make a fortune; get rich; (old polite) work
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to make a fortune; to get rich; to earn a large amount of money
Refers to acquiring significant wealth, often suddenly or through business success. Commonly used in greetings during Chinese New Year.
Tā他
zuò做
shēng生
yì意
fā发
cái财
le了
。
He got rich doing business.
Zhù祝
nǐ你
xīn新
nián年
kuài快
lè乐
，
gōng恭
xǐ喜
fā发
cái财
！
Wishing you a happy New Year and prosperity!
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Tā他
zǒng总
mèng梦
xiǎng想
zhe着
yǒu有
yī一
tiān天
néng能
fā发
cái财
zhì致
fù富
。
He always dreams of getting rich one day.
verb
(archaic polite formula) to work; to be employed (used when asking about someone's job)
archaicA traditional polite greeting used to inquire about someone's occupation. Now considered old-fashioned and rarely used in modern conversation.
Nín您
zài在
nǎ哪
lǐ里
fā发
cái财
？
Where are you working? (polite, old-fashioned)
Tīng听
shuō说
nín您
qù去
nián年
fā发
cái财
le了
，
gōng恭
xǐ喜
gōng恭
xǐ喜
！
I heard you got a new position last year, congratulations!