支付宝
Zhīfùbǎo
Alipay is the English name for the Chinese third-party digital payment platform 支付宝 (Zhīfùbǎo).
支付宝 refers to a third-party digital payment platform used in China.
What does it mean word for word?
The name is composed of 支付 (zhīfù), meaning 'to pay' and 宝 (bǎo), meaning 'treasure' or 'precious object'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, Alipay is often referred to as zi fuk bao.
How do you pronounce it?
Zhīfùbǎo
Did you know?
- The character 宝 (bǎo) in the name is the same character used to address a 'baby' or a 'darling', giving the platform an endearing quality.
- In China, 支付宝 is so ingrained in daily life that people often use it as a generic verb for any digital transfer, regardless of the specific tool used.
- The word 宝 is frequently used in the names of other Chinese digital platforms to evoke the feeling of a secure digital vault.
Examples in context
- 我用支付宝付钱。Wǒ yòng Zhīfùbǎo fù qián.I use Alipay to pay.
- 你可以用支付宝吗？Nǐ kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo ma?Can you use Alipay?
- 这个店支持支付宝。Zhège diàn zhīchí Zhīfùbǎo.This shop supports Alipay.
Example conversation
Two friends are shopping at a local boutique.
- 志强 Zhiqiang请问，这里可以用支付宝吗？Qǐngwèn, zhèlǐ kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo ma?Excuse me, can I use Alipay here?
- 雨婷 Yuting可以的，扫码就行。Kěyǐ de, sǎo mǎ jiù xíng.Yes, just scan the code.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你帮我扫一下吧。Yǔtíng, nǐ bāng wǒ sǎo yīxià ba.Yuting, please scan it for me.
- 雨婷 Yuting没问题，志强。Méi wèntí, Zhìqiáng.No problem, Zhiqiang.
