换钱
huànqián
The English phrase money change is expressed in Chinese as 换钱 (huànqián).
The phrase 换钱 is used both for exchanging one currency for another (e.g., USD to CNY) and for getting smaller denominations of the same currency (e.g., breaking a large bill).
What does it mean word for word?
换钱 is composed of the verb 换 (huàn), meaning 'to exchange' or 'to change' and the noun 钱 (qián), meaning 'money'.
Which one should you use?
While 换钱 is the common way to say it, there are more specialized formal terms. 货币兑换 (huòbì duìhuàn) is a formal way to say money change or currency exchange, 兑换现金 (duìhuàn xiànjīn) is a formal way to say exchange cash and 钱币兑换 (qiánbì duìhuàn) emphasizes the exchange of coins and banknotes.
How do you pronounce it?
huànqián
Did you know?
- While 换钱 covers currency exchange, the phrase 找钱 (zhǎoqián) is used specifically for receiving change back from a cashier after a purchase.
- The word 钱 (qián) originally referred to a specific type of round coin with a square hole in the middle, a design used for centuries across East Asia.
- The character 换 (huàn) is also used in the phrase 换心 (huàn xīn), meaning 'to change one's heart' or 'to change one's mind'.
Examples in context
- 我想进行货币兑换。(Wǒ xiǎng jìnxíng huòbì duìhuàn.)I would like to exchange money.
- 我需要兑换现金。(Wǒ xūyào duìhuàn xiànjīn.)I need to exchange cash.
- 我要进行钱币兑换。(Wǒ yào jìnxíng qiánbì duìhuàn.)I want to exchange coins and banknotes.
- 我需要换钱。(Wǒ xūyào huànqián.)I need to change money.
- 你知道哪里可以兑换钱币吗？(Nǐ zhīdào nǎlǐ kěyǐ duìhuàn qiánbì ma?)Do you know where I can change coins and banknotes?
- 我要兑换人民币 (Wǒ yào duìhuàn rénmínbì)I want to exchange RMB
- 我要换成美元 (Wǒ yào huàn chéng měiyuán)I want to change into US dollars
- 今天的汇率是多少? (Jīntiān de huìlǜ shì duōshǎo?)What is today's exchange rate?
- 最近的货币兑换处在哪里? (Zuìjìn de huòbì duìhuàn chù zài nǎlǐ?)Where is the nearest currency exchange booth?
- 我能数一下吗? (Wǒ néng shǔ yīxià ma?)Can I count it?
- 我想在这里换钱。Wǒ xiǎng zài zhèlǐ huànqián.I want to exchange money here.
- 请问哪里可以换钱？Qǐngwèn nǎlǐ kěyǐ huànqián?Excuse me, where can I exchange money?
- 换钱的手续费很高。Huànqián de shǒuxùfèi hěn gāo.The service fee for exchanging money is very high.
Example conversation
Wei and Jiayi are at a foreign airport.
- 佳怡 Jiayi伟，你知道哪里可以换钱吗？Wěi, nǐ zhīdào nǎlǐ kěyǐ huànqián ma?Wei, do you know where I can exchange money?
- 伟 Wei在那边的银行可以换钱。Zài nàbiān de yínháng kěyǐ huànqián.You can exchange money at the bank over there.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好，我们现在就去换钱吧。Hǎo, wǒmen xiànzài jiù qù huànqián ba.Okay, let's go exchange money right now.
- 伟 Wei没问题，我也需要换钱。Méi wèntí, wǒ yě xūyào huànqián.No problem, I also need to exchange money.
