Kung Hei Fat Choi Meaning, Spelling and How Cebu Celebrates
Kung Hei Fat Choi, Kung Hei Fat Choy or Gong Xi Fa Cai? What the greeting means, how to say it, and how Cebu and Davao ring in the Lunar New Year.
In this article
Kung Hei Fat Choi is the Cantonese Chinese New Year greeting that means "congratulations and may you prosper," usually translated simply as "wishing you prosperity." Kung Hei Fat Choy, Gong Hei Fat Choy and Gung Hay Fat Choy are all spellings of the same phrase, while Gong Xi Fa Cai is the Mandarin version. In Cebu and Davao, where Filipino-Chinese families have shaped city life for generations, you will hear all of them every Lunar New Year.
Kung Hei Fat Choi Meaning in English
The greeting is written with four Chinese characters: 恭喜發財. Each one carries part of the meaning.
| Character | Cantonese sound | Literal meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 恭 | kung / gung | respectful, to offer |
| 喜 | hei | joy, happiness |
| 發 | fat | to grow, to come into |
| 財 | choi | wealth, fortune |
Put together, kung hei means "respectful congratulations" and fat choi means "come into wealth." So the full Kung Hei Fat Choy meaning is close to "Congratulations, and may you become prosperous this year."
What does "hei" mean?
On its own, hei (喜) means joy or happiness. It is the same character you see doubled (囍) on wedding decorations as "double happiness." In the greeting, kung hei together works like "congratulations."
What is prosperity in Tagalog and Bisaya?
If you want to explain the greeting to Filipino friends, prosperity in Tagalog is kasaganaan, and a rough Tagalog rendering of the greeting would be "Masaganang Bagong Taon!" (A prosperous New Year!). In Cebuano/Bisaya, a common word for progress and prosperity is kauswagan, so you might hear "Mauswagon nga Bag-ong Tuig!"
Kung Hei Fat Choi vs Kung Hei Fat Choy vs Gong Xi Fa Cai
There is no single "correct" English spelling, because the phrase is being written in the Latin alphabet from different Chinese languages and romanisation systems.
| Spelling | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kung Hei Fat Choi | Cantonese | Very common in Hong Kong and in the Philippines |
| Kung Hei Fat Choy | Cantonese | Same phrase, older "-oy" spelling |
| Gong Hei Fat Choy / Gung Hay Fat Choy | Cantonese | Spellings closer to how it sounds |
| Gong Xi Fa Cai | Mandarin | Official pinyin; common in mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia |
| Kiong Hee Huat Tsai | Hokkien | Heard in many Filipino-Chinese homes |
The Hokkien version matters in the Philippines because a large share of Filipino-Chinese families trace their roots to Fujian province and speak Hokkien at home. Don't be surprised if your Cebuano-Chinese neighbour says kiong hee rather than kung hei.
How to pronounce it
A friendly approximation for the Cantonese greeting is "gung HAY faht CHOY." For Mandarin Gong Xi Fa Cai, say roughly "gong SHEE fah TSIGH." Nobody at a Chinese New Year party in Cebu will mark you down for an accent; the warmth counts more than the tones.
Chinese New Year Greetings to Know
These are the greetings you are most likely to hear or see on cards and shop windows.
| Greeting | Language | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Kung Hei Fat Choi | Cantonese | Wishing you prosperity |
| Gong Xi Fa Cai | Mandarin | Wishing you prosperity |
| Xin Nian Kuai Le | Mandarin | Happy New Year |
| Sun Nin Fai Lok | Cantonese | Happy New Year |
| Shen Ti Jian Kang | Mandarin | Wishing you good health |
| Wan Shi Ru Yi | Mandarin | May everything go as you wish |
| Kiong Hee Huat Tsai | Hokkien | Wishing you prosperity |
Chinese New Year Dates: 2026 and 2027
Lunar New Year moves each year because it follows the lunar calendar, landing between late January and mid-February.
| Year | Date | Zodiac animal |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17 February | Fire Horse |
| 2027 | 6 February | Goat |
In the Philippines, Chinese New Year has been declared a special non-working day in recent years, but the exact status is set each year by proclamation. Check the official holiday list before planning a trip, and use our festival calendar to count down.
How Chinese New Year Is Celebrated in Cebu
Cebu has one of the country's oldest and most established Chinese communities, and many of the city's best-known family businesses have Chinese roots. During the New Year, the celebrations are a mix of temple visits, family dinners and public events.
Cebu Taoist Temple
The Cebu Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills, Lahug, is the focal point for many families. Visitors climb up to light incense, make offerings and try the fortune sticks, shaking a cup until one stick falls out and then reading the matching fortune. Expect crowds and traffic on the hillside roads around the New Year, so go early.
Fuente Osmeña and city events
In past years, public celebrations with dragon and lion dances, fireworks and food stalls have been staged around Fuente Osmeña Circle and in major malls. Programmes change annually, so follow city and mall announcements a few weeks before. Lion dances at business openings are also common, as shop owners welcome the "lion" for good luck.
At home
Filipino-Chinese families gather for a reunion dinner on New Year's Eve. Tikoy (sticky rice cake, nian gao) is the classic gift and is often sliced, dipped in egg and pan-fried. Round fruits, especially oranges, are placed on tables to represent coins and abundance, and many people wear red or polka dots for luck.
How Davao Celebrates Chinese New Year
Davao has its own lively Chinese community and an area locally known as Davao Chinatown, around the older commercial streets of the downtown district. Around the New Year, expect red lanterns, lion dances and plenty of tikoy for sale.
Lon Wa Buddhist Temple
The Lon Wa Buddhist Temple, in the Lanang area, is often described as one of the largest Buddhist temples in Mindanao, and it is a peaceful place to visit. During the New Year it draws devotees offering prayers and incense. Dress modestly and keep your voice down inside the halls.
Food and shopping
Chinese restaurants and bakeries around downtown Davao get busy with family banquets and tikoy orders. If you are in town for the New Year, book dinner reservations early. For more ideas on what to eat in the city, see our Davao food guide.
Chinese New Year Traditions in the Philippines
Many customs are shared with Chinese communities worldwide, with a few local twists.
- Wear red to scare away bad luck and invite good fortune.
- Clean the house before New Year's Day, not on it, so you don't "sweep away" incoming luck.
- Give ang pao to children and unmarried younger relatives, ideally with new bills.
- Avoid sad words and arguments on the first days of the year.
- Read your zodiac forecast; local feng shui consultants are widely featured on TV and in malls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kung Hei Fat Choi mean?
It is a Cantonese Chinese New Year greeting meaning "congratulations and may you prosper," often shortened to "wishing you prosperity." It is written 恭喜發財.
Is it Kung Hei Fat Choi or Kung Hei Fat Choy?
Both are correct. They are different English spellings of the same Cantonese phrase, while Gong Xi Fa Cai is the Mandarin equivalent.
When is Chinese New Year 2027?
Chinese New Year 2027 falls on 6 February and begins the Year of the Goat. The 2026 New Year was on 17 February, the Year of the Fire Horse.
Where can I celebrate Chinese New Year in Cebu?
The Cebu Taoist Temple in Lahug is the most popular spot, and public lion dances and events are often held in malls and around Fuente Osmeña. Check local announcements, as programmes change each year.
What do you say back to Kung Hei Fat Choi?
You can simply reply with the same greeting, or with Sun Nin Fai Lok (Happy New Year). A smile and a "Kung Hei Fat Choi to you too" works perfectly well.
