税
shuì
In Chinese, the word for tax is 税 (shuì).
The term 税 is a common and general noun used to refer to a tax. Related terms include 税率 for the tax rate, 免税 for tax-free or duty-free status and 地税 which specifically refers to local taxes.
Meaning: money paid to the government (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 税 is the basic noun for a specific tax, 税收 is used in formal or economic contexts to refer to tax revenue or the general concept of taxation. If you wish to speak about the administrative side of taxation, you should use 税务.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
shuì
Did you know?
- The character 税 contains the radical 禾, which represents grain. This reflects an ancient history where taxes were often paid directly in agricultural produce rather than currency.
- Historically, the 'Salt and Iron Tax' was so influential in China that it sparked a famous literary debate known as the 'Discourse on Salt and Iron' during the Han dynasty.
- The term for tax evasion is 偷税 (tōushuì). This uses the word 偷, which means 'to steal', framing tax evasion not just as a legal violation but as an act of theft.
Examples in context
- 他想要减少进口品的税。He wanted to reduce the tax on imports.This sentence shows how to express the desire to reduce the tax on imports using 税.Tatoeba #8690265 by crescat, translation #803266 by Source_VOA
- 迪拜是一个低税收的经济体。Dubai is a low-tax economy.This sentence uses 税 to describe an economy with low tax levels.Tatoeba #8581011 by slo_oth, translation #8580382 by Amastan
- 艾伦很幸运地考过了税务师考试。Allan was lucky and passed the tax accountant examination.This sentence demonstrates the use of 税 within the context of a tax accountant examination.Tatoeba #8936350 by crescat, translation #26623 by Scott
- 我需要缴纳所得税。I need to pay income tax.
- 我要向税务局报税。I need to file my taxes with the tax bureau.
- 我要交税金吗？Do I have to pay tax?
- 政府依靠税收来提供公共服务。The government relies on tax revenue to provide public services.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about the rising cost of living.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen现在的税越来越高了。Xiànzài de shuì yuè lái yuè gāo le.The tax is getting higher and higher now.
- 浩然 Haoran是的，生活压力很大。Shì de, shēnghuó yālì hěn dà.Yes, the pressure of living is very great.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然，你觉得该怎么办？Hàorán, nǐ juéde gāi zěnme bàn?Haoran, what do you think we should do?
- 浩然 Haoran我们只能努力工作了。Wǒmen zhǐnéng nǔlì gōngzuò le.We can only work hard.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 税, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
