元旦快乐
Yuándàn kuàilè
Happy new year's day · trad. 元旦快樂
元旦快乐 (Yuándàn kuàilè) is a greeting used to wish someone a Happy New Year's Day. It is specifically for January 1st, which is a public holiday in China.
What does 元旦快乐 (Yuándàn kuàilè) mean?
元旦快乐 (Yuándàn kuàilè) means “happy New Year's day” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “New Year's Day happy.”
When to use it
Neutral and friendly. While 元旦快乐 is specific to January 1st, 新年快乐 (xīnnián kuàilè) is a more general greeting that works for both New Year's Day and the Lunar New Year (Spring Festival). You can simply reply with 元旦快乐 back.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “ywen-DAHN KWHY-luh.” 元 rises (second tone), 旦 falls, and 快乐 is two falling tones, with 乐 often said lightly.
Other ways to say it
- 新年快乐xīnnián kuàilèHappy New Year (for both Jan 1st and Lunar New Year)
- 祝你元旦快乐zhù nǐ yuándàn kuàilèWish you a Happy New Year's Day
- 新年好xīnnián hǎoHappy New Year (casual greeting)
Examples
元旦快乐！新年好！
yuándàn kuàilè! xīnnián hǎo!
Happy New Year's Day! Happy New Year!
祝大家元旦快乐！
zhù dàjiā yuándàn kuàilè!
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year's Day!
元旦快乐，我们明天见。
yuándàn kuàilè, wǒmen míngtiān jiàn.
Happy New Year's Day, see you tomorrow.
Pro tip: 元旦 (Yuándàn) is January 1st, a short public holiday. The big family celebration is the Lunar New Year (Spring Festival), which falls later.
Related phrases
新年快乐 · Happy new year腊八节 · Laba festival圣诞节 · Christmas
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