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Word list · Holidays

Lunar New Year Words Hangman Words

Guess 30+ Lunar New Year words in this festive holiday hangman game — from red envelopes and lion dances to zodiac animals, dumplings, and nian gao. Perfect for classrooms and families celebrating the Spring Festival.

Print the full list below — every word grouped by difficulty, ready for the whiteboard, the classroom, or family game night.

🧨 36 words Clues included 3–16 letters

Easy — up to 6 letters

2 words
Red The colour worn and hung everywhere for luck during the festival
Nian Mythical beast frightened off by the colour red and loud noises

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Medium — 7–9 letters

8 words
Couplet Pair of lucky phrases pasted either side of the front door
Fai Chun Red banner of good wishes hung above a doorway
Hongbao Mandarin name for the red money envelope
Nian Gao Sticky rice cake whose name sounds like a higher year
Dumpling Folded parcel of dough eaten in the north as a symbol of wealth
Lion Dance Two performers inside one costume dancing to drums for luck
Tangerine Citrus fruit given in pairs as a symbol of good fortune
Whole Fish Dish served head and tail intact because its name sounds like surplus

Hard — 10+ letters

26 words
Lucky Money The cash gift tucked inside the red envelope
New Clothes Fresh outfit bought to start the year off well
Red Lantern Glowing paper decoration hung up for luck and happiness
Temple Fair Outdoor market and performance held during the holiday
Dragon Dance Long cloth dragon carried through the street on poles
Fifteen Days How long the whole Spring Festival period lasts
Firecracker Small explosive set off to frighten away bad luck
Gong Xi Fa Cai Mandarin greeting that wishes you wealth and prosperity
Red Envelope Packet of lucky money handed to children and younger relatives
Spring Rolls Golden fried rolls said to resemble bars of gold
Year of the Ox Zodiac year associated with patience and hard work
Lunar New Year Festival marking the first new moon of the lunar calendar
Paper Cutting Intricate red decoration pasted onto windows
Reunion Dinner Family feast eaten together on new year's eve
Zodiac Animals The twelve creatures that give their names to the years in turn
Chinese New Year Common English name for the fifteen day spring festival
Kung Hei Fat Choi Cantonese greeting used to wish a prosperous new year
Spring Cleaning Sweeping the house before the holiday to clear out bad luck
Spring Festival The Chinese name for the Lunar New Year holiday
Year of the Horse The lunar year that began in February 2026
Year of the Tiger Zodiac year associated with bravery and confidence
Lantern Festival Celebration of lights that closes the new year period
Year of the Dragon The most sought after zodiac year to be born in
Year of the Rabbit Zodiac year associated with calm and gentleness
Ancestor Offering Food and incense presented to family who have passed on
Longevity Noodles Single long noodle eaten uncut in the hope of a long life

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Using this list in class

Split the class into two teams and alternate words from the Easy group, saving the Hard words for tie-breakers. Reading the clue aloud after the first wrong guess keeps younger players in the game.

Playing solo? Play the Lunar New Year Words topic online — same words, six wrong guesses, confetti when you win.