How to say Wedding wishes in Chinese
I have several friends who held their weddings recently (congrats to all of you!)
Seems like love is in the air during this year-end period. Even SMRT is hopping onboard to spread some romance.
1 personal observation when I'm attending weddings: guests can't quite figure out what to write as greetings or wishes on the Angbao or guestbook. Most messages, if any, are the simple & straightforward "Congratulations!" or "All the Best!" types. Those who manage to pen down a few words in Chinese are few and far between.
Hence the inspiration behind this blog entry. Want to say or write something in Chinese but you're too shy or too Kan Tang to pull this off? Relax, here's 5 suggestions for your consideration. They are shortlisted based on 2 factors: (a) common in daily usage (so that it's easy to remember), and (b) relatively easy to write (I mean, you don't want to cross out or "blanco" wrong words on the Angbao right?)
Wedding Wishes
1. 白头偕老 bái tóu xié lǎo
Meaning: to grow old together in marital bliss
Mention the phrase "grow old with you" and I'll think of Adam Sandler
in the movie The Wedding Singer. Sweet rom com, nice soundtrack.
白头 = white hair (i.e. to reach old age)
偕 = to accompany
Putting them together, the phrase means the couple accompanying each other til old age.
Some folks write the phrase differently: 白头携老
In this case, 携 xié = to carry or bring along (it has the same pinyin and tone as 偕)
It's easy to see how the variant arises. Based on what I checked on the internet, the correct form to use is still the one with 偕.
2. 早生贵子 zǎo shēng guì zǐ
Meaning: hoping the stork brings you a healthy & beautiful baby
Another common and well-known greeting, used particularly during the 3rd round of the Yum Seng toasting.
Self explanatory really. Josephine Teo and her National Population and Talent Division will thank you for spreading this message.
3. 百年好合 bǎi nián hǎo hé
Meaning: here's to a hundred years of conjugal bliss
Simple and elegant greeting.
If conversations at the dining table get boring, you can even entertain the guests with a wordplay involving this phrase. The first and last words form 百合 bǎi hé, which is actually the name of the lily flower. So don't be surprised if you see certain dishes on the wedding menu include lily buds as ingredient for achieving the symbolic association.
4. 永结同心 yǒng jié tóng xīn
Meaning: may both of you be bound & united as one heart (to be of one mind)
同心 = to be of the same heart
(you can use this too in contexts apart from weddings)
Basically this phrase wishes the couple to be united and aligned in their thoughts.
How to align your thinking to your wife's. Seen on Pinterest
5. 幸福美满 xìng fú měi mǎn
Meaning: wishing you happiness & bliss
Last but not least, a simple yet effective phrase to shower upon the couple.
Any combination of the above 5 (e.g. 3 & 4 or 1 & 5) should adequately meet your needs.
Try not to overkill and say/write all 5 :)
Bonus: 有情人终成眷属 yǒu qíng rén zhōng chéng juàn shǔ
Meaning: may all lovers unite in marriage
An expression commonly heard on TV dramas
This phrase has a happy ending feel to it, so if you happen to know that the couple overcame trials and difficulties before getting together and if the context is right, you can consider using it.