Have you ever wondered what to say to your Chinese friends during Chinese New Year? And what to write on the cards without sounding bland? Have you noticed that all the messages are only four characters long? The rapidly approaching Spring Festival in China is the time messages of goodwill are used at a higher frequency. Learning the right words and the intended target people should be easy and fun. And now is a better time as any.

 

新年快乐(happy new year): Xin(1) nian(2) kuai(4) le(4)

万事如意(everything goes well): wan(4) shi (4) ru(2) yi(4)

年年有余( Having more than you need every year): nian(2) nian(2) you(3) yu(2)

 

身体健康(good health): shen(2)ti(3) jian(4) kang(2)

出入平安(Safe trip wherever you go): chu(4) ru(4) ping(2) an(1)

长命百岁(longevity): chang(2) ming(4) bai (3)sui (4)

 

生意兴隆(brisk business): sheng(1)yi(4) xing(1) long(2)

财源广进(fortunes will find you): cai(2) yuan(2) guang(3) jin(4)

鸿图大展(prosperous development) : hong(2)tu(2) da(4) zhan(3)

 

茁壮成长(healthy and strong growth): zhuo(2) zhuang(4) cheng(2) zhang(3)

学习进步(study improvement): xue(2) xi(2) jin(4) bu(4)

 

家庭和睦(harmonious family): jia(1) ting(2) he(2) mu(4)

 

Photo : Clemence Jiang (cover photo), and kenneoh, Cakey, Anton_ua, Konstantin Yolshin and RobW (Flickr)