恭喜发财，红包拿来
gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo ná lái
Happy new year, now hand over the red envelope · trad. 恭喜發財，紅包拿來
恭喜发财，红包拿来 (gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo ná lái) is a playful, rhyming phrase often used by children and joking adults during Chinese New Year to ask for a red envelope from relatives. It combines a traditional New Year's greeting with a cheeky request for a gift.
What does 恭喜发财，红包拿来 (gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo ná lái) mean?
恭喜发财，红包拿来 (gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo ná lái) means “happy New Year, now hand over the red envelope” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “congratulations get rich, red envelope bring here.”
When to use it
Cheeky and affectionate, this phrase is suitable for close relatives and family friends, especially during Chinese New Year. It is not appropriate for formal settings, bosses, or clients. It's particularly well-known in Singapore and Malaysia.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "gong-shee fah-tsai, hong-bao nah-lai." 恭喜发财 goes high, dipping, high, rising; 红包拿来 goes rising, high, rising, rising.
Other ways to say it
- 恭喜发财gōngxǐ fācáiHappy New Year and may you be prosperous (the traditional greeting)
- 新年快乐xīnnián kuàilèHappy New Year (a more general greeting)
- 红包拿来hóngbāo ná láiHand over the red envelope (the direct request, often playful)
Examples
小明对奶奶说：恭喜发财，红包拿来！
Xiǎomíng duì nǎinai shuō: gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo ná lái!
Xiao Ming said to his grandma, "Happy New Year, now hand over the red envelope!"
过年的时候，孩子们会开玩笑地说：恭喜发财，红包拿来！
guònián de shíhou, háizimen huì kāi wánxiào de shuō: gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo ná lái!
At Chinese New Year, children jokingly say, "Happy New Year, now hand over the red envelope!"
叔叔阿姨，恭喜发财！
shūshu āyí, gōngxǐ fācái!
Uncle and Aunt, Happy New Year and be prosperous!
Watch it in 20 seconds
A short animated clip with Xiao Jin, our monkey mascot — the phrase, an example, and native audio.
Pro tip: While “恭喜发财” is a common New Year greeting, adding “红包拿来” makes it a humorous demand for a red envelope, typically used by children with close family.
Related phrases
步步高升 · May you rise step by step岁岁平安 · Peace and safety year after year财源滚滚 · May wealth pour in
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