qián
standard
In pinyin "money" in Chinese is qián, written 钱 (qián). It is a short word with a rising tone, used in everyday speech. It is also called jīnqián and chāopiào.
Meaning: money (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Note |
|---|---|
| qián | standard |
| jīnqián | formal |
| chāopiào | banknotes, colloquial |
You hear qián in prices and shopping, as in duōshao qián, "how much money". It is also the word used for saving, spending and earning.
Which one should you use?
Jīnqián, written 金钱 (jīnqián), is more formal and abstract, like "wealth". Chāopiào means banknotes in a casual style.
When do people say it?
In speech people often say kuài for the unit yuan, as in shí kuài, ten yuan. In writing the unit is yuán.
Did you know?
- The Chinese currency is called rénmínbì, which means "the people's money".
Examples in context
- Zhè ge duōshao qián?How much is this?
- Wǒ méiyǒu qián.I have no money.
- Tā zhuàn le hěn duō qián.He earned a lot of money.
Example conversation
Tian buys fruit from a vendor named Mr. Wu at a market.
- TianLǎobǎn, píngguǒ duōshao qián?Boss, how much are the apples?
- Mr. WuShí kuài yì jīn.Ten yuan per half kilo.
- TianHǎo, wǒ mǎi liǎng jīn.OK, I will buy one kilo.
