ご祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)

A compound of ご祝儀(しゅうぎ) (congratulatory gift, tip) and 袋(ぶくろ) (bag, envelope). These special envelopes are an essential part of Japanese gift-giving culture, particularly for weddings.

Cultural note

For weddings, the standard gift amount is 三万円(さんまんえん) (30,000 yen) for friends and colleagues. Odd numbers are preferred because they cannot be evenly divided (symbolizing the couple staying together). The envelope should be written with the giver's full name using a brush pen (筆(ふで)ペン). Different styles of 水引(みずひき) (decorative cords) are used for different occasions — a tied bow for weddings indicates a one-time celebration.

Common collocations

• ご祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)に名前(なまえ)を書(か)く — to write one's name on the envelope
• ご祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)にお金(かね)を入(い)れる — to put money in the envelope
• ご祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)の選(えら)び方(かた) — how to choose the right envelope

Related words

• ご祝儀(しゅうぎ) — congratulatory gift money; the money itself
• 水引(みずひき) — decorative paper cords on gift envelopes
• 不祝儀袋(ぶしゅうぎぶくろ) — condolence money envelope; the counterpart used at funerals
• 香典袋(こうでんぶくろ) — incense money envelope; another term for funeral gift envelopes