zhouhana Posted July 19, 2011 at 09:31 PM Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 at 09:31 PM Hello, It's my step-son's birthday tomorrow and since we're about to move to China I decided to get him a red envelope with some yuan in it. I know these are normally given as a New Year's or wedding gift, but as I understand it they are sometimes also given as a birthday gift. The envelope I managed to get hold of bears the text 滚滚而来 恭喜发财 What does it mean (word by word and as a whole) and could it pass as a birthday greeting? (I found out by googling that 恭喜发财 is a common New Year's greeting.) Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowpower Posted July 19, 2011 at 09:46 PM Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 at 09:46 PM hi indeed, it's a very standard chinese new year greeting...probably the 'red packet envelope' that you have is for chinese new year. But that said, it is OK to use it for B-day, as you are conveying your best wishes and no one can say it's wrong to convey good tidings. The first line I would translate "billowing/rolling of endless waves", and the second line "abundance of wealth and prosperity" dunno, maybe someone else can share too... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members Bean Posted July 20, 2011 at 03:05 AM New Members Report Share Posted July 20, 2011 at 03:05 AM 滚滚而来 = (money) comes like the billowy wave 恭喜发财 = May you be rich It can be used for any kind of greeting in china. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhouhana Posted July 20, 2011 at 10:22 AM Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2011 at 10:22 AM Thank you yellowpower for the literal translation and Bean for the more idiomatic one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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