Definition

1. Noun:
   • Red envelope, lucky money envelope: A small, usually red, decorative envelope used to contain money as a gift, especially during the Lunar New Year (Tết) or other celebratory occasions like weddings or birthdays.
   • A sum of money given as a gift or tip: The monetary gift itself, presented within such an envelope.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông nội tặng các cháu phong bao lì xì đỏ thắm. (Grandfather gave the children bright red lucky money envelopes.)
  • Nhân viên nhận được phong bao từ khách hàng hài lòng. (The staff received a tip [in an envelope] from a satisfied customer.)
  • Trong phong bao là một số tiền mừng cưới. (Inside the envelope was a sum of wedding gift money.)

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Context: The act of giving (lucky money) during Tết symbolizes the transfer of luck, good wishes, and blessings from elders to the younger generation. The red color of the envelope symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.
• Verb Implication: While primarily a noun, the phrase (to give out red envelopes) is commonly used to describe the action.

Variants and Related Words

• Lì xì / Lì xì (n): Specifically refers to the lucky money given to children during the Lunar New Year. Often used in the compound term phong bao lì xì.
• Bao thơ (n): A plain, often white envelope, typically used for formal correspondence or documents, not for monetary gifts.
• Tiền mừng tuổi (n): The money given as an age-wishing gift (often inside a ).

Synonyms

• Tiền tip (n): Tip money (more direct, less cultural).
• Tiền mừng (n): Gift money (for celebrations).
• Envelope (n): The general object (lacks the specific cultural and gift connotations).

Related Phrases

• Phong bao lì xì (n): The full, most common term for a Lunar New Year lucky money envelope.
• Nhận phong bao (v): To receive a red envelope/gift of money.
• Mừng tuổi bằng phong bao (v): To give a Lunar New Year gift using a red envelope.

1. Make a gift of money wrapped in a parcel (to children on New Year's day
2. Tip, give a tip