Red Envelopes

你好，今天我们来学红包。

Nǐ hǎo, jīntiān wǒmen lái xué hóngbāo.

Hello, today we will learn about red envelopes.

红包是一个红色的小信封。

Hóngbāo shì yí gè hóngsè de xiǎo xìnfēng.

A red envelope is a small red envelope.

里面装着钱，是送给别人的礼物。

Lǐmiàn zhuāng zhe qián, shì sònggěi biéren de lǐwù.

It holds money and is a gift for others.

过年的时候，长辈常常给孩子红包。

Guònián de shíhou, zhǎngbèi chángcháng gěi háizi hóngbāo.

At New Year, elders often give children red envelopes.

你收到过红包吗？

Nǐ shōudào guò hóngbāo ma?

Have you ever received a red envelope?

红包的故事很久很久以前就开始了。

Hóngbāo de gùshi hěn jiǔ hěn jiǔ yǐqián jiù kāishǐ le.

The story of red envelopes began a very long time ago.

古时候，人们相信过年会有坏东西来。

Gǔ shíhou, rénmen xiāngxìn guònián huì yǒu huài dōngxi lái.

In ancient times, people believed bad things came at New Year.

大人把古钱放在孩子的床边。

Dàren bǎ gǔ qián fàng zài háizi de chuáng biān.

Adults put old coins beside the children's beds.

他们希望这样可以保护孩子。

Tāmen xīwàng zhèyàng kěyǐ bǎohù háizi.

They hoped this could protect the children.

这些钱叫做压岁钱。

Zhèxiē qián jiào zuò yā suì qián.

This money is called yasuiqian, lucky New Year money.

后来，人们用红线把古钱连起来。

Hòulái, rénmen yòng hóng xiàn bǎ gǔ qián lián qǐlai.

Later, people linked the old coins together with red thread.

再后来，人们开始用红纸包钱。

Zài hòulái, rénmen kāishǐ yòng hóng zhǐ bāo qián.

Later still, people began wrapping money in red paper.

这就是今天红包的由来。

Zhè jiùshì jīntiān hóngbāo de yóulái.

This is the origin of today's red envelope.

虽然样子变了，但是好意没有变。

Suīrán yàngzi biàn le, dànshì hǎoyì méiyǒu biàn.

Although the look changed, the good wishes did not.

为什么红包是红色的呢？

Wèishénme hóngbāo shì hóngsè de ne?

Why are red envelopes red?

在中国，红色代表好运和快乐。

Zài zhōngguó, hóngsè dàibiǎo hǎoyùn hé kuàilè.

In China, red stands for good luck and happiness.

过年时，家家都挂红色的灯。

Guònián shí, jiā jiā dōu guà hóngsè de dēng.

At New Year, every home hangs red lights.

红色的红包会让人觉得很温暖。

Hóngsè de hóngbāo huì ràng rén juéde hěn wēnnuǎn.

A red envelope makes people feel warm.

所以人们结婚和过生日也送红包。

Suǒyǐ rénmen jiéhūn hé guò shēngrì yě sòng hóngbāo.

So people also give red envelopes at weddings and birthdays.

现在，很多人用手机发红包。

Xiànzài, hěn duō rén yòng shǒujī fā hóngbāo.

Now, many people send red envelopes on their phones.

大家一边聊天，一边抢红包。

Dàjiā yìbiān liáo tiān, yìbiān qiǎng hóngbāo.

People chat while grabbing red envelopes.

这样做很有意思，也很方便。

Zhèyàng zuò hěn yǒuyìsi, yě hěn fāngbiàn.

This is fun and also convenient.

很远的朋友也能马上收到。

Hěn yuǎn de péngyou yě néng mǎshàng shōudào.

Friends very far away can receive them right away.

给红包时，要用两只手给过去。

Gěi hóngbāo shí, yào yòng liǎng zhī shǒu gěi guòqù.

When giving a red envelope, give it with two hands.

收红包的人要说谢谢。

Shōu hóngbāo de rén yào shuō xièxie.

The person receiving should say thank you.

红包里的钱不一定很多。

Hóngbāo lǐ de qián bùyídìng hěn duō.

The money inside does not have to be a lot.

最重要的是那份好运和爱。

Zuì zhòngyào de shì nà fèn hǎoyùn hé ài.

The most important thing is the luck and love.

你们那里也有这样的习惯吗？

Nǐmen nàli yě yǒu zhèyàng de xíguàn ma?

Do you have a custom like this where you live?