lei6 si6 fung1利是封

Jyutpinglei6 si6 fung1

Yaleleih sih fūng

名詞

Definition

Red envelope or packet used for giving lucky money, typically during Chinese New Year.

colloquialfestivalmoney

How it's used

People often distinguish between the money itself, which is called 利是, and the decorative paper envelope, which is the 利是封. While the envelope is traditionally red, modern versions come in various colors and designs, especially for weddings or corporate branding. It is considered polite to use new, crisp envelopes rather than wrinkled or reused ones when gifting money.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

ni1呢go3個lai6利si6是fung1封hou2好leng3靚aa4呀。

This laisee envelope is very pretty.

nei5你maai5買zo2咗lai6利si6是fung1封mei6未aa4呀？

Have you bought the laisee envelopes yet?

Common phrases

paai3派lai6利si6是fung1封

to distribute laisee envelopes

maai5買lai6利si6是fung1封

to buy laisee envelopes

Common mistake

Beginners sometimes confuse the envelope itself with the gift of money inside. Remember that you give someone a 利是, but you put that money into a 利是封.