红包
hóngbāo
The English phrase "red envelope" is 红包 (hóngbāo) in Chinese.
A 红包 is a decorated paper envelope containing lucky money. You can use the verb phrase 发红包 (fā hóngbāo) to describe the act of distributing these envelopes. In the context of digital payments like WeChat, the phrase 抢红包 (qiǎng hóngbāo) is used to describe the competitive way users "grab" small amounts of money sent in digital red envelopes.
Meaning: a decorated paper envelope containing lucky money (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 红包 is composed of 红 (hóng), meaning 'red' and 包 (bāo), meaning 'envelope' or 'packet'.
How do you pronounce it?
hóngbāo
When do people say it?
Red envelopes are traditionally given during Lunar New Year and other celebrations to pass on good luck and prosperity.
Did you know?
- While the phrase 红包 is used for money, in the professional world of business, one might also hear the term 红包 used to refer to a way of offering a 'kickback' or 'bribe'.
- In some regions, the amount of money inside a 红包 must avoid numbers like four, because the word for 'four' sounds similar to the word for 'death'.
- The red color of the 红包 is not just for decoration, as red is historically believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the recipient from bad luck.
Examples in context
- 我给你准备了一个红包。I have prepared a red envelope for you.
- 请您收下这个红包，祝您新年快乐。Please accept this red envelope and have a happy new year.
- 过年的时候，大家都喜欢收红包。During Lunar New Year, everyone likes to receive red envelopes.
- 我收到了一个红包。Wǒ shōudào le yīgè hóngbāo.I received a red envelope.
- 请给我一个红包吧。Qǐng gěi wǒ yīgè hóngbāo ba.Please give me a red envelope.
- 这个红包里的钱很多。Zhège hóngbāo lǐ de qián hěnduō.There is a lot of money in this red envelope.
Example conversation
A girl receives a lucky red envelope from a boy during the Lunar New Year.
- 浩然 Haoran雨婷，这是给你的红包。Yǔtíng, zhè shì gěi nǐ de hóngbāo.Yuting, this is a red envelope for you.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢浩然，太棒了！Xièxiè Hàorán, tài bàng le!Thank you, Haoran, this is wonderful!
- 浩然 Haoran祝你新年快乐。Zhù nǐ xīnnián kuàilè.I wish you a Happy New Year.
- 雨婷 Yuting也祝你新年快乐。Yě zhù nǐ xīnnián kuàilè.Happy New Year to you too.
