笑口常开

Pronunciation: xiào kǒu cháng kāi Literal meaning: Laughing mouth always open

Origin & Usage

A folk blessing with no classical source: standard dictionaries define it simply as keeping a happy, cheerful mood, and give no ancient text. 笑口 is 'a laughing mouth', 常 is 'always' and 开 is 'open', so the picture is a face that is always smiling. The image many Chinese speakers connect with it is the laughing Maitreya Buddha, the fat, cheerful monk figure in temples and shops, often flanked by the couplet 'big belly holds what the world cannot hold; open mouth laughs at what the world finds laughable' (大肚能容，容天下难容之事；开口便笑，笑世间可笑之人). At Chinese New Year it is one of the easiest wishes to add to a greeting, often after 身体健康 (good health). It is light and friendly, so it suits friends, family, children and colleagues alike.

Examples

English: "Wishing you a year full of laughter and good cheer."

Chinese: 新年到了，祝你天天开心，笑口常开！