祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)

しゅうぎぶくろ
noun
gift money envelope; celebratory envelope
culturedaily-life
1. gift money envelope; celebratory envelope
A decorative envelope used for giving monetary gifts at celebrations such as weddings, births, and other happy occasions. The envelopes are typically white with red-and-white or gold-and-silver mizuhiki ties, and the giver writes their name on the front.
祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)を用意(ようい)する。
I'll prepare a gift money envelope.
結婚式(けっこんしき)に持(も)っていく祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)を買(か)った。
I bought a gift money envelope to take to the wedding.
祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)に新札(しんさつ)を入(い)れて、表書(おもてが)きに名前(なまえ)を書(か)いた。
I put new bills in the gift envelope and wrote my name on the front.

An essential item for Japanese celebratory occasions. The type of envelope, the style of the mizuhiki knot, and the amount of money inside all follow specific etiquette rules.

Common collocations

  • 祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)に入(い)れる: to put money in a gift envelope
  • 祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)の表書(おもてが)き: the writing on the front of the envelope
  • 祝儀袋(しゅうぎぶくろ)の書(か)き方(かた): how to write on a gift envelope

Cultural note

  • New, crisp bills (新札(しんさつ)) should be used for celebratory occasions
  • The 水引(みずひき) (decorative cord) style matters: a bow knot for births (repeatable events) and a firm knot for weddings (one-time events)
  • Not to be confused with 不祝儀袋(ぶしゅうぎぶくろ)/香典袋(こうでんぶくろ), which are used for funerals and have black-and-white or silver ties

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: ご祝儀(しゅうぎ) (the monetary gift itself)
Compare: 香典袋(こうでんぶくろ) (condolence money envelope)
Compare: 封筒(ふうとう) (envelope)
Related: 結婚祝(けっこんいわ)い (wedding gift)
Related: お祝(いわ)い金(きん) (celebratory gift of money)
general
Added 2026.3.31 7:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
20500/20945_shuugibukuro