财神爷 (cái shén yé) — god of wealth (folk deity); (figurative) very wealthy person; someone who brings financial luck

Definition

Folk deity of wealth, often pictured on posters or invited to business openings for good luck. Figuratively, calling someone a 财神爷 is a playful way to say they're very rich or bring money.

noun
god of wealth (folk deity)(figurative) very wealthy personsomeone who brings financial luck

Examples

  • ，财神爷。
    Guò nián de shí hou, hěn duō rén jiā lǐ dōu huì tiē cái shén yé de huà xiàng.
    During the New Year, many families put up pictures of the God of Wealth.
  • ，财神爷。
    Tā zuò shēng yi zhuàn le dà qián, dà jiā dōu jiào tā cái shén yé.
    He made a fortune in business, so everyone calls him the God of Wealth.
  • 财神爷。
    Zhè jiā diàn kāi yè nà tiān tè yì qǐng le cái shén yé.
    This shop specially invited the God of Wealth on its opening day.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

财神wealth god
财cáiwealth神shéngod
偏正Modifier + head
爷yéhonorific

财神 names the wealth god, and 爷 adds an honorific sense used for deities.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 財; 财 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
貝貝bèishell
Sound part声符shēngfú
才
才cái財cái
Same sound today

The traditional form 財 has 貝 (shell) next to 才, which gives the sound; the simplified 财 is a later shorthand.

Open 财 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
示示shìgod; deity
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn神shén
Same sound today

The older form 申 drew lightning, which the ancients regarded as divine; 神 adds 示 (god/deity) to mark that meaning.

Open 神 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 爺; 爷 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
父父fùfather
Sound part声符shēngfú
耶
耶yē爺yé
Same sound today

The traditional form 爺 combines 父, meaning father, with 耶 as a sound part; the simplified 爷 is a later shorthand, so its visible pieces do not carry that original role.

Open 爷 →

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