"元旦 (yuándàn) New Year’s Day" has a three thousand-year history in China. In ancient times, "元旦 (yuándàn)" was the “lunar calendar” new year.

Since the founding of the new China, with the aim of distinguishing the “农历 (nónglì) lunar calendar” and the “阳历 (yánglì) Gregorian calendar,” the lunar new year was renamed as “春节 (chūnjié) Spring Festival” and Gregorian January 1 was named “元旦 (yuándàn) New Year’s Day.” From then on, “元旦 (yuándàn) New Year’s Day“ became a new convivial festival across the whole country. Today, New Year’s Day is a “法定假日 (fǎdìng jiàrì) statutory holiday“ in China. During this festival, people wish each other good luck in the New Year and send each other New Year’s cards as a gift.

Example:

元旦到了，祝你在新年里万事如意。

Yuándàn dào le, zhù nǐ zài xīnnián lǐ wànshìrúyì.

New Year’s Day is coming, I wish you good luck in the New Year.

Editor: Shi Liwei