What does this red envelope say?

[The1nonlymekels]

Please help I need to know what this envelope says. Thanks!

[889]

In English, this is usually called a laisee packet. It's most commonly used at Chinese New Year, and given as a present to children and unmarried folk, with money -- the laisee -- inside.

 

恭喜发财 Gong Xi Fa Cai! (traditional New Year's greeting for prosperity in the New Year)

 

旺来 (wishing) Prosperity Comes (your way)

 

旺 Prosperity

 

好彩头 Good Luck!

[Jim]

Intrigued by the picture on the packet and learned that a pineapple is called a 旺来  in Hokkien: 福建和台湾地区称之为旺梨或者旺来（ông-lâi），新马一带称为黄梨，大陆及香港称作菠萝。有70多个品种，岭南四大名果之一 https://baike.baidu.com/item/菠萝/220259?fr=aladdin

[889]

Thank you. I was wondering about the pineapple myself.

 

Maybe this comes from Taiwan?

[Flickserve]

That's quite cool. Double meaning of the pineapple for meaning prosperity.

 

I can't recall noticing a pineapple on a laisee in Hong Kong at all. 

[mungouk]

I've seen pineapples in CNY decorations in Singapore, too.

 

Had no idea there's an English word "laisee" though... English speakers in SG would call them "red packets", while generally they're Hong Bao or Ang Pao/Ang Bao.  I guess the latter is Hokkien or Hakka?

 

 

 

 

[Flickserve]

Hokkien

[Shelley]

I am curious as to the apparent desperate "need to know" the meaning by the OP. Wonder what they thought it was? 

[889]

Perhaps laisee is Hong Kong English, like shroff and godown.

[Flickserve]

Laisee - Cantonese 

[Publius]

36 minutes ago, Flickserve said:

Laisee - Cantonese

Of course! 利是! Why I haven't thought of that.