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I sent new year greetings to my Chinese teacher last week, writing "新年快乐! 恭喜发财!". When I saw her today she thanked me, but said I should never write 恭喜发财 to a teacher, because it's a greeting only people obsessed with money would use.

Is 恭喜发财 generally understood this way? Who could I / should I write or say 恭喜发财 to? Also, if it was indeed inappropriate, how bad was it? Did it just sound awkward, or was it worse?

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up vote 4 down vote accepted

恭喜发财 may not be the best greeting word from student to teacher, but it's not awkward - the intention is always good.

For example, parents usually wish children with good health, striving and studying. If a parent greets children with wealth, you may find them funny, fashionable or friend-like, but definitely not mammonish or evil.

In old Chinese traditions, there were strict rules about etiquette and word usage. A small misuse can be considered a big issue. But that time has long gone.

It might sound a little sarcastic if you say 恭喜发财 to someone who is obviously in an opposite situation, otherwise it should be fine to say it to anyone.

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It's interesting actually. Whenever someone says that to me, I always feel that person's being sarcastic. I am not rich, so there is nothing to be congratulated for. :P. – deutschZuid Feb 15 '13 at 21:52
Thanks a lot for this detailed reply! – Clément Feb 15 '13 at 22:11

恭喜发财 is a customary New Year's greeting... I would think it's generally understood to be said during these times. She may just have an issue because you wrote it to her... Usually this is a spoken term, followed by "红包拿来" ("Red Envelope, please!")... but it's usually just kids that get the red envelops...

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Thanks! I didn't know 红包拿来 :) – Clément Feb 15 '13 at 22:11
I think the translation is more like "give me a red envelope or else!" :). – deutschZuid Feb 16 '13 at 2:13
@JamesJiao 红包拿来 sounds more demanding to me, more like "now where's my red envelope!" :) – NS.X. Feb 16 '13 at 8:42
@NS.X. I think most kids are spoilt like that nowadays. – deutschZuid Feb 16 '13 at 9:37
@JamesJiao Just in case you don't know yet, the fashionable word to call them is 熊孩子. – NS.X. Feb 16 '13 at 21:33

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