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压岁钱 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
压岁钱yāsuìqiánmoney given to children as new year presentHSK 5, n, 22 strokes, rank #46974, Hard
yāsuìqián(ya1sui4qian2) T1
  1. 1money given to children as new year present
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March 24, 2026

压岁钱(壓歲錢)yāsuìqián(ya1sui4qian2)

压岁钱 refers to the traditional practice of giving money to children during the Chinese New Year as a symbol of good luck and blessings for the upcoming year. This custom is often represented in red envelopes, signifying prosperity and warding off evil spirits. It is a way to convey well-wishes and strengthen family bonds.

Strokes22Frequency#46974DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 压岁钱 is a cherished tradition that not only signifies financial support but also imparts blessings and hopes for health and success in the new year. The act of giving and receiving is deeply rooted in familial relationships and cultural values.

Memory Tip

Think of 压 (ya1) as 'pressing down' and 岁 (sui4) as 'years'—imagine pressing down your wishes for a prosperous new year into a red envelope, filled with 钱 (qian2) or money. Visualize a joyful child receiving this precious envelope, linking the character's components to the concept of celebrating the new year.

Meanings of 压岁钱

yāsuìqián(ya1sui4qian2)
1money given to children as new year present
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About 压岁钱

压岁钱Simplified
壓歲錢Traditional
22Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#46974Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5HSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

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Podcast: 压岁钱

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AI Study Notes for 压岁钱

Usage Notes

When using 压岁钱 in conversation, it’s important to remember that it is typically given from elders to children, making it a formal gesture of goodwill. Common mistakes include using it in a context that suggests adult transactions; for example, saying 'I gave 压岁钱 to my friend' would be incorrect. Instead, reserve it for family exchanges.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 压岁钱 connects with themes of family, tradition, and cultural practices, which are vital at this level. Students should focus on its usage in cultural contexts and practice with associated vocabulary, such as 新年 (xīn nián - New Year) and 红包 (hóng bāo - red envelope).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 压岁钱 with general 'gift money' or 'birthday money,' using it outside the New Year context. For instance, saying 'I received 压岁钱 on my birthday' is incorrect; it should be specified for Chinese New Year celebrations.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 压岁钱

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Component Characters

压yāto press
HSK 46 strokes厂
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岁suìyears old
HSK 16 strokes山
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钱qiáncoin
HSK 110 strokes钅
View full entry

How to say money given to children as new year present in Chinese

“money given to children as new year present” in Chinese is压岁钱yāsuìqián

压岁钱 refers to the traditional practice of giving money to children during the Chinese New Year as a symbol of good luck and blessings for the upcoming year. This custom is often represented in red envelopes, signifying prosperity and warding off evil spirits. It is a way to convey well-wishes and strengthen family bonds.

When to use 压岁钱

When using 压岁钱 in conversation, it’s important to remember that it is typically given from elders to children, making it a formal gesture of goodwill. Common mistakes include using it in a context that suggests adult transactions; for example, saying 'I gave 压岁钱 to my friend' would be incorrect. Instead, reserve it for family exchanges.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 压岁钱 with general 'gift money' or 'birthday money,' using it outside the New Year context. For instance, saying 'I received 压岁钱 on my birthday' is incorrect; it should be specified for Chinese New Year celebrations.

Write 压岁钱

压
岁
钱

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Frequently Asked Questions about 压岁钱

压岁钱 is usually given during the Chinese New Year festivities, starting from New Year's Eve until the Lantern Festival.

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