Crafting Chinese Wedding Wishes: A Guide To Writing Heartfelt Greetings

Chinese wedding wishes are an important part of Chinese culture and are often steeped in rich traditions and customs passed down through generations. These wishes are a way to offer congratulations and blessings to the newlyweds, symbolising love, respect, and good fortune. When attending a Chinese wedding, it is considered polite and respectful to offer blessings to the couple, whether it be through a tea ceremony or a dinner banquet.

When giving Chinese wedding wishes, it is important to be mindful of certain cultural norms and practices. It is best to avoid negative or inauspicious words, sensitive topics such as divorce, death, or illness, and informal language. Instead, focus on wishing the couple happiness, love, harmony, and a long-lasting marriage.

- 白头偕老 (bái tóu xié lǎo): Wishing the couple to grow old together in marital bliss.

- 百年好合 (bǎi nián hǎo hé): Wishing the couple a hundred years of conjugal bliss and harmony.

- 永结同心 (yǒng jié tóng xīn): May both of you be bound and united as one heart.

- 幸福美满 (xìng fú měi mǎn): Wishing the couple happiness and bliss.

- 早生贵子 (zǎo shēng guì zǐ): Hoping for the couple to soon welcome a healthy child.

Chinese wedding wishes and their meanings

Chinese wedding wishes are an important part of Chinese weddings, with well-wishers offering their congratulations and blessings to the newlyweds. These wishes are often steeped in rich traditions and customs passed down through generations and are meant to bring good fortune and ward off negative energy. Here are some common Chinese wedding wishes with their meanings:

• 白头偕老 (bái tóu xié lǎo): This phrase wishes that the couple will grow old together in marital bliss, with their hair turning white from old age.
• 百年好合 (bǎi nián hǎo hé): This is a wish for the couple to have a hundred years of conjugal bliss and harmony, with an everlasting journey of love.
• 永结同心 (yǒng jié tóng xīn): This blessing hopes that the couple's minds, souls, and hearts will be united as one, forever bound together.
• 幸福美满 (xìng fú měi mǎn): A simple yet effective wish for happiness and bliss for the couple.
• 早生贵子 (zǎo shēng guì zǐ): This phrase hopes that the couple will soon be blessed with a healthy and beautiful child, often used during the third round of the Yum Seng toasting.
• 花好月圆 (huā hǎo yuè yuán): This phrase translates to "flower blossom with the moon coming in full circle". It wishes the couple a relationship that will blossom like flowers and a feeling of completeness, represented by the full moon.
• 互敬互爱 (hù jìng hù ài): This phrase wishes the couple mutual love and respect, with '敬' representing respect and '爱' representing love.
• 天作之合 (tiān zuò zhī hé): This phrase is used to compliment the couple, meaning "a match made in heaven". It is usually said by guests older than the married couple.
• 甜甜蜜蜜 (tián tián mì mì): This phrase wishes the couple a sweet and loving relationship, often used to encourage them to always be affectionate and loving towards each other.
• 珠联璧合 (zhū lián bì hé): This phrase symbolises a well-matched couple, comparing them to complementary jewellery, like pearls and jade.
• 祝福新婚快乐，百年好合 (Chok8 hok8 sin1 hun1 khòai3 lok8, pek3 nî3 hó3 haap6): This is a wish for a happy marriage and a harmonious union lasting a hundred years.
• 愿天下有情人终成眷属 (Yuàn tiānxià yǒuqíng rén zhōng chéng juànshǔ): This phrase wishes that all lovers will eventually unite in marriage, often used when the couple has overcome trials and difficulties to be together.
• 相濡以沫，永结同心 (Xiāngrúyǐmò, yǒngjié tóngxīn): This blessing hopes that the couple will support each other and be united in love forever, wishing them strength through life's challenges.

How to express congratulations in Chinese

Expressing congratulations in Chinese can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the context. Here are some common ways to offer congratulations in Chinese:

Wedding Wishes

Chinese wedding wishes often contain auspicious phrases and idioms that symbolise happiness, prosperity, and longevity for the newlyweds. It is considered polite and respectful to offer blessings to the couple during traditional Chinese weddings. Here are some examples:

• 白头偕老 (bái tóu xié lǎo) - Wishing the couple to grow old together in marital bliss.
• 百年好合 (bǎi nián hǎo hé) - Here's to a hundred years of conjugal bliss and harmony.
• 永结同心 (yǒng jié tóng xīn) - May your hearts and minds be united and aligned forever.
• 幸福美满 (xìng fú měi mǎn) - Wishing the couple happiness and bliss.
• 甜甜蜜蜜 (tián tián mì mì) - May your marriage be filled with sweetness and love.
• 早生贵子 (zǎo shēng guì zǐ) - Wishing the couple a healthy baby soon.

General Expressions of Congratulations

These phrases can be used to congratulate someone on a variety of occasions, such as the Chinese New Year, birthdays, or other celebrations:

• 恭喜！恭喜！(gōng xǐ! gōng xǐ!) - Congratulations!
• 祝贺你获得一个这么好的机会。(zhù hè nǐ huò dé yī gè zhè me hǎo de jī huì.) - Congratulations on this amazing opportunity!
• 祝贺开张大吉。(zhù hè kāi zhāng dà jí) - Wishing you the best of luck in your new endeavour.
• 庆祝 (qìng zhù) - To celebrate.
• 祝你生日快乐！(zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè) - Wishing you a happy birthday!
• 万事如意！(wàn shì rú yì) - May all your wishes come true.
• 新年好! (xīn nián hǎo) - Happy New Year!

New Year Congratulations

The Chinese New Year is a significant occasion, and here are some specific ways to express congratulations during this festive period:

• 恭喜发财！(gōng xǐ fā cái) - Wishing you prosperity in the New Year!
• 新春大喜！(xīn chūn dà xǐ) - Wishing you happiness in the New Year!
• 心想事成！(xīn xiǎng shì chéng) - May all your dreams come true in the New Year.

Remember that when expressing congratulations in Chinese, it is important to be mindful of cultural norms and practices. Avoid using negative or inauspicious words, and focus on conveying respect, love, and best wishes for the person or couple you are congratulating.

What to avoid saying at a Chinese wedding

When attending a Chinese wedding, it is important to be mindful of the words you choose when giving your blessings to the newlyweds. Here are some things to avoid saying at a Chinese wedding:

• Avoid words associated with death, endings, and fights: This may seem obvious, but it is easy to have a slip of the tongue when trying to come up with appropriate things to say. If this happens, it is best to apologise sincerely and move on to something more positive.
• Avoid the number four: In Chinese, the word for "four" ("sì") sounds like the word for "death" ("sǐ"). Therefore, it is considered unlucky and should be avoided. For example, avoid mentioning specific dates that include the number four, such as the 4th, 14th, or 24th.
• Avoid the colour white: White is typically reserved for funerals and events related to death and ghosts in Chinese culture, so it is believed to bring bad luck to the newlyweds. This belief also applies to black, which is also associated with death.
• Avoid saying "goodbye": At the end of the wedding banquet, it is considered unlucky to say "goodbye" to the newlyweds. This is because "goodbye" in Chinese has the same phrase as "see you again", which implies that the couple will remarry.
• Avoid wearing old shoes: In Chinese culture, it is considered bad luck to wear old shoes to a wedding. This superstition stems from ancient times when a bride's shoe size was used as proof of her beauty, and a new pair of shoes would be made for her to wear on the wedding day.
• Avoid seeing the couple before the wedding: It is considered unlucky for the bride and groom to see each other the day or night before the wedding. This tradition, although more common in ancient times when marriages were arranged, is still sometimes followed in modern Chinese weddings.

The importance of wedding wishes in Chinese culture

Wedding wishes are an integral part of Chinese culture, steeped in rich traditions and customs passed down through generations. They are a way to offer congratulations and blessings to the newlyweds, expressing love, respect, and good fortune. These wishes are not only heartfelt but also carry great importance with several layers of meanings.

Auspicious Blessings

Chinese wedding wishes often include auspicious phrases and idioms that symbolise happiness, prosperity, and longevity. For instance, the wish "百年好合 bǎi nián hǎo hé" translates to "a hundred years of conjugal bliss and harmony", encapsulating the hope for an everlasting journey of love for the couple. Another example is "花好月圆 huā hǎo yuè yuán", which translates to "flower blossom with the moon coming in full circle", wishing the couple a sense of completeness in their relationship. These blessings are believed to bring good fortune and ward off any negative energy or obstacles the couple may face in their married life.

Expression of Respect and Love

Wedding wishes provide an opportunity for family members, friends, and guests to express their love, respect, and best wishes for the couple's future. This emotional connection and support strengthen relationships and foster a sense of community. Wishes such as "互敬互爱 hù jìng hù ài", meaning "mutual respect and love", and "相亲相爱 xiāng qīn xiāng ài", meaning "love each other", reflect the heartfelt sentiments exchanged during Chinese weddings.

Encouragement for a Successful Marriage

By offering wedding wishes, well-wishers encourage the couple to cherish their love, maintain harmony, and work together to overcome challenges. For example, the wish "永结同心 yǒng jié tóng xīn" translates to "may both of you be bound and united as one heart", emphasising the importance of unity and shared thoughts. Another wish, "早生贵子 zǎo shēng guì zǐ", expresses the hope for the couple to soon welcome a healthy child, recognising the importance of family and offspring. These positive affirmations inspire the newlyweds to build a strong foundation for their marriage.

Chinese wedding wishes, therefore, play a crucial role in preserving customs and traditions, strengthening community bonds, and offering heartfelt encouragement to the newlyweds. They are an essential component of Chinese weddings, adding warmth and emotion to the joyous occasion.

Examples of Chinese wedding wishes

In Chinese culture, exchanging heartfelt wedding wishes is an essential part of the celebration, symbolising the love, respect, and good fortune extended to the newlywed couple. Here are some examples of Chinese wedding wishes:

• 永结同心 (yǒng jié tóng xīn) - May you forever be of one mind.
• 举案齐眉 (jǔ àn qí méi) - May you have harmonious marital relations.
• 互敬互爱 (hù jìng hù ài) - May you have mutual love and respect.
• 百年好合 (bǎi nián hǎo hé) - May you have a harmonious union that lasts one hundred years.
• 白头偕老 (bái tóu xié lǎo) - May you live together until your hair turns white with old age.
• 早生贵子 (zǎo shēng guì zǐ) - May you be blessed with a child soon.
• 珠联璧合 (zhū lián bì hé) - May you be a well-matched pair.
• 凤凰于飞 (fèng huáng yú fēi) - May you be like two phoenixes flying side by side in conjugal harmony.
• 花开并蒂 (huā kāi bìng dì) - May your love bloom like beautiful flowers.
• 缔结良缘 (dì jié liáng yuán) - May you forge a harmonious relationship together.
• 终身之盟 (zhōng shēn zhī méng) - May you form a lifetime alliance and be by each other's side.
• 喜结良缘 (xǐ jié liáng yuán) - Congratulations on your happy marriage!
• 幸福美满 (xìng fú měi mǎn) - Wishing you happiness and bliss.
• 美满姻缘 (měi mǎn yīn yuán) - May you have a happy marriage.
• 美满家园 (měi mǎn jiā yuán) - May you build a happy family together.
• 宜室宜家 (yí shì yí jiā) - May you build a harmonious and orderly home.
• 永浴爱河 (yǒng yù ài hé) - May you forever bathe in the river of love.
• 百年琴瑟 (bǎi nián qín sè) - May you maintain a harmonious relationship for a hundred years and beyond.
• 福禄鸳鸯 (fú lù yuān yāng) - May your fortune grow like your love.
• 郎才女貌 (láng cái nǚ mào) - May you be a physically attractive couple.
• 佳偶天成 (jiā ǒu tiān chéng) - May you be a perfect match, united by heaven.
• 天作之合 (tiān zuò zhī hé) - May you be a match made in heaven.
• 天缘巧合 (tiān yuán qiǎo hé) - May you be destined to be together.
• 情投意合 (qíng tóu yì hé) - May you see eye to eye and be suitable for each other.
• 相敬如宾 (xiāng jìng rú bīn) - May you treat each other with the same respect you would give to an honoured guest.
• 相亲相爱 (xiāng qīn xiāng ài) - May you love each other.
• 心心相印 (xīn xīn xiāng yìn) - May you always see heart to heart and have empathy and understanding for each other.

These wishes incorporate auspicious phrases and idioms that will warm the couple's hearts and strengthen the bonds within the community.

Frequently asked questions