换钱
huan qian
To change money in Chinese is 换钱 (huan qian).
The phrase 换钱 is used for the general act of exchanging one currency for another, such as at a bank or an airport.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 换, meaning 'to exchange' or 'to change' and the noun 钱, meaning 'money'.
Which one should you use?
While 换钱 is the general term for currency exchange, 换零钱 (Huàn língqián) is an informal way to say 'change money' specifically referring to exchanging larger denominations for smaller ones.
How do you pronounce it?
huan qian
Did you know?
- In China, the word 钱 (qian) originally referred to a specific type of circular coin with a square hole in the middle, which allowed strings of money to be tied together.
- The word 换 (huàn) is also used in the phrase 换位思考 (huàn wèi sī kǎo), which means to 'change positions to think', or to practice empathy.
- In many parts of China, people rarely use the phrase 换钱 at small shops, opting instead to ask for 找钱 (zhǎo qián), which literally means 'to find money' (the change from a transaction).
Examples in context
- 你能帮我找零吗？Can you give me change?
- 我想换钱。Wǒ xiǎng huàn qián.I want to change money.
- 请问哪里可以换钱？Qǐngwèn nǎlǐ kěyǐ huàn qián?Excuse me, where can I change money?
- 他在银行换钱。Tā zài yínháng huàn qián.He is changing money at the bank.
Example conversation
At an airport, Jia Yi asks Wei for help.
- 佳怡 Jiayi伟，请问哪里可以换钱？Wěi, qǐngwèn nǎlǐ kěyǐ huàn qián?Wei, excuse me, where can I change money?
- 伟 Wei你可以去那边的银行换钱。Nǐ kěyǐ qù nàbiān de yínháng huàn qián.You can go to the bank over there to change money.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那里现在还开门吗？Nàlǐ xiànzài hái kāimén ma?Is it still open there now?
- 伟 Wei是的，他们一直在营业。Shì de, tāmen yìzhí zài yíngyè.Yes, they are open.
