What gifts should I avoid giving to Chinese people?
Published: April 29, 2026
Short Answer
Chinese gift-giving has a lot of hidden taboos based on wordplay and superstition. The big ones: never give clocks (送钟 sounds like 送终, "attending a funeral"), umbrellas (伞 sounds like 散, "to separate"), or green hats (绿帽子 means your partner is cheating). These aren't old wives' tales — people genuinely get uncomfortable receiving these.
When in doubt, go with fruit, tea, good wine, or anything red. You literally cannot go wrong with those.
Red envelope and gifts on a red background
Deep Dive
The Chinese language is full of homophones (words that sound the same but mean different things), and this creates a whole minefield of gift taboos. Here's what to avoid and why.
Clocks (钟 — 送钟)
Giving someone a clock is probably the #1 taboo. The phrase "giving a clock" (送钟, sòng zhōng) sounds almost identical to "sending someone off to their end" (送终, sòng zhōng). It's basically like saying "here, die." This applies to watches too if the context feels formal. If a Chinese friend gives you a watch, don't read into it — the taboo is mainly about the giver-to-recipient direction.
Umbrellas (伞 — 散)
The word for umbrella (伞, sǎn) sounds like "to scatter" or "to separate" (散, sàn). Giving an umbrella to a friend or partner can feel like you're saying the relationship is over. Same goes for giving them to couples or close friends.
Shoes (鞋 — 邪)
Shoes (鞋, xié) sound like "evil" (邪, xié). Some people also say that giving shoes means the person will "walk away" from you. This is especially true for romantic partners. If someone gives you shoes, some Chinese people will jokingly offer a small coin in return to "buy" them instead of accepting them as a gift.
Green Hats (绿帽子)
This is a big one. Wearing a green hat (绿帽子, lǜ màozi) in Chinese culture means your spouse or partner is cheating on you. This is deeply embedded in the culture — nobody will explain why because everyone just knows. Never give anyone anything green that goes on their head.
Pears (梨 — 离)
Sharing pears (分梨, fēn lí) sounds like "to separate" (分离, fēnlí). This is why you'll rarely see Chinese people split a pear. If you bring fruit as a gift, go with apples (苹果, píngguǒ — sounds like "peace") or oranges (橙, chéng — sounds like "success").
Sharp Objects (刀/剪刀)
Giving knives or scissors symbolizes "cutting" the relationship. This includes fancy kitchen knives as housewarming gifts. If you really want to give something sharp, have the recipient give you a small coin in return — this turns the gift into a "purchase" and removes the bad luck.
White Flowers
White is the color of mourning in China. White flowers (especially chrysanthemums and lilies) are used at funerals. For celebrations or gifts, go with red, pink, or yellow flowers instead.
Sets of Four (四 — 死)
The number four (四, sì) sounds like "death" (死, sǐ). Don't give four of anything — four apples, four chocolates, four of any item. Go with sets of 6, 8, or 9 instead. Eight (八) is especially lucky because it sounds like "prosperity" (发).
What to Give Instead
Safe bets that any Chinese person will appreciate:
- Fruit — apples (peace), oranges (good luck), tangerines (wealth)
- Tea — always well received, especially quality Chinese tea
- Wine or baijiu — great for business settings
- Red envelopes (红包) — cash in a red envelope is the most versatile gift, especially for holidays and weddings
- Red items — anything red is associated with luck and happiness
- Premium nuts or dried fruit boxes — popular during Chinese New Year
Chinese tea set as a safe gift option