红包 hóngbāo money wrapped in red as a gift
money wrapped in red as a gift; bonus payment; kickback; bribe
How to remember 红包: 红 red + 包 parcel = money wrapped in red as a gift.
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How it is used
- Cultural noun for money given in a red envelope, traditionally for Lunar New Year, weddings, or as a bonus.
- 发红包 (give out red envelopes), 抢红包 (grab a digital red envelope, e.g. on WeChat) are everyday modern phrases.
- 过年的时候，长辈给我们红包 (guònián de shíhou, zhǎngbèi gěi wǒmen hóngbāo) - At New Year, elders give us red envelopes.
- Also extends to bribes/kickbacks in a negative sense - context distinguishes the festive gift from the illicit payment.