Are you looking for Chinese New Year greetings for the Year of the Rabbit that are a little funkier than traditional ones like 恭喜发财 (gōngxǐ fācái: Wishing you prosperity) or 新年快乐 (xīnnián kuàilè: Happy new year)? You’ve come to the right place!

DON’T BE AFRAID OF GETTING ‘PUNNY’ IN THE YEAR OF THE BUNNY!

In fact, the Lunar New Year is THE time when puns are always excused.

Puns are, of course, jokes that play with words that sound alike, but which may have different meanings. You know, the kind of jokes that Dads like to make!

In the Year of the Rabbit, that word is (tù), meaning “rabbit”.

HOW TO WRITE tù

If you squint a bit, 兔 actually looks like a rabbit.

Chinese New Year Greetings for the Year of the Rabbit

Let’s get to these greetings already! OK, OK!

If you want to show off, why not draw your greetings on square pieces of red paper and make your own 春联 (Chūnlián) Spring Couplets, just like these super-cute ones done by our Taiwan-based artist Ching Yi 姐姐?

兔飞猛进

tù fēi měng jìn

A play on:

突飞猛进 (tū fēi měng jìn)

Literally: Suddenly fly, fierce entry

Meaning: Advance by leaps and bounds

So replacing 突 (tū: sudden) with 兔 () is like wishing someone’s fortune advances like a very speedy rabbit.

扬眉兔气

yáng méi tù qì

A play on:

扬眉吐气 (yáng méi tù qì)

Literally: Raise the eyebrows, let out the air

Meaning: The feeling of relief, after getting through a tough period 

So replacing (tù: expel, let out, spit) with 兔 () is wishing someone happiness and calm after challenging times, i.e. so that they are no longer scared rabbits.

发奋兔强

fā fèn tù qiáng

A play on:

发奋图强 (fā fèn tú qiáng)

Literally: Work hard, strong picture

Meaning: To be determined to work hard to achieve a strong vision

So replacing (: picture) with 兔 () is to wish someone the determination to achieve their goals… like, um, plundering Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden?

前兔似锦

qián tù sì jǐn

A play on:

前途似锦 (qián tú sì jǐn)

Literally: The future is like a brocade (fancy embroidered fabric)

Meaning: A bright and beautiful path ahead

So replacing  (: path) with 兔 () is to wish someone beautifully bunny days ahead. (Groan!)

兔一片光明

Qián tù yī piàn guāng míng

A play on:

前途一片光明 (Qiántú yīpiàn guāngmíng)

Literally: The future is a slice of brightness

Meaning: The future is very bright

So replacing  (: path) with 兔 () is to wish someone a future that’s bright and ‘hoppy’. (Arrrgh!)

鸿兔大展

Hóng dà zhǎn

A play on:

鸿图大展 (Hóngtú dà zhǎn)

Literally: Exhibiting a grand picture

Meaning:Unveiling an ambitious project or plan

Replacing 图 (: picture) with 兔 () is like congratulating someone for displaying their grand vision… because eating carrots give you good eyesight, and bunnies eat lots of carrots. (You’ve never seen a rabbit wearing glasses, have you?)

And now for a couple of really silly Chinese New Year greetings for the Year of the Rabbit:

把钱『兔』出来

Bǎ qián “tù” chūlái

A play on:

把钱吐出来 (Bǎ qián tǔ chūlái)

Literally: Spit out the money

Meaning: It means exactly what it says 

Replacing (: expel, let out, spit) with 兔 () is like requesting someone to produce money like pulling a rabbit from a hat, I suppose.

To be used when receiving 红包 (hóngbāo: red envelopes/packets) and ONLY from people with a sense of humor, because this is really quite rude.

Happy Year of the Rabbit

兔 (tù) You!

Chinese New Year Greetings for the Year of the Rabbit

A play on:

Happy Year of the Rabbit ‘TO’ You!

Use this only if you’re 5 years old and below. Or a Dad.

How many of the Chengyus above do you remember?

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Check these posts out

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Dim Sum Warriors Chinese New Year for Kids

Don`t copy text!