祝

• Pinyin: zhù
• Hanzi breakdown: 祝 = 礻(spirit/altar radical) + 兄 (elder brother), depicting a person praying at an altar

Meaning

Wish; bless. To express good wishes or blessings to someone.

Used to express good wishes on special occasions and in everyday life. Commonly appears in greetings like 祝你生日快乐 (Happy birthday), 祝你好运 (Good luck), and 祝贺 (congratulations). Typically followed by the person being wished well and then the wish itself. Essential in Chinese social etiquette for holidays, celebrations, and well-wishing.

Examples

1. 祝你生日快乐！ Happy birthday to you!
2. 祝大家新年快乐，万事如意！ Wishing everyone a happy new year and all the best!
3. 我们祝老师身体健康。 We wish our teacher good health.

Usage Guide

Context: celebrations, greetings, everyday

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 祝你一路平安。(Wishing you a safe journey.)
• 祝你们幸福！(Wishing you happiness!)

Don't Say

• 祝你考试不及格。(Never use 祝 with negative wishes — it is exclusively for positive blessings; 祝 always implies good will)

Origin & History

Originally composed of 示 (altar/spirit) + 兄 (elder brother, here as a person praying). Depicted a person praying at an altar, hence 'to pray' and later 'to wish/bless.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal