Chinese New Year Card Messages and Greetings

Chinese New Year card messages

Two greetings cover almost everything: 'Xin Nian Kuai Le' (happy new year, Mandarin) and 'Gong Hei Fat Choy' (wishing you prosperity, Cantonese). Either works written in English.

Messages traditionally wish prosperity, health and good fortune, and it's normal to name the zodiac animal of the year.

We don't print a dedicated Chinese New Year card yet, so this is a wording guide for a blank card or a handwritten note in a red envelope.

Cards and gifts to send with it

We don't print a dedicated Chinese New Year card yet. Blank-inside cards, candles and pin badges are designed and made in the UK.

Guinness themed thank you card with a pint of stout illustration and the pun text Tanks A Million. Tanks A Million (Guinness Themed Thank You Card) £3.87 Thank you and well done greeting card featuring a star design and the wording "You're a Star". You're a Star (Thank You or Well Done Card) £3.87 Thank you card showing an illustrated pint of Guinness with a cheeky message about celebrating with a stout. Thank You! (This Calls For a Guinness Thank You Card) £3.87 Thank You Gold Foil Velvet Greeting Card (A6) Thank You Gold Foil Velvet Greeting Card (A6) £4.49 Landscape thank you greeting card featuring vibrant, colourful letters spelling out "Thank You" for a colleague or friend. Thank You Card With Colourful Letters (Landscape) £3.87 Best Teacher Ever thank you greeting card featuring multiple school subjects in a modern typographic design. Best Teacher Ever (Multiple Subjects) Thank You Card For Teachers £3.87

Shop cards and gifts

Short greetings

  • Happy Chinese New Year.
  • Xin Nian Kuai Le - happy new year.
  • Gong Hei Fat Choy - wishing you prosperity.
  • Wishing you luck, health and happiness in the new year.
  • Happy Lunar New Year to you and your family.

Messages for family

  • Wishing you health and happiness in the year ahead. Happy new year.
  • May the new year bring our family together more often than the last one did.
  • Xin Nian Kuai Le - wishing you peace, health and a full table.
  • Thinking of you all at new year and wishing we were there to celebrate.

Messages for friends

  • Gong Hei Fat Choy. May this year be kinder and richer than the last.
  • Happy new year - here's to good luck, good food and good company.
  • Wishing you every success in the new year.
  • May the new year bring you everything you've been working towards.

Messages for colleagues and business

  • Wishing you and your team a prosperous new year.
  • Gong Hei Fat Choy - thank you for a great year of working together.
  • Wishing you success, growth and good fortune in the year ahead.
  • Happy Lunar New Year from all of us. Here's to another strong year.

Traditional wishes you can copy

  • Wishing you good health - Shen Ti Jian Kang.
  • Wishing you every wish fulfilled - Wan Shi Ru Yi.
  • Wishing you prosperity in the new year - Gong Xi Fa Cai.
  • Wishing you a peaceful year, in and out - Chu Ru Ping An.

Shop cards and gifts

How to write it so it lands

  • Red and gold are lucky; avoid writing in black-bordered or white cards, which are associated with mourning.
  • Naming the zodiac animal of the year is an easy way to personalise a message.
  • Post early - the date moves and often falls mid-week.

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Frequently asked questions

What do you write in a Chinese New Year card?

Start with 'Happy Chinese New Year', 'Xin Nian Kuai Le' or 'Gong Hei Fat Choy', then add a wish for health, prosperity or success. Short is traditional.

What's the difference between Gong Hei Fat Choy and Xin Nian Kuai Le?

'Gong Hei Fat Choy' is Cantonese and wishes prosperity. 'Xin Nian Kuai Le' is Mandarin for happy new year. Both are widely understood.

What is red envelope etiquette?

Red envelopes (hongbao or lai see) hold money and are given by married adults to children and unmarried younger relatives. Use crisp new notes, avoid amounts with a four, and give and receive with both hands.

When is Chinese New Year?

It falls on the new moon between 21 January and 20 February, so the date changes each year, and celebrations run for about fifteen days to the Lantern Festival.

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