zhouhana Posted July 19, 2011 at 09:31 PM Report Posted July 19, 2011 at 09:31 PM Hello, It's my step-son's birthday tomorrow and since we're about to move to China I decided to get him a red envelope with some yuan in it. I know these are normally given as a New Year's or wedding gift, but as I understand it they are sometimes also given as a birthday gift. The envelope I managed to get hold of bears the text 滚滚而来 恭喜发财 What does it mean (word by word and as a whole) and could it pass as a birthday greeting? (I found out by googling that 恭喜发财 is a common New Year's greeting.) Thank you! Quote
yellowpower Posted July 19, 2011 at 09:46 PM Report Posted July 19, 2011 at 09:46 PM hi indeed, it's a very standard chinese new year greeting...probably the 'red packet envelope' that you have is for chinese new year. But that said, it is OK to use it for B-day, as you are conveying your best wishes and no one can say it's wrong to convey good tidings. The first line I would translate "billowing/rolling of endless waves", and the second line "abundance of wealth and prosperity" dunno, maybe someone else can share too... 1 Quote
New Members Bean Posted July 20, 2011 at 03:05 AM New Members Report Posted July 20, 2011 at 03:05 AM 滚滚而来 = (money) comes like the billowy wave 恭喜发财 = May you be rich It can be used for any kind of greeting in china. 1 Quote
zhouhana Posted July 20, 2011 at 10:22 AM Author Report Posted July 20, 2011 at 10:22 AM Thank you yellowpower for the literal translation and Bean for the more idiomatic one! Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and select your username and password later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.