Celebrate Taiwanese Festivals with These Key Phrases in Taiwanese Hokkien

Throughout the year Taiwan is home to an array of traditional festivals, many of which are celebrated with deep-rooted customs, delicious food, and vibrant gatherings. Taiwanese Hokkien is an important part of these festivities, with phrases and terms that reflect the culture and spirit of each occasion.

Chinese New Year (春節 - Tshun-Tseh)

The most important holiday in Taiwan, Chinese New Year is marked by family reunions, feasts, and honoring ancestors. In Hokkien, this festival is called Tshun-Tseh or Kuè-nî. Some key phrases you can use during this time include:

新年快樂 (Sin-nî Kuài-lo̍k) – Happy New Year!
Sin-nî means New Year, and kuài-lo̍k translates to happiness or joy. This is the most common greeting you will hear during the holiday. You can also use this greeting for the Western New Year.

恭喜發財 (Kiong-hí Huat-tsâi) – Wishing you prosperity
Meaning Congratulations and be prosperous! You will hear it everywhere during celebrations.

紅包拿來 (Âng-pau lâi-lâi) – Bring on the red envelopes
This playful phrase is used by children hoping to receive red envelopes (Âng-pau), which are filled with money for good luck.

Lantern Festival (元宵節 - Guân-siau-tseh)

Celebrated on the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, the Lantern Festival lights up the night with thousands of glowing lanterns and delicious treats like tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls). In Hokkien, it's called Guân-siau-tseh, which translates to the festival of lanterns. Here are a few key phrases:

放天燈 (Pàng-thian-ting) – Release the sky lanterns.
This phrase refers to the tradition of releasing lanterns into the sky, symbolizing hopes and wishes for the coming year.

吃湯圓 (Tsia̍h thn̂g-înn) – Eat tangyuan.
Eating tangyuan (thn̂g-înn) is a key part of the Lantern Festival. The round shape of this sweet treat symbolizes family togetherness and wholeness.

Dragon Boat Festival (端午節 - Tuan-góo-tseh)

Dragon Boat Festival, or Toan-góo-tseh, is held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and is celebrated with boat races and the eating of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings). Here are some useful Hokkien phrases:

划龍舟 (Kò lîng-tsiu) – Row the dragon boat.
Dragon boat races are the highlight of the festival.

吃肉粽 (Tsia̍h bah-tsàng) – Eat zongzi.
Zongzi, or bah-tsàng are a traditional food enjoyed during this festival, wrapped in bamboo leaves and filled with savory or sweet ingredients.

Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節 - Tiong-tshiu-tseh)

Also known as the Moon Festival, Tiong-tshiu-tseh is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Families gather to admire the full moon, eat mooncakes, and enjoy barbecues. Here are some phrases to use:

吃月餅 (Tsia̍h gue̍h-piánn) – Eat mooncakes.
Mooncakes, or gue̍h-piánn, are a key part of the Mid-Autumn Festival, symbolizing unity and the full moon.

賞月 (Siúnn gue̍h) – Admire the moon.
This phrase refers to the traditional activity of moon-watching, an essential part of the celebration.

中秋節快樂 (Tiong-tshiu-tseh Kuài-lo̍k) – Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
This greeting is a great way to wish others well during this festival.

Ghost Festival (中元節 - Tiong-guân-tseh)

The Ghost Festival, or Tiong-guân-tseh, is held during the seventh lunar month when it is believed that spirits of the deceased roam the earth. Families prepare offerings of food and burn incense to honor their ancestors and appease wandering ghosts. Here are some useful phrases:

拜拜祖先 (Pài-pài tsóo-sian) – Worship the ancestors.
This phrase is used when making offerings and showing respect to ancestors.

燒紙錢 (Sio tsuá-tsînn) – Burn ghost money.
Burning ghost money (tsuá-tsînn) is a common practice during this festival, meant to provide for the spirits in the afterlife.

Want to learn more? Explore our other topics such as Christmas related Hokkien vocab