财神来，钱财到 (Cáishén lái, qiáncái dào) To Greet the God of Wealth and wish for good fortune
财神 (cáishén): n the God of Wealth
迎接 (yíngjiē): v to greet
诚信 (chéngxìn): n honesty
During the Chinese New Year, the most important business motto is “财源滚滚 (cáiyuán gǔngǔn) profits can pour in from all sides.”
So in China, businesses will close on lunar new year’s eve and have a grand opening on the 5th of January in the lunar new year.
People will set off firecrackers and fireworks “迎接 (yíngjiē) to greet” the God of Wealth. Doing so is supposed to bring them fortune of wealth and also their customers a happy Chinese New Year.
Why do businesses choose January 5 to greet “财神 (cáishén) the God of Wealth?”
Generally speaking, Chinese people consecrate a Taoist god named Zhao Gaoming as the God of Wealth and his birthday is said to be on the “正月 (zhēngyuè) lunar January” 5th.
Many Chinese businesses embrace the image of Zhao Gongming, wishing he would bless their business with success.
There is another god worshiped by some Chinese business people named Guan Yu.
He was a hero from a Chinese classic novel called The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
He is famous for his “忠诚 (zhōngchéng) loyalty,” “正义 (zhèngyì) righteousness” as well as his “诚信 (chéngxìn) honest.”
All of these are aspects that are highly appraised in the modern business community.
Business people are encouraged to acquire fortune by honorable means, or Guan Yu will not show any mercy with his dragon crescent moon sword.
财神 (Cáishén): n the God of Wealth
“财 (cái)” comes from the word “财富 (cáifù)” and means wealth. “神 (shén)” comes from the word “神仙 (shénxiān)” and means god or supernatural being of Taoism.
Zhào Gōngmíng shì Zhōngguó mínjiān chuánshuō de Cáishén.
赵公明是中国民间传说的财神。
Zhao Gongming is the God of Wealth in Chinese folk tales.
迎接 (yíngjiē): v to greet
“迎 (yíng)” literally means to welcome and “接 (jiē)” means to receive.
“Qǐngjìn, qǐngzuò.” Tā rèqíng de yíngjiē zhe kèrén.
“请进，请坐。” 他热情地迎接着客人。
“Come in and take a seat, please.” He greeted the guests warmly.
诚信 (chéngxìn): n honesty
“诚 (chéng)” comes from the word “诚实 (chéngshí)” and means honesty. “信 (xìn)” comes from “信用 (xìnyòng)” and means credibility.
Chéngxìn shì zuòrén de gēnběn, lìyè de jīchǔ.
诚信是做人的根本，立业的基础。
Honesty is the foundation to behave oneself and start one’s career.
生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary
正月 (zhēngyuè): n lunar January
忠诚 (zhōngchéng): n/adj loyalty/loyal
正义 (zhèngyì): n/adj righteousness/righteous
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General Chinese (Beginner Level)
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