Chinese New Year Card Messages and Greetings

September 9, 2026

Writing a Chinese new year card is a wonderful way to send wishes of prosperity and good fortune to your loved ones. Whether you are looking for traditional lunar new year greetings or need a specific Chinese new year greeting card message for family and friends, we have gathered the best options. This guide will help you find the right words to write in your card or Chinese new year letter.

You're in the right place for chinese New Year card messages. There are 21 ready-to-copy lines on this page, grouped into short greetings, messages for family and messages for friends, plus more below - pick one, change a detail so it sounds like you, and you're done.

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.

Short greetings

If you want to keep your message sweet and simple, these short happy chinese new year greetings are perfect. They fit beautifully inside Chinese greeting cards or on a gift tag. These quick wishes are ideal when you want to send a burst of joy and prosperity without writing a lengthy note, making them versatile options for anyone on your list.

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

When writing inside Chinese new year greeting cards for your family, warmth and connection are key. Whether you are celebrating together or sending love from afar, a heartfelt message shows how much you care. Use these family-focused wishes to express your hopes for their health, happiness, and peace in the coming year, keeping traditional values close to heart.

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

Sending warm wishes to your closest friends is a great way to celebrate the season. These cny greetings are designed to bring a smile to their faces, focusing on shared joy, good food, and future successes. Choose one of these friendly options to write in your card to wish them a lucky, happy, and prosperous year ahead.

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

Maintaining professional relationships during the festive season is highly valued. These lunar new year greetings are tailored specifically for colleagues, clients, and business partners. They offer a polite and respectful way to wish them prosperity and growth while showing appreciation for your working relationship over the past year, ensuring you strike the perfect professional tone.

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

For a more authentic touch, you can include traditional phrases in your Chinese new year card greetings. Writing wishes like shen ti jian kang wan shi ru yi shows a deep respect for cultural traditions. These time-honoured expressions of health, prosperity, and peace are a wonderful way to add meaningful depth to your handwritten notes.

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.

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.

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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