Chinese word

礼金

Pronunciation

Pinyinlǐ jīn

Meaning

  • noungift money

Example

朋友结婚时送了礼金。péng yǒu jié hūn shí sòng le lǐ jīn

A friend gave gift money when they got married.

Illustration for 礼金 (gift money)

More examples

婚礼上大家都给了礼金，现场很热闹。hūn lǐ shàng dà jiā dōu gěi le lǐ jīn xiàn chǎng hěn rè nào

At the wedding, everyone gave gift money, and the celebration was lively.

Core concept

A cash gift that carries a social message of goodwill at an important personal occasion.

Common phrases

  • 送礼金sòng lǐ jīn

    give gift money

  • 给礼金gěi lǐ jīn

    give gift money

  • 收下礼金shōu xià lǐ jīn

    accept gift money

Similar words

红包hóng bāo: Cash given in a red envelope as a customary gift for a celebration.
压岁钱yā suì qián: Money given by older family members to children at the Spring Festival.
礼物lǐ wù: A thing given to someone as a gift for a special occasion.

Definition in Chinese

为表示祝贺或敬意，在婚礼、寿宴等特定场合以现金形式赠送的礼物，常用红包或信封盛放。wèi biǎo shì zhù hè huò jìng yì zài hūn lǐ shòu yàn děng tè dìng chǎng hé yǐ xiàn jīn xíng shì zèng sòng de lǐ wù cháng yòng hóng bāo huò xìn fēng shèng fàng

Word origin

礼 (lǐ, "courtesy") points to proper social regard, while 金 (jīn, "money") specifies the form that the regard takes.

Usage tips

  • The expected amount usually reflects the relationship and the occasion, so this expression does not describe a fixed fee or a standard price.

Other meanings

  • thank-you paymentnoun
  • condolence moneynoun

Word lists with this word