Tuesday 12 February 2008

紅包 - hóng bāo – red envelopes



It is a tradition during the Chinese New Year to give red envelopes containing money, these are particularly given to children.

The first character is 紅, hóng meaning red.

The second character is 包, bāo meaning an envelope.

hóng is pronounced hong, with a 2nd or rising tone.

bāo is pronounced bow, to rhyme with cow, and has a 1st or high, level tone.