As the Spring Festival (春节 Chūnjié) is coming soon, let’s look at some keywords you might use to talk about it in Chinese – and to wish a Happy New Year of the Dragon to your Chinese friends, colleagues, and family.

Spring Festival Vocab

01. Spring Festival

春节
Chūnjié
Spring Festival
(also known as the Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year)

02. The Date

The celebration of the holiday follows the lunar calendar (农历 nónglì), causing its date on the Gregorian or solar calendar (阳历 yánglì) to vary each year.

This year’s (春节 Chūnjié) falls on February 10, Saturday.

2024年二月十日
èr-líng-èr-sì nián èr yuè shí rì
February 10, 2024
(by the solar calendar)

正月初一
zhēngyuè chū yī
the 1st day of the 1st lunar month
(by the lunar calendar)

除夕
chúxī
Lunar New Year’s Eve

03. Year of the Dragon

There are 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, and this year’s zodiac animal is the Dragon (龙 lóng).

龙年
Lóng nián
Year of the Dragon

By now, the dragons are all around 🐲 Colorful, realistic, funny – have you taken a moment to notice the dragons around?

04. A Year Filled with Lóngevity!

In the upcoming year, lóngevity is anticipated, as the Dragon (龙 lóng) spreads its wings. Here are some 龙-related greetings you can share with your friends, colleagues, and family:

祝你在新的一年里:
Zhù nǐ zài xīn de yì nián lǐ:
In the new year, I wish you:

龙年大吉
Lóng nián dàjí
Good luck in the Year of the Dragon

生龙活虎，龙马精神
Shēnglóng huóhǔ, lóngmǎ jīngshén
A year filled with energy, spirit, and vitality

Happy New Year of the Dragon From That’s Mandarin！

Here’s to a New Year filled with happiness! Best wishes from That’s Mandarin!

新年快乐！
Xīnnián kuàilè!
Happy New Year!