招财进宝

Pronunciation: zhāo cái jìn bǎo Literal meaning: Beckon wealth, bring in treasure

Origin & Usage

招 means 'to beckon' and 进 'to bring in', so the phrase invites wealth and treasure into the house. An early recorded use is in the Yuan-dynasty zaju play 《降桑椹蔡顺奉母》 by Liu Tangqing, where the earth god introduces himself with the line 'beckoning wealth and bringing in treasure, I bring fine omens; the whole household is free of worry and kept safe' (招财进宝臻佳瑞，阖家无虑保安存). The phrase is best known in written form. The four characters are often merged into one composite character, with shared components and the 辶 stroke of 进 sweeping under the rest, and this is written on square red paper and pasted on doors, counters or cabinets at New Year. It is a greeting for businesses and shopkeepers above all, and a natural partner to 恭喜发财.

Examples

English: "Wishing your business a year that keeps the money coming in."

Chinese: 老板在店门口贴上“招财进宝”，盼着新的一年生意红火。