How to Say ‘To ask for; to seek’ in Traditional Chinese
討
💬 Usage Tip: [討] can mean “ask for” or “seek.” In New Year context it’s about “seeking a good omen,” not begging.
🇹🇼 In Taiwan: You’ll hear it in set phrases like [討個吉利]—it frames the request as tradition and good vibes.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
討
[tǎo]
to ask for; to seek; to try to get (often for a positive result)
In New Year contexts, it often appears in “討個吉利,” meaning to say/do something to “get some good luck” (for an auspicious vibe).
過年說好話是為了討個吉利。
Saying nice things during Lunar New Year is to seek some good luck (for auspiciousness).
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