Meaning of 红包
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- money wrapped in red as a gift
- bonus payment
- kickback
- bribe
How to use 红包
红包 is most often the red envelope of cash given at Spring Festival, weddings, and birthdays, and today also the digital money gifts sent on WeChat. It can also mean a work bonus, or in negative contexts a bribe or kickback. Example: 过年的时候，奶奶给了我一个红包。(Guònián de shíhou, nǎinai gěi le wǒ yí ge hóngbāo.) At New Year, Grandma gave me a red envelope.
红 (hóng) means red and 包 (bāo) means a packet or something wrapped up. Picture a little red packet wrapped around money, the classic gift at Chinese New Year.
Common mistake: Learners often say 送红包 when they mean receiving one. Use 给/发红包 (gěi/fā hóngbāo) for giving and 收红包 (shōu hóngbāo) or 拿红包 for receiving. Also keep 包 in first tone, bāo, not bào.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
红 hóng · red · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
包 bāo · to cover · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 红包.
| 面包 | miànbāo | bread |
| 钱包 | qiánbāo | purse; wallet |
| 包子 | bāozi | baozi; bao (steamed stuffed bun) |
| 书包 | shūbāo | schoolbag; satchel |
| 红色 | hóngsè | red (color); revolutionary |
| 红酒 | hóngjiǔ | red wine |
| 皮包 | píbāo | handbag; briefcase |
| 红茶 | hóngchá | black tea |
| 包括 | bāokuò | to comprise; to include |
| 包裹 | bāoguǒ | to wrap up; to bind up |
| 包含 | bāohán | to contain; to embody |
| 包围 | bāowéi | to surround; to encircle; to hem in |
Questions about 红包
What does 红包 mean?
红包 (hóngbāo) means "money wrapped in red as a gift; bonus payment" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 红包?
红包 is made of 2 characters: 红 (6 strokes), 包 (5 strokes). That is 11 strokes in total.
Is 红包 an HSK word?
Yes. 红包 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 红包 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 红包 is written 紅包.
What is the measure word for 红包?
Use 个 (gè), as in 一个红包 (yí ge hóngbāo). In formal or written contexts you may also see 封 (fēng), since it is an envelope.
What does 抢红包 mean?
抢红包 (qiǎng hóngbāo) means grabbing digital red envelopes in a group chat, usually on WeChat. Someone sends a set amount, and members race to tap it and get a random share.