吉利

• Pinyin: jí lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 吉 = 士 (scholar) + 口 (mouth), auspicious; 利 = 禾 (grain) + 刂 (knife), profit/benefit

Meaning

Auspicious; lucky; bringing good fortune.

A colloquial term for good luck or good omens. Often used in the context of choosing auspicious dates, numbers, or words. Also the name of a major Chinese automobile manufacturer (Geely). More informal than 吉祥.

Examples

1. 中国人结婚通常会挑个吉利的日子，比如带八的日期。 Chinese people usually pick an auspicious date for weddings, like dates with the number eight.
2. 过年的时候大家都爱说些吉利话，图个好彩头。 During Chinese New Year, everyone likes to say auspicious words to bring good luck.
3. 他买彩票的时候总喜欢选看起来吉利的号码。 When he buys lottery tickets, he always likes to choose numbers that look lucky.

Usage Guide

Context: celebrations, everyday, superstition

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 八八八，真吉利！(888, so lucky!)
• 说点吉利话吧。(Say something auspicious.)

Don't Say

• 在学术或正式场合使用吉利 (Too colloquial for formal contexts — use 吉祥 or 有利 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 吉 (auspicious/lucky) + 利 (benefit/profit). Together meaning 'auspicious and beneficial.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal