hung4 baau1 fung1紅封包红封包
Jyutpinghung4 baau1 fung1
Yalehùhng bāau fūng
Definition
Red packet; a red envelope containing money, given as a gift.
colloquialfestivalmoney
How it's used
While the term 紅封包 is widely understood, many speakers in Hong Kong prefer the shorter 利是. Using the full term can sometimes sound slightly more formal or descriptive, whereas 利是 is the default choice for everyday conversation. It is customary to give these in even numbers, as odd numbers are associated with funerals.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
How many red packets did you give out this Lunar New Year?
Kids are definitely very happy when they receive red packets.
Related words
Common phrases
to give out red packets
to receive red packets
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use the Mandarin term 紅包, which is understood but sounds foreign. Stick to 利是 or 紅封包 to sound more natural in a local context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
