what does —˜¥ mean?

[JimmySeal]

I just received a piece of candy with the characters 利是 on it. Actually the 日 at the top of 是 is sideways like in 免, but I think it's the same character. Anyway, does this combination mean anything?

 

[leonmarino]

I did some Googling and found a few China-related pages.. My best guess is that it means the same as the Japanese Otosidama. Ah, here is a even better page.

 

[JimmySeal]

Ah, that makes sense. I received a "—˜¥'Ü" along with the candy, but —˜¥ wasn't printed anywhere on that, though there is a large pig.

 

[fin1990]

Actually "—˜¥" has a meaning of wish you lucky.
It is similar to '¨"N‹Ê in Japan.

"—˜¥" can also called g •ï or g •• •ï , ( in Cantonese, we used to call it —˜¥ rather than g •ï or g •• •ï, I think g •ï or g •• •ï are used more often in in Mandarin.)

—˜¥ is a little red paper made pocket filled with money. It acts as a present in many Chinese tranditional festival. Giving each other —˜¥ is a custom in China. The most common practise is to give —˜¥ to each other in Chinese New Year, wedding and birthday. Red colour represent happy and lucky in Chinese, so —˜¥ is in red colour.

Usually, only married ones give —˜¥ to others. Unmarried one no need. (but all people can receive —˜¥). However, these custom has changed a little bit. In some offices, unmarried one also need to give —˜¥ to others, I think this custom is diferent in different offices.

 

[—À铠赞]

May I know how to pronouce 利是 in Cantonese?... 多谢哦！

 

[hot12lips12]

May I know how to pronouce —˜¥ in Cantonese?... '½谢šGI

i think it's li(4), shi(4)

 

[tokapi]

Mandarin-speaking Chinese folks commonly say " 壓歳錢 " for お年玉 ....

 

[sxdxland]

may be it is a trademark,i think.