New Members The1nonlymekels Posted February 23, 2019 at 05:27 AM New Members Report Share Posted February 23, 2019 at 05:27 AM Please help I need to know what this envelope says. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
889 Posted February 23, 2019 at 08:16 AM Report Share Posted February 23, 2019 at 08:16 AM In English, this is usually called a laisee packet. It's most commonly used at Chinese New Year, and given as a present to children and unmarried folk, with money -- the laisee -- inside. 恭喜发财 Gong Xi Fa Cai! (traditional New Year's greeting for prosperity in the New Year) 旺来 (wishing) Prosperity Comes (your way) 旺 Prosperity 好彩头 Good Luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jim Posted February 23, 2019 at 02:56 PM Popular Post Report Share Posted February 23, 2019 at 02:56 PM Intrigued by the picture on the packet and learned that a pineapple is called a 旺来 in Hokkien: 福建和台湾地区称之为旺梨或者旺来（ông-lâi），新马一带称为黄梨，大陆及香港称作菠萝。有70多个品种，岭南四大名果之一 https://baike.baidu.com/item/菠萝/220259?fr=aladdin 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
889 Posted February 24, 2019 at 01:58 AM Report Share Posted February 24, 2019 at 01:58 AM Thank you. I was wondering about the pineapple myself. Maybe this comes from Taiwan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flickserve Posted February 24, 2019 at 02:27 AM Report Share Posted February 24, 2019 at 02:27 AM That's quite cool. Double meaning of the pineapple for meaning prosperity. I can't recall noticing a pineapple on a laisee in Hong Kong at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungouk Posted February 24, 2019 at 10:46 PM Report Share Posted February 24, 2019 at 10:46 PM I've seen pineapples in CNY decorations in Singapore, too. Had no idea there's an English word "laisee" though... English speakers in SG would call them "red packets", while generally they're Hong Bao or Ang Pao/Ang Bao. I guess the latter is Hokkien or Hakka? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flickserve Posted February 24, 2019 at 11:15 PM Report Share Posted February 24, 2019 at 11:15 PM Hokkien Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted February 25, 2019 at 01:02 AM Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 at 01:02 AM I am curious as to the apparent desperate "need to know" the meaning by the OP. Wonder what they thought it was? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
889 Posted February 25, 2019 at 03:42 AM Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 at 03:42 AM Perhaps laisee is Hong Kong English, like shroff and godown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flickserve Posted February 25, 2019 at 04:35 AM Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 at 04:35 AM Laisee - Cantonese Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Publius Posted February 25, 2019 at 05:10 AM Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 at 05:10 AM 36 minutes ago, Flickserve said: Laisee - Cantonese Of course! 利是! Why I haven't thought of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and select your username and password later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.