Translation of a birthday card message.

[xianhua]

年年有今日， 岁岁有今朝

This was written in a birthday card by a Chinese friend. Does it mean something along the lines of 'many happy returns'?

[Mouseneb]

Wow, that's a hard one. Literally it's something like "every year has today, every age has now."

I looked on Baidu for an explanation and the idea seems to be, on happy occasions you say this to wish them the same happiness every year.

If you don't like someone, you can say this when they have an unhappy occasion, to wish them the same unhappiness every year!!

[Waikele]

年年有今日 means the same as 岁岁有今朝. Basically it is wishing someone that each year there will be a day as special/happy as today, assuming here "today" is a good day, like birthday, etc..

[skylee]

It is a wish for longevity.

[Waikele]

skylee, are you positive? i don't think your translation is correct. but i could be wrong.

[xianhua]

Could it not cover both aspects? In other words, "May these special days such as today keep returning for many years to come".

[xianhua]

I've just spoken to the Chinese friend who sent the card. Apparently, it was a bit of a joke as the phrase is usually used for older people (which I wouldn't classify myself as just yet). Therefore, use with caution!

[muyongshi]

skylee, are you positive?

I have yet to see skylee be wrong when it comes to the Chinese language...