红包 (hóng bāo) — red envelope (cash gift given during festivals or special occasions); bonus (monetary gift from a company or organization); (sometimes pejorative) kickback, bribe
Definition
红包 is a red envelope of cash given at weddings, holidays (especially 春节), or as a company bonus. The pejorative 'bribe' sense is rare; for bribery use 贿赂. Unlike 奖金 (a formal bonus or award), 红包 is given socially by individuals.
noun
red envelope (cash gift given during festivals or special occasions)bonus (monetary gift from a company or organization)(sometimes pejorative) kickbackbribe
Measure word · 个
Examples
- 红包。Mā ma gěi le wǒ yí gè hóng bāo.Mom gave me a red envelope.
- 。Gōng sī jīn nián gěi měi gè yuán gōng fā le yí gè dà hóng bāo.The company gave each employee a big bonus this year.
- ，红包。Jié hūn de shí hou, kè rén huì gěi xīn rén hóng bāo.At weddings, guests give red envelopes to the newlyweds.
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