yāsuìqián: 压岁钱 - Lucky Money, New Year's Money

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• Summary: Discover the rich tradition of 压岁钱 (yāsuìqián), the famous “lucky money” given during Chinese New Year. More than just a gift, this money, presented in red envelopes, is a powerful symbol of blessing and protection for the younger generation. This guide explores the cultural meaning, modern digital practices on WeChat, and practical etiquette surrounding this cherished Spring Festival custom.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yā suì qián
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: Money given to children as a gift during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing a wish for their safety and health in the coming year.
• In a Nutshell: 压岁钱 is the special money that children in China receive from their elders during the Spring Festival. It's not just cash; it's a tangible blessing. The core idea is to “press down” or ward off evil spirits and misfortunes for the year, ensuring the child grows up safe and sound. It's the most anticipated part of the holiday for most kids.

• 压 (yā): To press, to push down, or to suppress.
• 岁 (suì): Year, specifically a year of age.
• 钱 (qián): Money.

The literal translation is “press-down-year money.” The magic is in the word 岁 (suì). In ancient legends, there was a demon named 祟 (suì)—a perfect homophone—that would harm children on New Year's Eve. Giving this money was believed to “press down” or suppress this demon (压祟), thus protecting the child. Over time, the character changed from the demon 祟 to the year 岁, but the meaning of protection remains.

压岁钱 is a cornerstone of the Chinese New Year celebration and is deeply embedded in family values.

• A Ritual of Blessing, Not Just a Gift: In Western cultures, giving money for birthdays or Christmas is common. However, 压岁钱 is more ritualistic. It's a transfer of good fortune, love, and protection from the older generation to the younger one. The act of giving and receiving—often with the child offering New Year's greetings (拜年, bàinián) and the elder giving the red envelope in return—reinforces family bonds and respect for elders.
• Symbolism Over Value: While the amount of money is appreciated, the primary significance lies in the red envelope (红包, hóngbāo) and the act itself. Red is the color of luck, joy, and protection in Chinese culture. The money inside is traditionally new, crisp bills, signifying a fresh start for the new year. The true gift is the wish for a safe and peaceful year ahead.
• Reinforcing Family Hierarchy and Care: The flow of 压岁钱 is almost always downwards, from elders (grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles) to unmarried children or young adults. This practice beautifully illustrates the Confucian value of familial piety and the responsibility of the older generation to care for and nurture the young.

The tradition of 压岁钱 is alive and well, though it has adapted to modern life.

In face-to-face family gatherings, an elder will hand a red envelope to a child after the child offers a New Year's greeting like “新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè!)” or “恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái!)”. Children are taught to receive the envelope with two hands as a sign of respect and not to open it in front of the giver.

With the ubiquity of smartphones, digital red envelopes (微信红包, Wēixìn hóngbāo) have become extremely popular. Family members who live far apart can instantly send digital 压岁钱. This has also expanded the practice beyond just elders-to-children; friends and colleagues now send digital red envelopes to each other in group chats as a fun, gamified way of sharing good wishes.

This varies greatly by region and the family's financial situation. The amount also depends on the closeness of the relationship. Immediate family (grandparents, parents) will give the most significant amounts, while more distant relatives or family friends will give smaller amounts. The numbers are often auspicious, like 88, 188, 600, or 800, as 8 (八, bā) sounds like “wealth” (发, fā) and 6 (六, liù) symbolizes smoothness and success.

• Example 1:
  • 春节我收到了很多压岁钱。
  • Pinyin: Chūnjié wǒ shōudào le hěn duō yāsuìqián.
  • English: I received a lot of lucky money during the Spring Festival.
  • Analysis: A simple, common sentence a child or young person might say. 收到了 (shōudào le) means “received”.
• Example 2:
  • 奶奶给了我一个大红包，里面有五百块压岁钱。
  • Pinyin: Nǎinai gěi le wǒ yí ge dà hóngbāo, lǐmiàn yǒu wǔbǎi kuài yāsuìqián.
  • English: Grandma gave me a big red envelope with 500 yuan of lucky money inside.
  • Analysis: This sentence clarifies that 压岁钱 is the money inside the 红包 (hóngbāo).
• Example 3:
  • 你今年拿了多少压岁钱？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ jīnnián ná le duōshao yāsuìqián?
  • English: How much lucky money did you get this year?
  • Analysis: A very common question among children and friends after the New Year holiday. 拿了 (ná le) means “got” or “took”.
• Example 4:
  • 父母说我的压岁钱要先帮我存起来。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ shuō wǒ de yāsuìqián yào xiān bāng wǒ cún qǐlái.
  • English: My parents said they will help me save my lucky money first.
  • Analysis: A classic scenario for many children. 存起来 (cún qǐlái) is a resultative complement meaning “to save up”.
• Example 5:
  • 作为长辈，过年要给孩子们准备压岁钱。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi zhǎngbèi, guònián yào gěi háizi men zhǔnbèi yāsuìqián.
  • English: As an elder, one must prepare lucky money for the children during the New Year.
  • Analysis: This shows the perspective of the giver. 作为 (zuòwéi) means “as”, and 长辈 (zhǎngbèi) means “elder”.
• Example 6:
  • 现在很多人用微信发压岁钱，又快又方便。
  • Pinyin: Xiànzài hěn duō rén yòng Wēixìn fā yāsuìqián, yòu kuài yòu fāngbiàn.
  • English: Nowadays many people use WeChat to send lucky money; it's both fast and convenient.
  • Analysis: Highlights the modern, digital aspect of the tradition. The “又…又…” (yòu…yòu…) structure means “both…and…”.
• Example 7:
  • 小侄女甜甜地说“恭喜发财”，就是为了要压岁钱。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎo zhúnǚ tiántián de shuō “gōngxǐ fācái”, jiùshì wèile yào yāsuìqián.
  • English: My little niece sweetly said, “Wishing you prosperity,” just so she could get lucky money.
  • Analysis: A humorous and realistic sentence showing the interaction. 为了 (wèile) means “for the purpose of” or “in order to”.
• Example 8:
  • 结婚以后，你就不再收压岁钱，而是要开始发压岁钱了。
  • Pinyin: Jiéhūn yǐhòu, nǐ jiù búzài shōu yāsuìqián, érshì yào kāishǐ fā yāsuìqián le.
  • English: After you get married, you no longer receive lucky money, but instead have to start giving it out.
  • Analysis: This sentence explains a key social rule. Generally, once you are married (and thus have your own household), you transition from a receiver to a giver.
• Example 9:
  • 他把所有的压岁钱都用来买了新手机。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ suǒyǒu de yāsuìqián dōu yònglái mǎi le xīn shǒujī.
  • English: He used all of his lucky money to buy a new mobile phone.
  • Analysis: This uses the 把 (bǎ) construction to show what happened to the lucky money. 用来 (yònglái) means “to use for”.
• Example 10:
  • 给压岁钱的传统承载着长辈对晚辈的美好祝福。
  • Pinyin: Gěi yāsuìqián de chuántǒng chéngzài zhe zhǎngbèi duì wǎnbèi de měihǎo zhùfú.
  • English: The tradition of giving lucky money carries the beautiful blessings of the elders for the younger generation.
  • Analysis: A more formal and profound sentence summarizing the cultural significance. 承载着 (chéngzài zhe) means “carries” or “is laden with”.

• False Friends: 压岁钱 (yāsuìqián) vs. 红包 (hóngbāo)
  • This is the most common point of confusion. 红包 (hóngbāo) just means “red envelope.” You can receive a hóngbāo at a wedding, for a birthday, or as a work bonus. 压岁钱 (yāsuìqián) specifically refers to the lucky money given during Chinese New Year from an elder to a child for protection and good luck.
  • Correct Usage: “My grandpa gave me 1000 yuan of 压岁钱 in a 红包.”
  • Incorrect Usage: “I got a wedding 压岁钱.” (You should say “wedding 红包”).
• Etiquette Matters:
  • Giving: Don't give amounts with the number 4, as it sounds like “death” (死, sǐ). Use crisp, new bills.
  • Receiving: Always receive the envelope with two hands. It's considered rude to open it immediately in front of the giver. Say thank you and offer a New Year's greeting.
• Who Gives and Who Receives? The rule of thumb is that 压岁钱 is for the unmarried younger generation. Once you are married, you are considered an adult and are expected to start giving 压岁钱 to the children in your family, not receiving it.

• 红包 (hóngbāo) - The red envelope that 压岁钱 is placed in. A broader term for any money gift in a red envelope.
• 春节 (Chūnjié) - The Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. This is the holiday when 压岁钱 is given.
• 过年 (guònián) - To “pass the year” or celebrate the New Year. The cultural event surrounding the giving of 压岁钱.
• 拜年 (bàinián) - To pay a New Year's visit. This is the social ritual where children greet elders and often receive 压岁钱 in return.
• 长辈 (zhǎngbèi) - Elders; the generation of people who give 压岁钱 (e.g., parents, grandparents, uncles).
• 晚辈 (wǎnbèi) - The younger generation; the recipients of 压岁钱.
• 恭喜发财 (gōngxǐ fācái) - “Wishing you happiness and prosperity.” A classic New Year's greeting often said when receiving 压岁钱.
• 微信红包 (Wēixìn hóngbāo) - WeChat Red Envelope; the modern, digital way of sending lucky money.