吉祥
jí xiáng HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

红色在中国是吉祥的颜色。
Hóngsè zài Zhōngguó shì jíxiáng de yánsè.
Red is an auspicious color in China.
龙是吉祥的象征。
Lóng shì jíxiáng de xiàngzhēng.
The dragon is a symbol of good luck.
他说了一句吉祥的话。
Tā shuōle yījù jíxiáng de huà.
He said an auspicious word.
红色是吉祥的颜色。
Hóngsè shì jíxiáng de yánsè.
Red is an auspicious color.
新年很吉祥。
Xīnnián hěn jíxiáng.
The New Year is very auspicious.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 吉 (jí) means 'lucky' and appears in words like 吉利 (auspicious), while 祥 (xiáng) means 'propitious' or 'good omen.' Think of '吉祥' as 'double luck'—combining two characters related to fortune to emphasize strong auspiciousness.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is used in both formal and informal contexts, commonly in written and spoken Chinese. It frequently appears during festivals (e.g., Chinese New Year), weddings, business openings, and in blessings or well-wishes. It's often seen in idioms, decorations, and traditional art.

📖 Grammar Points

Used as an attributive adjective before nouns (e.g., 吉祥的数字). Can be part of fixed phrases like 吉祥如意. Often appears in parallel structures in idioms or blessings, such as 吉祥平安 (auspicious and safe).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 吉祥 is central to traditions involving luck, such as using red decorations, specific numbers (6, 8), or animals (dragons, phoenixes) to invoke prosperity. It reflects a desire for harmony and positive energy, deeply embedded in festivals, architecture, and daily life.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 幸运 (xìngyùn, 'fortunate/lucky'), but 吉祥 emphasizes cultural or symbolic auspiciousness (e.g., objects, events), while 幸运 is more general for random good luck (e.g., winning a prize). 吉利 (jílì) is closer but often refers to specific actions or words bringing luck, whereas 吉祥 is broader and more decorative.

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