ご祝儀(しゅうぎ)

ごしゅうぎ
noun
congratulatory gift money; monetary gift for celebrations
1. congratulatory gift money; cash gift given for weddings and other celebrations
money given as a gift at weddings and other celebratory occasions, presented in a special envelope
結婚式(けっこんしき)のご祝儀(しゅうぎ)はいくら包(つつ)めばいい？
How much should I give as a wedding gift?
ご祝儀(しゅうぎ)は新札(しんさつ)で用意(ようい)するのがマナーだ。
It's proper etiquette to prepare the gift money with new bills.
ご祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)に名前(なまえ)を書(か)いて受付(うけつけ)に渡(わた)した。
I wrote my name on the gift envelope and handed it to the reception desk.

FORMATION:
ご (honorific) + 祝儀(しゅうぎ) (celebratory gift) → respectful celebratory gift

WEDDING GIFT AMOUNTS:

Typical amounts for wedding ご祝儀(しゅうぎ) in Japan:

  • 友人(ゆうじん) (friend): ¥30,000
  • 親戚(しんせき) (relative): ¥50,000-100,000
  • 上司(じょうし) (boss): ¥30,000-50,000
  • 同僚(どうりょう) (colleague): ¥30,000

IMPORTANT RULES:

  • Use 奇数(きすう) (odd numbers): 1, 3, 5, 7 are preferred
  • Avoid 偶数(ぐうすう) (even numbers): especially 2, 4 (divisible = separation)
  • Avoid 9: sounds like 苦(く) (suffering)
  • Use 新札(しんさつ) (new bills)

GIFT ENVELOPE:

  • ご祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ) or のし袋(ぶくろ)
  • 水引(みずひき) (decorative cord) should be 蝶結(ちょうむす)び or 結(むす)び切(き)り for weddings

RELATED TERMS:

  • ご祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)/のし袋(ぶくろ) (gift envelope)
  • 内祝(うちいわ)い (return gift for ご祝儀(しゅうぎ))
  • 不祝儀(ふしゅうぎ) (condolence money - opposite)
general
Added 2026.1.26 13:26
08000/08356_goshuugi