How To Say Happy New Year In Chinese
Start with 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè, then sound more natural with 新年好 Xīnnián hǎo, 过年好 Guònián hǎo, and 春节快乐 Chūnjié kuàilè.
The first time I tried to text “Happy New Year” in Chinese, I did what most beginners do: I grabbed 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè, hit send, and hoped for the best. On January 1, that worked beautifully. A few weeks later, right before Spring Festival, I sent the exact same line again to a family group in China and suddenly noticed the replies looked warmer, more local, and way more alive: 过年好 Guònián hǎo, 春节快乐 Chūnjié kuàilè, 阖家欢乐 Héjiā huānlè.
That is the trick: Chinese does have a simple default, but the best New Year greeting changes with the holiday, your relationship, and the vibe. This guide gives you the easy answer first, then the useful answer—the one that helps you sound natural with friends, polite with elders, and not like a robot that swallowed a greeting card.
The One-Line Answer
If you want the safest default, use 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè. If it is specifically Lunar New Year in China, 春节快乐 Chūnjié kuàilè sounds extra on-point. With close friends and family around Spring Festival, 过年好 Guònián hǎo sounds warm and natural. Tiny phrases, huge payoff. Much better than sending only fireworks emoji and hoping culture fills in the rest.
When To Use Which Greeting
- January 1: 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè is the safest and most universal choice.
- Lunar New Year / Spring Festival: 春节快乐 Chūnjié kuàilè, 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè, and 过年好 Guònián hǎo all work.
- Friends and family: 新年好 Xīnnián hǎo and 过年好 Guònián hǎo feel friendly and spoken.
- Elders or respected people: start with 祝您 Zhù nín instead of 祝你 Zhù nǐ. That one little 您 nín does a lot of social heavy lifting.
The Top Greetings You Will Actually Use
新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè
Meaning: Happy New Year
Example: 新年快乐，祝你天天开心。
Xīnnián kuàilè, zhù nǐ tiāntiān kāixīn.
Happy New Year. I wish you happiness every day.
新年好 Xīnnián hǎo
Meaning: Happy New Year; New Year hello
Example: 新年好，最近怎么样？
Xīnnián hǎo, zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?
Happy New Year, how have you been lately?
过年好 Guònián hǎo
Meaning: Happy New Year; especially natural around Spring Festival
Example: 过年好，回来过节真热闹。
Guònián hǎo, huílái guòjié zhēn rènào.
Happy New Year—it is so lively to come home for the holiday.
春节快乐 Chūnjié kuàilè
Meaning: Happy Spring Festival
Example: 春节快乐，和家人好好团聚。
Chūnjié kuàilè, hé jiārén hǎohāo tuánjù.
Happy Spring Festival—enjoy your family reunion.
恭喜发财 Gōngxǐ fācái
Meaning: Wishing you prosperity
Example: 恭喜发财，红包拿来。
Gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo nálái.
Wishing you prosperity—now hand over the red envelope.
万事如意 Wànshì rúyì
Meaning: May everything go as you wish
Example: 新年快乐，万事如意。
Xīnnián kuàilè, wànshì rúyì.
Happy New Year—may everything go as you wish.
阖家欢乐 Héjiā huānlè
Meaning: Joy to the whole family
Example: 祝你阖家欢乐，年夜饭吃得开心。
Zhù nǐ héjiā huānlè, niányèfàn chī de kāixīn.
Wishing joy to your whole family and a happy reunion dinner.
身体健康 Shēntǐ jiànkāng
Meaning: Good health
Example: 祝爷爷奶奶身体健康，春节快乐。
Zhù yéye nǎinai shēntǐ jiànkāng, chūnjié kuàilè.
Wishing Grandma and Grandpa good health and a happy Spring Festival.
Useful Phrases And Real-Life Sentences
新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè — Happy New Year.
新年快乐，祝你天天开心。
Xīnnián kuàilè, zhù nǐ tiāntiān kāixīn.
Happy New Year. I wish you happiness every day.
新年好 Xīnnián hǎo — Happy New Year; a friendly hello.
新年好，最近一切都顺利吗？
Xīnnián hǎo, zuìjìn yíqiè dōu shùnlì ma?
Happy New Year—has everything been going smoothly lately?
过年好 Guònián hǎo — Happy New Year; especially natural around Spring Festival.
过年好，回来过节真热闹。
Guònián hǎo, huílái guòjié zhēn rènào.
Happy New Year—it is so lively to come home for the holiday.
春节快乐 Chūnjié kuàilè — Happy Spring Festival.
春节快乐，和家人好好吃顿饭吧。
Chūnjié kuàilè, hé jiārén hǎohāo chī dùn fàn ba.
Happy Spring Festival—have a good meal with your family.
恭喜发财 Gōngxǐ fācái — Wishing you prosperity.
恭喜发财，红包拿来。
Gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo nálái.
Wishing you prosperity—now hand over the red envelope.
阖家欢乐 Héjiā huānlè — Joy to the whole family.
祝你阖家欢乐，年夜饭吃得开心。
Zhù nǐ héjiā huānlè, niányèfàn chī de kāixīn.
Wishing joy to your whole family and a happy reunion dinner.
万事如意 Wànshì rúyì — May everything go as you wish.
新年快乐，万事如意。
Xīnnián kuàilè, wànshì rúyì.
Happy New Year—may everything go as you wish.
生意兴隆 Shēngyì xīnglóng — Business flourishes.
祝老板生意兴隆，客似云来。
Zhù lǎobǎn shēngyì xīnglóng, kèsìyúnlái.
Wishing the boss flourishing business and many customers.
学业进步 Xuéyè jìnbù — Progress in studies.
祝你学业进步，考试顺利。
Zhù nǐ xuéyè jìnbù, kǎoshì shùnlì.
Wishing you progress in your studies and smooth exams.
开工大吉 Kāigōng dàjí — Good luck on the first workday back.
开工大吉，今天一定顺顺利利。
Kāigōng dàjí, jīntiān yídìng shùnshùn lìlì.
Good luck on the first day back to work—may today go very smoothly.
新的一年，请多关照 Xīn de yì nián, qǐng duō guānzhào — In the new year, please continue to look after me.
新的一年，请多关照，我们一起努力。
Xīn de yì nián, qǐng duō guānzhào, wǒmen yìqǐ nǔlì.
In the new year, please continue to look after me; let’s work hard together.
红包拿来 Hóngbāo nálái — Hand over the red envelope.
叔叔阿姨，新年快乐，红包拿来。
Shūshu āyí, xīnnián kuàilè, hóngbāo nálái.
Uncle and Auntie, Happy New Year—hand over the red envelope.
A Quick Cultural Note That Saves You From The Classic Mix-Up
Outside China, people often say “Chinese New Year.” In China, many people call it 春节 Chūnjié, “Spring Festival.” That is why 春节快乐 Chūnjié kuàilè sounds so precise during Lunar New Year, while 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè works for both January 1 and the Spring Festival season. If you want the cultural background, Britannica’s overview of Chinese New Year and UNESCO’s Spring Festival page are both solid reads.
One more useful nuance: 恭喜发财 Gōngxǐ fācái does not literally mean “Happy New Year.” It means something closer to “wishing you prosperity.” It is festive, common, and fun—just a bit more specific.
Basic New Year Greetings Table
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 新年快乐 | Xīnnián kuàilè | Happy New Year | 新年快乐，祝你天天开心。 | Xīnnián kuàilè, zhù nǐ tiāntiān kāixīn. | Happy New Year. I wish you happiness every day. |
| 新年好 | Xīnnián hǎo | Happy New Year; New Year hello | 新年好，最近一切都顺利吗？ | Xīnnián hǎo, zuìjìn yíqiè dōu shùnlì ma? | Happy New Year—has everything been going smoothly lately? |
| 过年好 | Guònián hǎo | Happy New Year; especially natural around Spring Festival | 过年好，回来过节真热闹。 | Guònián hǎo, huílái guòjié zhēn rènào. | Happy New Year—it is so lively to come home for the holiday. |
| 春节快乐 | Chūnjié kuàilè | Happy Spring Festival | 春节快乐，和家人好好吃顿饭吧。 | Chūnjié kuàilè, hé jiārén hǎohāo chī dùn fàn ba. | Happy Spring Festival—have a good meal with your family. |
| 恭贺新年 | Gōnghè xīnnián | Congratulations on the New Year | 恭贺新年，愿你新的一年更精彩。 | Gōnghè xīnnián, yuàn nǐ xīn de yì nián gèng jīngcǎi. | Happy New Year—may your new year be even more wonderful. |
| 恭贺新禧 | Gōnghè xīnxǐ | Festive, formal New Year greeting | 恭贺新禧，阖家安康。 | Gōnghè xīnxǐ, héjiā ānkāng. | Happy New Year, and health to your whole family. |
| 拜年啦 | Bàinián la | I’m here to give New Year greetings | 我来给你拜年啦，新年快乐！ | Wǒ lái gěi nǐ bàinián la, xīnnián kuàilè! | I’m here to wish you a happy new year! |
| 给您拜年了 | Gěi nín bàinián le | Paying New Year respects to you | 给您拜年了，祝您身体健康。 | Gěi nín bàinián le, zhù nín shēntǐ jiànkāng. | Happy New Year to you—I wish you good health. |
| 新春快乐 | Xīnchūn kuàilè | Happy New Spring / Spring Festival | 新春快乐，愿好事接二连三。 | Xīnchūn kuàilè, yuàn hǎoshì jiē’èr-liánsān. | Happy Spring Festival—may good things keep coming. |
| 年年有余 | Niánnián yǒuyú | May you have abundance every year | 祝你年年有余，日子越过越好。 | Zhù nǐ niánnián yǒuyú, rìzi yuè guò yuè hǎo. | Wishing you abundance every year and a better life year after year. |
Prosperity Wishes Table
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 恭喜发财 | Gōngxǐ fācái | Wishing you prosperity | 恭喜发财，红包拿来。 | Gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo nálái. | Wishing you prosperity—now hand over the red envelope. |
| 财源广进 | Cáiyuán guǎngjìn | May wealth flow in | 祝你财源广进，生意越来越好。 | Zhù nǐ cáiyuán guǎngjìn, shēngyì yuèláiyuè hǎo. | May wealth flow in, and may business get better and better. |
| 大吉大利 | Dàjí dàlì | Great luck and great profit | 新的一年大吉大利，平平安安。 | Xīn de yì nián dàjí dàlì, píngpíng’ān’ān. | In the new year, may you have great luck and stay safe. |
| 吉祥如意 | Jíxiáng rúyì | Good luck and may all go as wished | 祝你吉祥如意，事事顺心。 | Zhù nǐ jíxiáng rúyì, shìshì shùnxīn. | Wishing you good luck and that everything suits your heart. |
| 万事如意 | Wànshì rúyì | May everything go as you wish | 新年快乐，万事如意。 | Xīnnián kuàilè, wànshì rúyì. | Happy New Year—may everything go as you wish. |
| 心想事成 | Xīnxiǎng shìchéng | May your wishes come true | 愿你心想事成，好梦成真。 | Yuàn nǐ xīnxiǎng shìchéng, hǎo mèng chéngzhēn. | May your wishes come true and your good dreams become real. |
| 鸿运当头 | Hóngyùn dāngtóu | May great luck be upon you | 祝你鸿运当头，开年就顺。 | Zhù nǐ hóngyùn dāngtóu, kāinián jiù shùn. | May great luck be with you, and may the year start smoothly. |
| 步步高升 | Bùbù gāoshēng | Rise higher step by step | 祝你步步高升，工作更上一层楼。 | Zhù nǐ bùbù gāoshēng, gōngzuò gèng shàng yì céng lóu. | May you rise higher step by step and do even better at work. |
| 金玉满堂 | Jīnyù mǎntáng | May your home be filled with wealth | 愿你金玉满堂，福气满门。 | Yuàn nǐ jīnyù mǎntáng, fúqì mǎn mén. | May your home be filled with wealth and blessings. |
| 好运连连 | Hǎoyùn liánlián | Good luck again and again | 新的一年好运连连，惊喜不断。 | Xīn de yì nián hǎoyùn liánlián, jīngxǐ búduàn. | In the new year, may good luck keep coming and surprises never stop. |
Family And Warmth Wishes Table
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 阖家欢乐 | Héjiā huānlè | Joy to the whole family | 祝你阖家欢乐，年夜饭吃得开心。 | Zhù nǐ héjiā huānlè, niányèfàn chī de kāixīn. | Wishing joy to your whole family and a happy reunion dinner. |
| 合家幸福 | Héjiā xìngfú | Happiness to the whole family | 新春快乐，合家幸福。 | Xīnchūn kuàilè, héjiā xìngfú. | Happy Spring Festival, and happiness to your whole family. |
| 阖家安康 | Héjiā ānkāng | Health to the whole family | 愿你阖家安康，平安顺遂。 | Yuàn nǐ héjiā ānkāng, píng’ān shùnsuì. | May your whole family be healthy, safe, and smooth. |
| 平安喜乐 | Píng’ān xǐlè | Peace and joy | 祝你新的一年平安喜乐。 | Zhù nǐ xīn de yì nián píng’ān xǐlè. | Wishing you peace and joy in the new year. |
| 身体健康 | Shēntǐ jiànkāng | Good health | 祝爷爷奶奶身体健康，春节快乐。 | Zhù yéye nǎinai shēntǐ jiànkāng, chūnjié kuàilè. | Wishing Grandma and Grandpa good health and a happy Spring Festival. |
| 天天好心情 | Tiāntiān hǎo xīnqíng | Good mood every day | 愿你天天好心情，烦恼都走开。 | Yuàn nǐ tiāntiān hǎo xīnqíng, fánnǎo dōu zǒu kāi. | May you be in a good mood every day and leave your worries behind. |
| 笑口常开 | Xiàokǒu chángkāi | May you smile often | 新年里笑口常开，好运自然来。 | Xīnnián lǐ xiàokǒu chángkāi, hǎoyùn zìrán lái. | Smile often in the new year, and good luck will come naturally. |
| 团团圆圆 | Tuántuán yuányuán | Full family reunion | 过年最重要的就是团团圆圆。 | Guònián zuì zhòngyào de jiù shì tuántuán yuányuán. | The most important thing about the New Year is family reunion. |
| 幸福美满 | Xìngfú měimǎn | Happiness and contentment | 祝你们一家幸福美满，天天有笑声。 | Zhù nǐmen yìjiā xìngfú měimǎn, tiāntiān yǒu xiàoshēng. | Wishing your family happiness, contentment, and daily laughter. |
| 福气满满 | Fúqì mǎnmǎn | Full of blessings | 愿你今年福气满满，顺顺当当。 | Yuàn nǐ jīnnián fúqì mǎnmǎn, shùnshùn dāngdāng. | May this year be full of blessings and go smoothly for you. |
Work And Study Wishes Table
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 事业顺利 | Shìyè shùnlì | Smooth career | 祝你事业顺利，机会越来越多。 | Zhù nǐ shìyè shùnlì, jīhuì yuèláiyuè duō. | Wishing you a smooth career and more and more opportunities. |
| 工作顺利 | Gōngzuò shùnlì | Smooth work | 新年快乐，工作顺利，少加点班。 | Xīnnián kuàilè, gōngzuò shùnlì, shǎo jiā diǎn bān. | Happy New Year—may work go smoothly, and may you work a little less overtime. |
| 生意兴隆 | Shēngyì xīnglóng | Business flourishes | 祝老板生意兴隆，客似云来。 | Zhù lǎobǎn shēngyì xīnglóng, kèsìyúnlái. | Wishing the boss flourishing business and many customers. |
| 学业进步 | Xuéyè jìnbù | Progress in studies | 祝你学业进步，考试顺利。 | Zhù nǐ xuéyè jìnbù, kǎoshì shùnlì. | Wishing you progress in your studies and smooth exams. |
| 前程似锦 | Qiánchéng sìjǐn | A bright future | 愿你前程似锦，走到哪里都发光。 | Yuàn nǐ qiánchéng sìjǐn, zǒu dào nǎli dōu fāguāng. | May your future be bright and may you shine wherever you go. |
| 升职加薪 | Shēngzhí jiāxīn | Promotion and a raise | 新的一年升职加薪，梦想更近一步。 | Xīn de yì nián shēngzhí jiāxīn, mèngxiǎng gèng jìn yí bù. | In the new year, may you get promoted, get a raise, and move closer to your dreams. |
| 梦想成真 | Mèngxiǎng chéngzhēn | May dreams come true | 愿你梦想成真，不白熬每一个早起。 | Yuàn nǐ mèngxiǎng chéngzhēn, bù bái áo měi yí gè zǎoqǐ. | May your dreams come true and may none of your early mornings be wasted. |
| 一帆风顺 | Yīfán fēngshùn | Smooth sailing | 祝你一帆风顺，做什么都顺手。 | Zhù nǐ yīfán fēngshùn, zuò shénme dōu shùnshǒu. | Wishing you smooth sailing and ease in everything you do. |
| 开工大吉 | Kāigōng dàjí | Good luck on the first workday back | 开工大吉，今天一定顺顺利利。 | Kāigōng dàjí, jīntiān yídìng shùnshùn lìlì. | Good luck on the first day back to work—may today go very smoothly. |
| 学习顺利 | Xuéxí shùnlì | Smooth studying | 祝你学习顺利，天天都有新收获。 | Zhù nǐ xuéxí shùnlì, tiāntiān dōu yǒu xīn shōuhuò. | Wishing your studies go smoothly and bring new gains every day. |
Message-Ready Lines Table
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 祝你新年快乐 | Zhù nǐ xīnnián kuàilè | Wish you a happy new year | 祝你新年快乐，我们明年见。 | Zhù nǐ xīnnián kuàilè, wǒmen míngnián jiàn. | Wishing you a happy new year—see you next year. |
| 祝您新春快乐 | Zhù nín xīnchūn kuàilè | Wish you a happy Spring Festival | 祝您新春快乐，万事顺意。 | Zhù nín xīnchūn kuàilè, wànshì shùnyì. | Wishing you a happy Spring Festival and that everything goes smoothly. |
| 祝你新的一年顺顺利利 | Zhù nǐ xīn de yì nián shùnshùn lìlì | Wishing you a smooth new year | 祝你新的一年顺顺利利，少点烦心事。 | Zhù nǐ xīn de yì nián shùnshùn lìlì, shǎo diǎn fánxīn shì. | Wishing you a smooth new year with fewer worries. |
| 祝你新的一年平安顺遂 | Zhù nǐ xīn de yì nián píng’ān shùnsuì | Wish you peace and smoothness in the new year | 祝你新的一年平安顺遂，所求皆得。 | Zhù nǐ xīn de yì nián píng’ān shùnsuì, suǒ qiú jiē dé. | Wishing you peace and a smooth year, getting what you seek. |
| 愿你新的一年所愿皆成 | Yuàn nǐ xīn de yì nián suǒ yuàn jiē chéng | May all your wishes come true in the new year | 愿你新的一年所愿皆成，喜乐常在。 | Yuàn nǐ xīn de yì nián suǒ yuàn jiē chéng, xǐlè cháng zài. | May all your wishes come true in the new year, with joy always around you. |
| 新的一年，继续加油 | Xīn de yì nián, jìxù jiāyóu | In the new year, keep it up | 新的一年，继续加油，你真的很行。 | Xīn de yì nián, jìxù jiāyóu, nǐ zhēn de hěn xíng. | In the new year, keep going—you really can do this. |
| 新的一年，请多关照 | Xīn de yì nián, qǐng duō guānzhào | In the new year, please continue to look after me | 新的一年，请多关照，我们一起努力。 | Xīn de yì nián, qǐng duō guānzhào, wǒmen yìqǐ nǔlì. | In the new year, please continue to look after me; let’s work hard together. |
| 红包拿来 | Hóngbāo nálái | Hand over the red envelope | 叔叔阿姨，新年快乐，红包拿来。 | Shūshu āyí, xīnnián kuàilè, hóngbāo nálái. | Uncle and Auntie, Happy New Year—hand over the red envelope. |
| 过年吃好喝好 | Guònián chī hǎo hē hǎo | Eat and drink well during the New Year | 过年吃好喝好，别客气。 | Guònián chī hǎo hē hǎo, bié kèqi. | Eat and drink well during the holiday—don’t be shy. |
| 新年快乐，万事顺意 | Xīnnián kuàilè, wànshì shùnyì | Happy New Year; may everything go smoothly | 新年快乐，万事顺意，我们都越来越好。 | Xīnnián kuàilè, wànshì shùnyì, wǒmen dōu yuèláiyuè hǎo. | Happy New Year—may everything go smoothly, and may we all keep getting better. |
Which Phrase Fits Which Person
| Situation | Best Phrase | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Close friend | 新年好 Xīnnián hǎo | Friendly, easy, and natural. |
| Family group chat | 过年好 Guònián hǎo | Warm and festive around Spring Festival. |
| Elder or respected relative | 祝您新春快乐 Zhù nín xīnchūn kuàilè | 您 nín sounds more respectful than 你 nǐ. |
| Boss or client | 恭贺新禧 Gōnghè xīnxǐ | More formal and polished. |
| Business owner | 生意兴隆 Shēngyì xīnglóng | Directly wishes success in business. |
| Student | 学业进步 Xuéyè jìnbù | A practical, common wish for study success. |
| First day back at work | 开工大吉 Kāigōng dàjí | Perfect after the holiday break. |
| Playful red-envelope moment | 红包拿来 Hóngbāo nálái | Funny and common with kids or joking adults. |
Common Mistakes And Fast Fixes
- Using 春节快乐 Chūnjié kuàilè on January 1: save it for Spring Festival. For January 1, stick with 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè.
- Thinking 恭喜发财 Gōngxǐ fācái means exactly “Happy New Year”: it really means “wishing you prosperity.” Great phrase, slightly different target.
- Using 你 nǐ with elders when you want to sound respectful: upgrade to 您 nín.
- Going too formal with close friends: 新年好 Xīnnián hǎo and 过年好 Guònián hǎo often feel warmer than a giant ceremonial sentence.
- Sending only one phrase forever: start with 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè, then add one useful wish like 身体健康 Shēntǐ jiànkāng or 万事如意 Wànshì rúyì.
Quick Reference Summary
- Safest all-purpose line: 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè
- Natural with friends around Spring Festival: 过年好 Guònián hǎo
- Most precise for Lunar New Year: 春节快乐 Chūnjié kuàilè
- Best for elders: 祝您新春快乐 Zhù nín xīnchūn kuàilè
- Best prosperity wish: 恭喜发财 Gōngxǐ fācái
- Best extra add-on: 万事如意 Wànshì rúyì or 身体健康 Shēntǐ jiànkāng
Yak Tip Before You Hit Send
You do not need a 25-word masterpiece. A simple two-part message sounds great: 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè + one wish. Try 新年快乐，万事如意 Xīnnián kuàilè, wànshì rúyì or 春节快乐，阖家欢乐 Chūnjié kuàilè, héjiā huānlè. That is enough to sound warm, natural, and very much like a person instead of a machine-translated holiday mug.
FAQ
Can I Use 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè For Both January 1 And Lunar New Year?
Yes. 新年快乐 Xīnnián kuàilè works for both. If you want to sound more specific during Spring Festival, use 春节快乐 Chūnjié kuàilè.
What Is The Most Natural Way To Say Happy New Year To Friends?
For friends, 新年好 Xīnnián hǎo is easy and natural. Around Spring Festival, 过年好 Guònián hǎo sounds especially warm.
Does 恭喜发财 Gōngxǐ fācái Mean Happy New Year?
Not exactly. 恭喜发财 Gōngxǐ fācái means you are wishing someone prosperity and wealth. It is common during New Year season, but it is more specific than a plain “Happy New Year.”
How Do I Text An Elder Politely?
Use 您 nín instead of 你 nǐ. A safe message is 祝您新春快乐，身体健康 Zhù nín xīnchūn kuàilè, shēntǐ jiànkāng — “Wishing you a happy Spring Festival and good health.”
