Want to impress your relatives with the Year of the Horse greetings for Chinese New Year? Quit horsing around, we got to race to the best whinny-ing greetings for 2026.
Lunar New Year is a time of vibrant display of red and gold, the rhythmic clamor of lion dances, and the joyous reunion of families. But at the heart of every interaction during this fifteen-day festival are the greetings—the auspicious words exchanged to invite good fortune for the year ahead.
Tailoring your well-wishes to the zodiac animal of the year shows cultural savvy and adds an extra layer of meaningful intent to your blessings.
Here are some greetings to use to wish your loved ones great things for the new year!
CNY Greetings for the Year of the Horse
The Horse is a symbol of strength, unbridled energy, speed, and perseverance. The year of the horse is considered a time of rapid progress, decisive action, and moving forward with spirit.
The Essential Horse Greetings for CNY
If you learn only one phrase specific to the Year of the Horse, make it this one. It is the quintessential idiom for this zodiac year.
马到成功 ma3 dao4 cheng2 gong1
This is a powerful wish for instant success. It stems from ancient warfare, implying that as soon as your warhorse arrives on the field, victory is secured.
When to use it: It is perfect for anyone starting a new venture, looking for a promotion, or facing a challenge in the new year. It wishes them success in their endeavours
万马奔腾 wan4 ma3 ben1 teng2
The phrase evokes unstoppable momentum and collective strength, advancing with the power of ten thousand galloping horses, and symbolises aspirations for continued prosperity and success.
When to use it: Use these phrases to wish colleagues, business partners, or ambitious friends a year of professional advancement.
一马当先 yi4 ma3 dang1 xian1
This phrase means taking the lead, describing someone at the forefront leading the charge
When to use it: Wish the recipient well to be a leader in a field, outperform their competition, especially if they are business owners, leaders or students in school
飞黄腾达 fei1 huang2 teng2 da2
It means to rise swiftly like a legendary divine horse. This idiom is deeply connected to horse mythology. It implies a meteoric rise in one’s career or social standing—a wish for rapid promotion and massive success.
When to use it: Say the greeting to anyone who has a job, that they can succeed in their vocation
龙马精神 long2 ma3 jing1 shen2
It literally means to have the spirit of the dragon and the horse. This is a popular greeting amongst older folks or those in demanding jobs.
When to use it: This phrase wishes the recipient the vitality, vigor, and indefatigable spirit associated with these two powerful creatures. It means “May you be full of energy and drive.”
策马扬鞭 ce4 ma3 yang2 bian1 or 快马加鞭 kuai4 ma3 jia1 bian1
Teaching the horse with a whip is the direct translation of the phrase. it is a motivational greeting and call to action.
When to use it: You can encourage the students who need an extra push, to encourage them to take charge of their destiny and ride steadily towards their goals.
祝您马年行大运! zhu4 nin2 ma3 nian2 xing2 da1 yun4
Wishing you great luck in the Year of the Horse
愿您马不停蹄，再创佳绩 yuan4 nin2 ma3 bu4 ting2 ti2, zai4 chuang4 jia1 ji1
May you be like a horse that never stops its hooves, continuously creating new achievements!
扎稳马步, 马年不马虎 zha1 wen3 ma3 bu4, ma3 nian2 bu1 ma3 hu1
May you be steady like the horse’s gait and not be careless in this year of the Horse. Perhaps this is for the children, especially those taking major exams this year.
马到成功， 马上发财 ma3 dao4 cheng2 gong1, ma3 shang1 fa1 cai2
May you succeed and immediately prosper!
Other variations: 马到成功事事顺利，财运福气马上来
祝大家马年马力全开，Money 多多 zhu4 da4 jia1 ma3 nian2 ma3 li1 quan2 kai1, money duo1 duo1
Wishing everyone the strength and power of the horse this new year, with much prosperity
福气马上来 fu2 qi4 ma3 shang4 lai2
Wishing you good fortune immediately!
骏马迎春 jun4 ma3 ying2 chun1
Wishing all good fortune like a handsome horse welcoming spring
Other variations: 骏马奔腾迎新年 駿馬奔騰迎新岁，笑口常开好一年
马到金来，马到财来 ma3 dao4 jin1 lai2, ma3 dao4 cai2 lai2
May gold and fortune come in the year of the horse
金马迎春，金马报喜 jin1 ma3 ying2 chun1, jin1 ma3 bao4 xi3
Let the golden horse welcome spring and bring joy and blessings
马踏金桥，马踏祥云，马蹄生金 ma3 ta1 jin1 qiao2, ma3 ta1 xiang2 yun2
Wishing a smooth path to success, rapid promotion and divine luck, instant wealth and profitability.
马到平安，平安马年 ma3 dao1 ping2 an1, ping2 an1 ma3 nian2
Peace in the year of the horse
马运享通 ma3 yun4 xiang2 tong1
Wishing you great success and smooth progress
福马呈祥 fu2 ma3 cheng2 xiang2
It translates to: “The Auspicious Horse Brings Good Fortune.” The presence of the fortune horse will make your life blessed with harmony
马年吉庆，马年安康，马年安泰 ma3 nian2 ji2 qing4, ma3 nian2 an1 kang1, ma3 nian2 an1 tai4
Good luck, good health and peace in this year of the Horse
马跃新程 ma3 yue4 xin1 cheng2
The Horse leaps into a new journey” or “A Great Leap into a New Chapter.”
马舞春风 ma3 wu3 chun1 feng1
The dancing horse dances in the breeze of spring, this symbolises joy and success
金马玉堂，金马纳福 jing1 ma3 yu4 tang2, jin1 ma3 na4 fu2
The golden horse brings blessings and good fortune
Horse-eh!
好势了 is a popular Hokkien meaning something like all done or good to go!
Wishing You a Horse-eh Year of the Horse
The Year of the Horse is not a year for passivity; it is a year for galloping toward your dreams. By using these specific greetings, you aren’t just repeating words; you are invoking the spirit of speed, strength, and success for your neigh-bours, friends and family.
So, as the new year dawns, raise your voice and wish everyone around you well as they sprint towards their goals for the year!
