Learning how to talk about Christmas and New Year in Chinese is a great topic not only for language learners, but also for anyone curious about how Western holidays are perceived in China. Although Christmas isn’t a traditional Chinese holiday, in recent years it has become increasingly visible in major cities, mostly as part of modern, urban culture. That makes it a perfect opportunity to combine Chinese language learning, interesting customs and practical vocabulary you can start using straight away.
How Christmas Is Celebrated in China
While Christmas is not a traditional holiday, it has become quite noticeable in big cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen. Unlike the Western idea of Christmas, in China it is seen mainly as a commercial event and an occasion for fun rather than a religious or family celebration. Shopping malls, cafés and restaurants are covered with bright lights, large Christmas trees and festive decorations throughout December, while brands use the season for promotions and holiday campaigns.
Christmas Eve, known as 平安夜 (píng’ān yè), is usually a romantic occasion in China. Couples go out in the evening, stroll under festive lights, and exchange small gifts. One of the most special customs is giving “peace apples”, 平安果 (píng’ān guǒ). In Chinese the word 平安 (píng’ān), meaning “peace”, sounds similar to 苹果 (píngguǒ) — “apple”. For this reason, the apple symbolises peace and good fortune for the person receiving it.
And while large cities may feature decorated shop windows, workshops and modern holiday events, in smaller towns Christmas often passes almost unnoticed. In short, Christmas in China is above all an urban and modern phenomenon rather than a religious holiday. Still, through Chinese Christmas and New Year customs, you can easily learn new vocabulary and get a glimpse into contemporary culture.
How Chinese People View the Western New Year
Unlike Christmas, the Western New Year, 1st January, is an official public holiday in China. Even so, it is nowhere near as significant as the Spring Festival (Chūnjié), the traditional Chinese New Year. However, younger generations gladly embrace activities and customs inspired by the West. In major cities you’ll find public countdown events, concerts and celebrations, while restaurants and shopping centres offer special promotions.
For many Chinese people, New Year’s Eve is an opportunity to go out, enjoy parties and spend time with friends or family. The atmosphere is lively and bright, often with fireworks and decorations, but without the traditional dishes and customs associated with the Chinese New Year.
Seen this way, the Western New Year in China is mainly a festive, social holiday, a fun moment that also makes it ideal for learning Chinese phrases linked to celebrations and understanding how young people in China blend tradition with modern life.
Christmas and New Year Vocabulary
Learning Chinese through holiday themes becomes even more enjoyable when you can immediately use the new words and phrases. Below is an overview of the most useful vocabulary related to Christmas and the Western New Year.
Vocabulary Table
| 汉字 | Pinyin | Meaning |
| 圣诞节 | Shèngdàn Jié | Christmas |
| 圣诞树 | Shèngdàn shù | Christmas tree |
| 礼物 | lǐwù | Gift |
| 装饰 | zhuāngshì | Decoration |
| 彩灯 | cǎidēng | Fairy lights |
| 雪人 | xuěrén | Snowman |
| 圣诞老人 | Shèngdàn Lǎorén | Santa Claus |
| 新年 | xīnnián | New Year |
| 元旦 | Yuándàn | 1st January (Western New Year) |
| 倒计时 | dào jì shí | Countdown |
| 烟花 | yānhuā | Fireworks |
| 派对 | pàiduì | Party |
| 节日 | jiérì | Holiday |
| 庆祝 | qìngzhù | To celebrate |
| 平安夜 | píng’ān yè | Christmas Eve |
| 平安果 | píng’ān guǒ | “Peace apple” |
How to Say “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” in Chinese
Here are some common ways to wish someone a happy holiday in Chinese:
- 圣诞快乐！(Shèngdàn kuàilè!) — Merry Christmas!
- 节日快乐！(Jiérì kuàilè!) — Happy holidays!
- 新年快乐！(Xīnnián kuàilè!) — Happy New Year!
- 祝你新年快乐！(Zhù nǐ xīnnián kuàilè!) — Wishing you a happy New Year!
Below are a few short dialogues showing how people typically exchange holiday greetings in Chinese:
Dialogue 1 — Christmas
A: 圣诞快乐！(Shèngdàn kuàilè!) — Merry Christmas!
B: 谢谢！也祝你快乐！(Xièxie! Yě zhù nǐ kuàilè!) — Thank you! Same to you!
A: 今天有什么计划吗？(Jīntiān yǒu shénme jìhuà ma?) — Do you have any plans today?
B: 和朋友一起吃饭。(Hé péngyou yìqǐ chīfàn.) — I’m having dinner with friends.
Dialogue 2 — New Year
A: 新年快乐！(Xīnnián kuàilè!) — Happy New Year!
B: 新年快乐！祝你身体健康！(Xīnnián kuàilè! Zhù nǐ shēntǐ jiànkāng!) — Happy New Year! Wishing you good health!
A: 今晚看不看烟花？(Jīnwǎn kàn bu kàn yānhuā?) — Are you watching the fireworks tonight?
B: 当然看！(Dāngrán kàn!) — Of course!
Bonus: Free Flashcards and Extra Materials
To make learning Chinese through holiday themes even more practical, I’ve prepared free flashcards containing all essential Christmas and New Year vocabulary. They include characters, pinyin and English translation, a perfect tool for quick revision and memorisation.
You can use them as a mini cheat sheet during holiday conversations or while writing greeting messages in Chinese. The flashcards are available as a free PDF, simply click the link and you’re ready to start learning!
Holiday Chinese in Everyday Use
Christmas and New Year in China offer a unique chance to discover aspects of Chinese culture while learning useful festive expressions. Although these holidays are not traditional, their modern, urban character makes them an excellent way to combine language learning with cultural insight.
Don’t forget to download your free flashcards so you can easily revise all new words and phrases at home. Follow the blog for more lessons and interesting topics on Chinese language and culture — every new post is an opportunity to learn something practical and fun!