ご祝 儀(しゅうぎ)

ごしゅうぎ

noun

congratulatory gift money; monetary gift for celebrations

formalmoney culture society

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.

Forms

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 words

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)

Related Words

Antonym: 不祝儀(ぶしゅうぎ) (condolence money)

Related: お返(かえ)し (return gift)

Related: のし袋(ぶくろ) (gift envelope)

Related: 内祝(うちいわ)い (return gift)

Compare: 祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ) (gift money envelope)

general

Added 2026.1.26 13:26 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

08000/08356_goshuugi