huánkuǎn: 还款 - Repayment, To Repay a Loan

• Keywords: 还款, huankuan, repay loan Chinese, payment Chinese, debt repayment, credit card payment Chinese, mortgage payment Chinese, huan kuan, 还款是什么意思, how to say repayment in Chinese, financial Chinese vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese financial term 还款 (huánkuǎn), which means “repayment” or “to repay a loan.” This page provides a comprehensive guide for beginners, covering its meaning, character breakdown, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China for everything from credit cards to mortgages. With over 10 example sentences and analysis of common mistakes, you'll master how to talk about paying back money in any formal or financial context.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): huán kuǎn
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To repay a sum of money; the act of repayment.
• In a Nutshell: 还款 (huánkuǎn) is the standard, formal term for making a payment on a debt. Think of it as the word you would see on a bank statement, a loan agreement, or a credit card bill. It combines “to return” (还) and “a sum of money” (款), making its meaning very direct: returning a sum of money that was borrowed.

• 还 (huán): This character means “to return,” “to give back,” or “to repay.” It's important to note its pronunciation here is huán. The same character is also pronounced hái, meaning “still” or “also,” but in the context of giving something back, it is always huán.
• 款 (kuǎn): This character means “a sum of money,” “a fund,” or “an amount.” It can also refer to a “style” or “type,” but in financial contexts, it almost always relates to money.

When you combine them, 还 (huán) + 款 (kuǎn) literally means “to return a sum of money,” which perfectly translates to the financial concept of repayment.

In Chinese culture, the concept of 还款 (huánkuǎn) is deeply tied to the value of 诚信 (chéngxìn), which means honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness. Fulfilling one's financial obligations is not just a legal matter but a fundamental measure of one's character and reliability. While repaying debts is important in every culture, the social implications in China can be more pronounced. Failing to make a repayment can lead to a significant loss of 面子 (miànzi), or “face,” which is one's social standing and reputation. It can damage not only the individual's reputation but also their 关系 (guānxi), or network of personal connections. In modern China, this traditional value is reinforced by the nationwide Social Credit System (社会信用体系 - shèhuì xìnyòng tǐxì). Timely 还款 on loans, credit cards, and mortgages is a critical factor in maintaining a good social credit score, which can affect one's ability to get future loans, travel, or even get certain jobs. Therefore, 还款 is seen as a core responsibility for a functioning member of society.

还款 (huánkuǎn) is a formal and standard term used primarily in financial and official contexts. You will encounter it constantly when dealing with banks, online payment platforms, and any form of credit.

• Formal/Written Contexts: This is the default term on bank apps, loan contracts, and financial websites.
  • 信用卡还款 (xìnyòngkǎ huánkuǎn) - Credit card repayment
  • 房贷还款 (fángdài huánkuǎn) - Mortgage repayment
  • 设置自动还款 (shèzhì zìdòng huánkuǎn) - Set up automatic repayment
• Formal Conversation: When discussing loans or payments with a bank teller or financial advisor, 还款 is the appropriate word to use.
• Informal Contexts: When talking about paying back a small loan to a friend or family member, using the more formal 还款 (huánkuǎn) might sound a bit stiff or distant. In these cases, the colloquial term 还钱 (huán qián), which literally means “return money,” is much more common and natural.

• Example 1:
  • 我每个月十号要还款。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měi ge yuè shí hào yào huánkuǎn.
  • English: I have to make my repayment on the 10th of every month.
  • Analysis: A very common sentence structure for talking about a recurring payment schedule.
• Example 2:
  • 你的信用卡还款日是哪天？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de xìnyòngkǎ huánkuǎn rì shì nǎ tiān?
  • English: What is your credit card repayment date?
  • Analysis: Here, 还款 is used as part of a compound noun, 还款日 (huánkuǎn rì), meaning “repayment date.”
• Example 3:
  • 这个月的账单，我选择一次性还款。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge yuè de zhàngdān, wǒ xuǎnzé yícìxìng huánkuǎn.
  • English: For this month's bill, I choose to repay it in one lump sum.
  • Analysis: This sentence introduces 一次性 (yícìxìng), meaning “one-time” or “lump sum,” a common option for repayment.
• Example 4:
  • 如果你不能按时还款，银行会收取利息和罚金。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bù néng ànshí huánkuǎn, yínháng huì shōuqǔ lìxī hé fájīn.
  • English: If you can't make the repayment on time, the bank will charge interest and a penalty fee.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative consequence of failing to 还款. 按时 (ànshí) means “on time.”
• Example 5:
  • 他的还款压力很大，因为他同时有房贷和车贷。
  • Pinyin: Tā de huánkuǎn yālì hěn dà, yīnwèi tā tóngshí yǒu fángdài hé chēdài.
  • English: His repayment pressure is immense because he has both a mortgage and a car loan at the same time.
  • Analysis: Here, 还款 is used as a noun, modified by 压力 (yālì), meaning “pressure.”
• Example 6:
  • 你可以通过手机银行App轻松完成还款。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ tōngguò shǒujī yínháng App qīngsōng wánchéng huánkuǎn.
  • English: You can easily complete the repayment through the mobile banking app.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects modern life in China, where financial transactions are often done via apps.
• Example 7:
  • 我们提供多种还款方式，包括分期付款。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen tígōng duōzhǒng huánkuǎn fāngshì, bāokuò fēnqī fùkuǎn.
  • English: We offer multiple repayment methods, including payment by installments.
  • Analysis: 还款方式 (huánkuǎn fāngshì) means “repayment method.” This is useful vocabulary for understanding loan terms.
• Example 8:
  • 他申请了延期还款。
  • Pinyin: Tā shēnqǐng le yánqī huánkuǎn.
  • English: He applied for a repayment extension.
  • Analysis: 延期 (yánqī) means “to postpone” or “to extend,” a key term for anyone facing financial difficulty.
• Example 9:
  • 提前还款可以节省不少利息。
  • Pinyin: Tíqián huánkuǎn kěyǐ jiéshěng bù shǎo lìxī.
  • English: Repaying the loan early can save a lot of interest.
  • Analysis: 提前 (tíqián) means “in advance” or “early.” This is a positive action related to 还款.
• Example 10:
  • 请确认您的还款金额是否正确。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng quèrèn nín de huánkuǎn jīné shìfǒu zhèngquè.
  • English: Please confirm if your repayment amount is correct.
  • Analysis: A formal and polite sentence you might hear from a bank employee or see in an official notification. 金额 (jīné) means “amount of money.”

• `还款 (huánkuǎn)` vs. `还钱 (huán qián)`: This is the most common point of confusion.
  • 还款 (huánkuǎn): Formal, standard. Use for institutional debts like bank loans, credit cards, mortgages. Using it with a friend for a small amount of money sounds overly formal and distant.
  • 还钱 (huán qián): Informal, colloquial. Use for personal debts between friends, family, or acquaintances. (e.g., “你什么时候还钱给我？” - “When are you going to pay me back?”)
  • Incorrect Usage: Saying to a friend, “我下周会向你还款五十块” (I will make a repayment of 50 kuai to you next week) is grammatically correct but sounds very strange. You should say, “我下周还你五十块钱。”
• Pronunciation of 还: `huán` vs. `hái`: Learners often mix up the two pronunciations of 还. Remember:
  • When it means “to return” or “to repay,” it is always `huán`.
  • When it means “still,” “also,” or “yet,” it is `hái`.
  • This distinction is critical. Compare these two sentences:
    • 我还没 (hái méi) 有钱。 (I still don't have money.)
    • 我还没 (hái méi) 还 (huán) 钱。 (I haven't yet repaid the money.) - A more natural way to say this is 我还没还款 (Wǒ hái méi huánkuǎn).

• 贷款 (dàikuǎn): Loan. This is the sum of money that you borrow and need to 还款.
• 债务 (zhàiwù): Debt; liability. A more general and formal term for the state of owing money.
• 利息 (lìxī): Interest. The cost of borrowing money, which is usually paid back along with the principal during 还款.
• 逾期 (yúqī): To be overdue. This describes the status of a payment that was not made by the 还款 deadline.
• 分期付款 (fēnqī fùkuǎn): To pay in installments. A common method of 还款.
• 还钱 (huán qián): To pay back money. The informal, colloquial equivalent of 还款.
• 信用卡 (xìnyòngkǎ): Credit card. A common financial tool that requires monthly 还款.
• 按时 (ànshí): On time; punctual. An adverb frequently used with 还款 (e.g., 按时还款 - to repay on time).
• 本金 (běnjīn): Principal. The original amount of a loan, not including interest.
• 欠款 (qiànkuǎn): Arrears; balance due. The specific amount of money that is owed.