There is a similar tradition in Japan known as otoshidama, which means “New Year’s gift.” In the past, parents gave children sweet rice cakes each year. Gradually, this changed into giving money instead. Similar to the Chinese custom, money is placed in decorative envelopes, but they come in many colors rather than just red. In Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, Muslim communities have a tradition similar to the Chinese red envelope custom.
在日本有一項類似的傳統稱為「御年玉」，其意思為「新年的禮物」。過去，父母每年會給小孩甜米糕。漸漸地，這反而變成了送錢。相似於華人習俗，錢被放在裝飾性的信封中，但信封除了紅色之外也有許多顏色。在馬來西亞與印尼等東南亞國家，穆斯林族群有一項傳統類似華人的紅包習俗。
生活必備字詞：
custom n. 習俗
come in... 有……（顏色、大小等）
community n. 族群，團體，群體
◆免費線上聽外師朗讀 https://ivyforfree.pse.is/3jks97
本文節錄自《常春藤生活英語》雜誌，完整內容請見二月號。
爆料信箱：news@nextapple.com
★加入《壹蘋》Line，和我們做好友！
★下載《壹蘋新聞網》APP
★Facebook 按讚追蹤
點擊閱讀下一則新聞
