Kay, so during the Chinese New Year, you can’t say lotsa things that are ‘inauspicious.’ So no being negative and going, “Aw man, this sucks,” “this is going to be bad,” or “I’m gonna die.” Especially the last one. You cannot say the word die during Chinese New Year, ‘cause it’s a bad omen. Also, seriously? It’s a freakin’ happy occasion and you’re spouting negative nonsense. I know I’ve been scolded for sayin’ negative shit during Chinese New Year, so here’s my guide on some nice four letter words - uh, I mean, four character phrases to say during the New Year. 

恭喜发财 - (gōng xǐ fā cái) It means, congrats! You made it through the new year without being eaten by the Nian! Oh yeah, and get rich, too.

新年快乐 - (xīn nián kuài lè) literally translated as new year happy, it pretty much means happy new year. The quintessential new year greeting.

万事如意 - (wan shi ru yi) literally translates as 10 000 go your way. May the 10 000 things you do go your way

吉祥如意 - (ji xiang ru yi) May all your wishes come true! 

学业进步 - (xue ye jin bu) It means may your studies improve!

年年有余 - (nian nian you yu) It means, may you have fish every year! Geddit, geddit? It’s a pun, ‘cause the last character means harvest but also fish, so it means may you have a bountiful harvest every year! (Or basically enough to eat, since we aren’t farmers anymore)

龙马精神 - (long ma jing shen) May you have the spirit of the dragon! And the horse, too!

生意形容 - (shen yi xin rong) May your business prosper, yo!

长命百岁 - (chang ming bai sui) ONLY say this to old people. Literally long life hundred years, so may you have a long life!

除旧布新 - (chu jiu bu xing) Google translate thinks it means BLOW AWAY ALL THE COBWEBS! But it’s out with the old, in with the new!

财源广进/财源滚滚- （cai yuan lai jin / cai yuan gun gun）It means may lotsa money come in, yo!

岁岁平安/平平安安 - (sui sui ping an/ping ping an an) May errbody be safe!

招财进宝 - (zhao cai jin bao) Come good fortune and treasure! LOL. I mean, May goof fortune and treasures come your way.

大吉大利 - (dà jí dà lì ) Big luck and big profit, literally. So may you experience a lot of luck and profit!

年年高升/步步高升 (nián nián gāo shēng / bu bu gao sheng) - may you rise up the corporate ladder!

身体健康  - (shē ntǐ jiàn kāng) May you have good health!

事事順利 - (shì shì shùn lì) May everything go smoothly

心想事成 - (xīn xiǎng shì chéng) May all your wishes come true!

笑口常开 -（xiào kǒu cháng kāi）- May you smile and be happy!

恭喜发财;红包拿来！（gong xi fa cai, hong bao na lai!）- children usually say this rhyme if they’re being cheeky. It means, “Happy New Year! Red Packets please!” Or, kay I said all the formalities so gimme my red packet already. 

Or… you could look at this pic below and learn a li’l bit more.

Happy Chinese New Year’s eve, errbody!