During the Chinese New Year, you will hear people greeting one another with “Kung Hei Fat Choy” or “Gōngxǐ fācái”, which means wishing you happiness and prosperity. As little children, we were taught to greet our elders this way. In return, we would receive lucky money in red envelopes.
Other popular new year greetings are:
| Phrase | Cantonese | Mandarin |
| Happy New Year | Sun Nin Faai Lok | Xīnnián kuàilè |
| Wishing you health | Sun Tai Geen Hong | Shēntǐ jiànkāng |
| Wishing you surplus year after year | Nin nin yau yue | Niánnián yǒuyú |
| Wishing you great luck and prosperity | Nin nin yau yue | Dàjí dàlì |
No matter how you say it, best wishes for the year of the dog.
