美元
měiyuán
The English phrase USD is translated into Chinese as 美元 (měiyuán).
美元 is used to refer to the United States dollar, the official currency of the United States. It is common in Chinese to include the currency symbol $ before mentioning USD.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 美元 is composed of 美 (měi), meaning 'beautiful' (the first character of 'America' 美国) and 元 (yuán), meaning 'unit of currency'.
Which one should you use?
While 美元 is the standard term, 美金 is a common colloquial way to refer to US dollars. Additionally, 美刀 is an informal expression for USD. In some older or specific contexts, the character 圆 is used instead of 元, though 元 is the modern standard.
How do you pronounce it?
měiyuán
Did you know?
- In spoken Chinese, the term 块 (kuài) is used far more often than 元 (yuán) when discussing money, as it literally means 'piece' or 'lump'.
- The traditional character 圓 (yuán) used for money reflects the historical shape of coins, as it literally means 'round'.
- The character 元 (yuán) originally meant 'first' or 'primary' before it became the standard unit of currency in China.
Examples in context
- 今天美元的汇率是多少？What is today's exchange rate for US dollars?
- 这本书多少美金？How much is this book in US dollars?
- 我只有两百美刀。I only have two hundred US dollars.
- 我想换100美元。I would like to exchange 100 US dollars.
- 现在的美元汇率是多少？Xiànzài de měiyuán huìlǜ shì duōshǎo?What is the current USD exchange rate?
- 我手里只有五十美元。Wǒ shǒulǐ zhǐyǒu wǔshí měiyuán.I only have fifty USD on me.
Example conversation
At a souvenir shop in an international airport.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这个纪念品多少美元？Zhège jìniànpǐn duōshǎo měiyuán?How many USD is this souvenir?
- 雨婷 Yuting只要二十美元。Zhǐyào èrshí měiyuán.It is only twenty USD.
- 志强 Zhiqiang可以刷卡吗？Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?Can I pay by card?
- 雨婷 Yuting可以的，没问题。Kěyǐ de, méi wèntí.Yes, no problem.
