Gong Xi Gong Xi

"Gong Xi Gong Xi" (恭喜恭喜) is a popular Chinese celebratory song whose title translates roughly as "Congratulations, Congratulations." It is strongly associated with Chinese New Year festivities and has become one of the most recognizable festive tunes across Mandarin-speaking communities.

"Gong xi" (恭喜) means "to congratulate" or "best wishes." Repeating it—"Gong xi gong xi"—emphasizes the greeting, similar to saying "congratulations, congratulations" or "best wishes" repeatedly.

The song expresses joy and good wishes for the coming year. Lyrics celebrate the arrival of spring, good fortune, new beginnings, and the desire for happiness and prosperity for friends and family. The repeated chorus functions as a call-and-response of goodwill, making it easy to sing along in group settings. The song is frequently used in variety shows, commercials, and New Year TV specials. Its recognizable melody makes it useful for setting a festive atmosphere.

"Gong Xi Gong Xi" was composed in 1945 in Shanghai. The lyrics were written by Chen Gexin (also known as Ah Sen), and the melody is usually credited to the composer duo Chen Gexin and Nie Er in some accounts, though authorship details sometimes vary in secondary sources. The song was created near the end of World War II and around the time of Japan's surrender. The song was associated with the celebration of the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War and the broader relief at the war’s end. Its theme of congratulations and the arrival of better times resonated strongly with a population emerging from years of conflict. After its release, the song quickly gained popularity through radio broadcasts, live performances, and recordings. During the 20th century it became firmly linked to Lunar New Year celebrations and was regularly included in holiday programming.