利市
The English phrase "red envelope" is 利市 in Cantonese. Wiktionary also lists 封包 (fung¹ baau¹).
Meaning: a decorated paper envelope containing lucky money (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 利市 | |
| 封包 | fung¹ baau¹ |
A red envelope refers to a decorated paper envelope containing lucky money. During Lunar New Year, it is customary to give children red envelopes known as 利是封. The term can also be used more broadly, such as when someone says, "My grandmother gave me a red envelope for my birthday (利是)."
What does it mean word for word?
The term 利市 literally translates to "profit" or "benefit from the market", consisting of the components for profit/benefit and market/city.
Which one should you use?
封包 (pronounced fung¹ baau¹) refers specifically to the envelope itself. The form 利是 is also used to mean red envelope.
When do people say it?
In Cantonese culture, the term 利市 is used specifically for the money given during Lunar New Year or weddings.
Did you know?
- In some Cantonese communities, a 'return' 利市 is given by the recipient to the giver to avoid the appearance of simply taking money.
- When giving a 利是, it is considered bad luck to give an amount of money that includes the number four, as the word for 'four' sounds like 'death' in many Chinese dialects.
- In many professional settings, the term 利市 has evolved into a way to describe a bonus or a commission distributed among staff after a successful business deal or at a company's celebration.
Examples in context
- 佢哋送咗好多利市畀我。keoi5 dei6 sung3 zo2 hou2 do1 lei6 si6 bei2 ngo5.They gave me many red envelopes.
- 小朋友最鍾意收利市。siu2 pang4 jau4 zeoi3 zung1 ji3 sau1 lei6 si6.Children love receiving red envelopes most.
- 呢個利市好靚呀。ni1 go3 lei6 si6 hou2 leng3 aa3.This red envelope is very beautiful.
Example conversation
They are celebrating the Lunar New Year together.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung志強，新年快樂！zi3 koeng4, san1 nin4 faai3 lok6!Happy New Year, Zhiqiang!
- 志強 Chi Keung曉彤，新年快樂！hiu2 tung4, san1 nin4 faai3 lok6!Happy New Year, Xiaotong!
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung你有冇準備利市畀我？nei5 jau5 mou5 zeon2 bei6 lei6 si6 bei2 ngo5?Did you prepare a red envelope for me?
- 志強 Chi Keung有，喺呢度。jau5, hai2 ni1 dou6.Yes, it is right here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “red envelope” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
