There’s more things to say than “gong xi fa cai”.

Reunion dinners are one of the best things about Chinese New Year. You get to meet your extended relatives for the first time in a while, and everyone’s looking forward to the feasting during the next few days (goodbye, waist). One of the highlights at the reunion dinner, is the tossing of the yusheng (also known as lo hei) to bring in good luck and wealth. While vegetables and fish are being tossed around, Mandarin phrases are also thrown out to usher in more luck and even more wealth. Just remember – the higher you toss, the luckier your year is said to be.

If you’re unfamiliar, let this guide help you out.

General things to say when tossing the yusheng.

1. Gong Xi Fa Cai
The generic greeting is uttered whenever you meet someone during Chinese New Year. It literally translates to “congratulations on striking a fortune”, but it also means best wishes for the New Year.

2. Wan Shi Ru Yi
May all things go your way, this is usually said after gong xi fa cai.

3. Huat Ah
This means to prosper.

4. Tio Toto/4D
To strike (it big) in toto or 4D (mostly a Singaporean thing).

5. Shen Ti Jian Kang
May you have good health

6. Xin Xiang Shi Cheng
May all your wishes come true.

7. Xue Ye Jin Bu
For school-going students, may your grades improve.

8. Chang Ming Bai Sui
For the elders of the group, this wish is for longevity (literally for them to live till hundreds of years of age).

9. Dai Dai Ping An
Peace and safety for every generation in the family.

Things to say when adding ingredients to the yusheng.

10. Nian Nian You Yu (when adding the raw fish)
This literally translates to having things in abundance every year (or to enjoy prosperity every year).

11. Da Ji Da Li (when adding in the pomelo or orange peels)
Plenty of luck and prosperity.

12. Zhao Cai Jin Bao (when adding in the pepper and seasoning powders)
To welcome wealth and treasures.

13. Yi Ben Wan Li or Cai Yuan Guang Jin (when adding in the oil)
Add in the oil in circular motions over the vegetables and fish. The former means to make 10,000 times more on your capital, and the latter means boundless wealth.

14. Hong Yun Dang Tou (when adding in the carrots)
This means good luck and fortune will be approaching.

15. Qing Chun Chang Zhu (when adding in the green radish)
This stands for eternal youth. Use this especially when you have elders at the reunion dinner.

16. Bu Bu Gao Sheng and Feng Sheng Shui Qi (when adding in the white radish)
Both phrases mean progress, the latter meaning rapid progress.

17. Jin Yin Man Wu (when adding in the crushed peanuts)
A household filled with gold and silver.

18. Sheng Yi Xing Long (when adding the sesame seeds)
May your business prosper.

19. Man Di Huang Jin (when adding in the pillow-shaped crackers)
Literally a floor full of gold.

20. Tian Tian Mi Mi (when adding in the plum sauce)
It means as sweet as honey. It also means full of sweetness (or harmony).

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