Usage note
红包是一种在中国春节期间用来送祝福和压岁钱的红色信封。
hóngbāo shì yī zhǒng zài Zhōngguó chūnjié qīngyuán lǐlùn lái yòng de sòng fúzhǐ hé yàsuí qián de hóngsè xìnféng.
Red envelopes are used during Chinese Spring Festival to send blessings and lucky money.
Context note
红包通常在春节、婚礼和生日等重要场合使用。
hóngbāo tōngcháng zài chūnjié、lǐhuì hé shēngrì děng yàojiǎo huǒ kòngshí yòngsù.
Red envelopes are commonly used during Spring Festival, weddings, and birthdays, among other important occasions.
5 examples
春节的时候，我们通常会给长辈发红包。
chūn jié de shí hòu， wǒ men tōng cháng huì gěi zhǎng bèi fā hóng bāo。
During the Spring Festival, we usually give red envelopes to elders.
婚礼上新人会收到很多红包。
hūn lǐ shàng xīn rén huì shōu dào hěn duō hóng bāo。
At weddings, the newlyweds will receive many red envelopes.
生日派对上孩子们也会收到红包。
shēng rì pài duì shàng hái zi men yě huì shōu dào hóng bāo。
Children also receive red envelopes at birthday parties.
公司里领导会给员工发红包表示感谢。
gōng sī lǐ lǐng dǎo huì gěi yuán gōng fā hóng bāo biǎo shì gǎn xiè。
In the company, leaders give out red envelopes to employees as a sign of gratitude.
朋友之间也可以互赠红包表达祝福。
péng yǒu zhī jiān yě kě yǐ hù zèng hóng bāo biǎo dá zhù fú。
Friends can also exchange red envelopes to express their blessings.
5 mini stories
春节的时候，妈妈给了我一个红包。爸爸说里面装着压岁钱。
chūn jié de shí hòu， mā ma gěi le wǒ yí gè hóng bāo。 bà ba shuō lǐ miàn zhuāng zhe yā suì qián。
During the Spring Festival, Mom gave me a red envelope. Dad said it contained lucky money.
婚礼上，我收到了很多红包，感觉很开心。
hūn lǐ shàng， wǒ shōu dào le hěn duō hóng bāo， gǎn jué hěn kāi xīn。
At the wedding, I received many red envelopes and felt very happy.
生日那天，朋友们送了我几个红包，我很感激他们。
shēng rì nà tiān， péng yǒu men sòng le wǒ jǐ gè hóng bāo， wǒ hěn gǎn jī tā men。
On my birthday, friends gave me a few red envelopes, and I was very grateful to them.
公司里领导们在春节前给员工发了很多红包。大家都很开心。
gōng sī lǐ lǐng dǎo men zài chūn jié qián gěi yuán gōng fā le hěn duō hóng bāo。 dà jiā dōu hěn kāi xīn。
Before the Spring Festival, leaders in the company gave out many red envelopes to employees. Everyone was very happy.
朋友之间互赠红包是一种很好的表达祝福的方式。
péng yǒu zhī jiān hù zèng hóng bāo shì yì zhǒng hěn hǎo de biǎo dá zhù fú de fāng shì。
Exchanging red envelopes is a great way for friends to express their blessings.
Mini dialogue
过年
A
新年快乐，给你一个红包。
Xīnnián kuàilè, gěi nǐ yī gè hóngbāo.
Happy New Year, here's a red envelope for you.
B
谢谢，红包真好看。
Xièxie, hóngbāo zhēn hǎokàn.
Thank you, the red envelope is really nice.
存钱
A
你的红包里有多少钱？
Nǐ de hóngbāo lǐ yǒu duōshǎo qián?
How much money is in your red envelope?
B
二十元，我要存起来。
Èrshí yuán, wǒ yào cún qǐlái.
Twenty yuan, I want to save it.
Related words and contrasts
related
压岁钱
yāsuìqián
lucky money given to children at New Year
压岁钱 is the money inside the 红包, given to children for good luck.
related
礼物
lǐwù
gift, present
红包 is a special gift of money; 礼物 is a general gift.