Chinese Conversation · Level 48
90 words
Chinese word
恭喜发财
Pronunciation
Pinyingōng xǐ fā cái
Meaning
- interjectionwishing you prosperity
Example
过年时大家都会说恭喜发财。guò nián shí dà jiā dū huì shuō gōng xǐ fā cái
During the New Year, everyone says, "Wishing you prosperity."
More examples
收到红包后，大家常说：恭喜发财。shōu dào hóng bāo hòu dà jiā cháng shuō gōng xǐ fā cái
After receiving red envelopes, everyone often says, "Wishing you prosperity."
Core concept
A blessing that turns congratulations into a hope for expanding fortune, especially in work or trade.
Common phrases
说恭喜发财shuō gōng xǐ fā cái
say "wishing you prosperity"
回恭喜发财huí gōng xǐ fā cái
reply "wishing you prosperity"
互道恭喜发财hù dào gōng xǐ fā cái
wish each other prosperity
Similar words
恭喜gōng xǐ: A concise congratulatory greeting for a happy event or successful result.
恭喜恭喜gōng xǐ gōng xǐ: A friendly repeated greeting said in response to being congratulated.
过年好guò nián hǎo: An informal greeting that wishes someone well at Lunar New Year.
大吉大利dà jí dà lì: A traditional four-character blessing for abundant good luck and favorable outcomes.
Definition in Chinese
用于春节等庆祝场合的感叹词，用以对他人表示祝贺并礼貌地祝愿对方在新的一年里发财兴旺。yòng yú chūn jié děng qìng zhù chǎng hé de gǎn tàn cí yòng yǐ duì tā rén biǎo shì zhù hè bìng lǐ mào dì zhù yuàn duì fāng zài xīn de yì nián lǐ fā cái xīng wàng
Word origin
恭 (gōng, "respectful") + 喜 (xǐ, "joy") gives a courteous celebration, and 发 (fā, "gain") + 财 (cái, "wealth") gives the wish for prosperity.
Usage tips
- English speakers may hear a money wish as blunt, but Chinese uses this set phrase warmly in festive and commercial greetings.