Christmas is widely celebrated around the world. You can spend the holiday with your family, significant other, or friends wishing everyone a “Merry Christmas and a Fruitful New Year.”
Christmas trees, lights, carol-singing, and Christmas songs like ‘Jingle Bells’ are part of the Chinese Christmas traditions. People celebrate Christmas time differently. Some people believe in the Santa Claus myth, others light up a Christmas tree, and the rest also decorate their house with a light that makes their home fun and merry.
The Christmas season is about giving gifts, exchanging cards, and sending Christmas greetings and special thoughts to our loved ones. Christmas in China is spectacular because most people greet “Merry Christmas” in various ways.
Chinese culture celebrates Christmas to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ in a very conventional way, just like other people celebrate Christmas time.
If you want to learn Chinese language, which is useful during the holiday season, then saying “Merry Christmas” in Chinese will be fun and exciting because there are various ways to tell them.
Although you are not a native speaker, you can quickly learn these words and enjoy the festive spirit of Christmas with the right Chinese language school
Christmas in Chinese
Just like any other holiday, the Christmas celebration is essential among young Chinese people, and not just children enjoy the religious festival that is considered a public holiday worldwide.
You may often think that the Chinese people may have a different way of celebrating Christmas compared to Western countries, but when you know how to greet each other in Chinese, you can say that it is not that different. People in mainland China say “Merry Christmas” in many ways. They greet each other with a smile on their faces. Big cities in China also enjoy celebrating with their loved ones and friends.
It is a common practice for people worldwide to celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December. In addition to exchanging gifts, people will also exchange well-wishes. All share the anticipation of opening up brand new gifts and treats, but it is solid among children.
In a twist on the Western Valentine’s Day tradition, Chinese couples spend Christmas day indulging in movie marathons and other romantic pursuits. The Chinese Christmas celebrations may differ from those in your home country.
Christmas Celebration
Christians in China will celebrate Christmas by attending church and exchanging holiday greetings. The group will watch a dance and theatre performance based on the Christmas carol, like ‘Silent Night’ or ‘Peaceful Evening’ (or Christmas Eve 平安夜). When speaking Chinese, one says Shènɡdànjié kuàilè (圣诞节快乐), meaning “Merry Christmas,” to express Christmas cheer.
Apple Eating Culture
Traditional Chinese Christmas practices, such as the consumption of “Christmas fruit,” are only one example of how the Chinese have infused their own culture into the holiday. Is there a name for this thing?
Apples, known as “Christmas fruit” or Shèngdàn guǒ (圣诞果), are the most popular present during the Chinese holiday because the Chinese term for apple sounds similar to the English phrase “Christmas Eve” or Shèngdàn yè (圣诞夜). It was chosen as the official Christmas fruit. Common apples are transformed into high-priced presents with the help of fancy wrapping.
As the Mandarin pronunciation of apple sounds similar to Christmas Eve, the Chinese have also developed a tradition of exchanging apples as Christmas presents. They could present gifts of apples on festive paper with seasonal designs or words like “Merry Christmas” or a picture of Santa Claus.
Christmas Songs
Christmas music can also be sung. Songs are the best method to wish each other a Christmas special and express delight, excitement, and happiness. Despite China’s tiny Christian population, shopping malls organise carol-singing to celebrate Christmas.
This is how the Chinese celebrate Christmas and wish each other well. All Christians desire to celebrate the birth of Christ in the most special, memorable way possible. So, have fun!
Christmas Words in Chinese
Here are some Chinese Christmas terms to know before welcoming people.
Chinese Characters — Pinyin — English Meaning
圣诞节 – shèng dàn jié – Christmas
圣诞礼物 – shèng dàn lǐ wù – Christmas gifts/presents
圣诞礼物 – shèng dàn lǐ wù – Christmas gifts/presents
耶稣 – yē sū – Jesus Christ
苹果 – pínɡ ɡuǒ – apple
拐杖糖 – guǎi zhàng táng – candy cane
圣诞卡 – shèng dàn kǎ – Christmas card
圣诞歌 – shèng dàn gē – Christmas carol
天使 – tiān shǐ – angel
麋鹿 – mí lù – elk or reindeer
姜饼屋 – jiāng bǐng wū – gingerbread house
报佳音 – bào jiā yīn – caroling
12 Holiday Season’s Greetings & Wishes: How to say in Chinese?
Indeed, Christmas is not a nationally recognised holiday in mainland China. Still, since the Gǎigé kāifàng (改革开放) economic reform and opening-up policy, the Chinese have become more accepting of and enthusiastic about celebrating the holiday. However, Macau, which the Portuguese heavily influenced, celebrates this day as a public holiday.
Chinese Christmases are celebrated with a unique twist. While many of these practices are interesting, others may need some clarification. In the West, Christmas is celebrated by getting together with loved ones. Still, in China, the holiday is more commonly observed by going out with friends to watch a movie or karaoke bar or do Christmas shopping.
Now that we’ve satisfied your curiosity, it’s time to learn some traditional Chinese Christmas greetings.
Merry Christmas!
圣诞节快乐！- Shèngdàn Jié kuàilè!
Does “Merry Christmas” in Chinese translate well into your native language? Here, you’ll find the proper pronunciation explained. To be merry is to be happy, celebratory, and upbeat. Using this phrase, you send someone a happy, festive Christmas!
Warm wishes!
致以温馨的祝福！- Zhìyǐ wēnxīn de zhùfú!
A casual, cordial remark to include in Chinese Christmas cards, particularly for nonreligious acquaintances who may not otherwise participate in the party. Expressions of kindness and goodwill are expected at this time of year, and these warm wishes capture that spirit perfectly.
Happy holidays!
节日快乐！- Jiérì kuàilè!
China is filled with holidays—Christmas is one. If you forget the specific Chinese characters, this is a good generic alternative to “Merry Christmas!” in Chinese.
Happy birthday, Jesus!
耶诞快乐! – Yē dàn kuài lè!
Christian Mandarin speakers might receive a religious Christmas greeting.
Yē dàn kuài lè!is a Christmas greeting for Christians. “Jesus” is shortened to 耶稣 (yē sū). These Chinese letters don’t imply anything but are used to transliterate “Jesus”, and other names mean “Happy birthday, Jesus.”
Season’s greetings and warm wishes!
致以节日的问候与温馨的祝福! – Zhì yǐ jiérì de wènhòu yǔ wēnxīn de zhùfú!
Here’s another secular way to send holiday cheer. “Warm Wishes” can be written as 致以温馨的祝福 (zhì yǐ wēnxīn de zhùfú) or “Season’s Greetings” as 致以节日的问候 (zhì yǐ jiérì de wènhòu) when sending your greetings via messaging.
Have a great winter vacation!
寒假快乐！- Hánjià kuàilè!
If you know someone who does not celebrate Christmas or any other religious occasion, this is a handy phrase to have on hand! This, however, will only work in the Northern hemisphere, where winter predominates throughout Christmas.
Enjoy the holidays!
好好享受假期! – Hǎohao xiǎngshòu jiàqī!
When you go away for a trip this season, your friend will most likely greet you with ‘hǎohao xiǎngshòu jiàqī!’ It is also essential to learn this phrase because you will encounter many people along the way.
Happy New Year!
新年快乐！- Xīnnián kuàilè!
This is a way of greeting someone with a “Happy New Year!” in Chinese. Depending on their calendar, this is still applicable as it does not offend anyone. You are just simply greeting them to do well and be happy in the coming year.
Best wishes for the holidays!
献上最诚挚的节日祝福! – Xiàn shàng zuì chéng zhì de jié rì zhùfú!
This is another way to wish someone well in the New Year if they observe a Gregorian calendar. New Year’s day would then fall on the 1st of January.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
圣诞 快乐，恭贺新禧！- Shèng dàn kuài lè, gōng hè xīn xǐ!
A common way to say your Christmas greetings is by using these phrases. It is a way to acknowledge the birth of Jesus and simultaneously embrace the new year coming your way.
May all your wishes come true!
心想事成! – Xīn xiǎng shì chéng!
If you want to wish someone well in their life, say ‘Xīn xiǎng shì chéng’ in Chinese. Chinese people love it when you say something like this to them because it motivates them to work hard.
I hope all your New Year’s dreams come true!
愿你所有的新年梦想都成真！ – Yuàn nǐ suǒyǒu de xīnnián xiǎng dōu chéng zhēn!
Each of us has a new year’s resolution and goal to achieve. A way to wish someone to be successful in the following year is by greeting them using this sentence. Try it! And you will see just how you changed their lives.
Conclusion
Sending Chinese Christmas greetings to someone is one thing you should learn to enjoy the moment. Learning Chinese is quite challenging, but with the right language school and teacher, you can learn it swiftly and speak fluently.
