Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== shǒufù: 首付 - Down Payment ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 首付, shoufu, down payment in Chinese, buying a house in China, Chinese mortgage, first payment, fù shǒufù, còu shǒufù, 首付比例, 六个钱包, real estate in China * **Summary:** Learn the crucial Chinese term for "down payment," **首付 (shǒufù)**, a word that unlocks conversations about one of the biggest life goals in modern China: buying property. This guide will break down what **首付** means, its immense cultural significance related to family and marriage, and how it's used in practical situations like getting a mortgage for a car or apartment. Understand why saving for the **首付** is a major topic for young people across China. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shǒufù * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** The initial, upfront payment made when purchasing a large asset, with the remaining balance typically financed through a loan. * **In a Nutshell:** **首付 (shǒufù)** literally translates to "first pay" and is the Chinese word for a "down payment." While it functions the same as in English (for a house, car, etc.), it carries a much heavier cultural weight in China. It's not just a financial transaction; it's a massive milestone, often a prerequisite for marriage, and a financial challenge that frequently involves the entire family's savings. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **首 (shǒu):** The original meaning of this character is "head." By extension, it has come to mean "first," "chief," or "leader." Think of the "head" of a line being the "first" one. * **付 (fù):** This character means "to pay" or "to hand over." It's a core component of many financial terms, like 支付 (zhīfù - to pay). * Together, **首付 (shǒufù)** logically combines these ideas to mean the "first payment" you make for a large purchase. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== The concept of **首付 (shǒufù)** is deeply woven into the fabric of modern Chinese society and aspirations. While a down payment is a significant financial step in any country, in China it holds unique and immense importance. * **Connection to Marriage:** There is a widespread, powerful social expectation that a man should own a property before he can get married. A common phrase is `有房有车 (yǒu fáng yǒu chē)`, meaning "to have a house and a car," as a sign of stability and eligibility. Therefore, saving for the **首付** is not just a personal goal but often a societal prerequisite for starting a family. * **The "Six Pockets" (六个钱包 - liù ge qiánbāo):** Due to skyrocketing property prices in major cities, it's nearly impossible for a young person or couple to afford the **首付** on their own. This has given rise to the phenomenon known as the "Six Pockets." This refers to a young couple pooling money from their own two "pockets" plus those of both sets of parents (four more pockets), and sometimes even grandparents. This collective family effort is a stark contrast to the more individualistic approach to home-buying often seen in the West, where parental help might be a gift but is less of a widespread expectation or necessity. * **Symbol of Stability and Success:** Owning a home is the ultimate symbol of security and success in China. Paying the **首付** is the first, and arguably hardest, step toward achieving this goal. It represents a transition into adulthood and a commitment to putting down roots. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **首付 (shǒufù)** is a high-frequency word in discussions about personal finance, life goals, and the economy. * **Common Collocations:** * `付首付 (fù shǒufù)` - To pay the down payment. * `凑首付 (còu shǒufù)` - To scrape together the money for the down payment. The character `凑 (còu)` vividly implies pooling funds from various sources, perfectly capturing the "Six Pockets" reality. * `首付比例 (shǒufù bǐlì)` - The down payment ratio/percentage (e.g., 20%, 30%). This is often subject to government policy changes to cool or stimulate the property market. * **Connotation:** The word itself is neutral, but the context is often filled with emotion. It can be a source of immense stress and anxiety (`我们还在为首付发愁 - Wǒmen hái zài wèi shǒufù fāchóu` - "We are still worrying about the down payment.") or a moment of great joy and relief (`我们终于付了首付！ - Wǒmen zhōngyú fùle shǒufù!` - "We finally paid the down payment!"). ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 我们买房的**首付**还差一点儿。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen mǎifáng de **shǒufù** hái chà yīdiǎnr. * English: We are still a little short for the down payment on the house. * Analysis: A very common and natural way to express the struggle of saving up. `差一点儿 (chà yīdiǎnr)` means "to be short a little." * **Example 2:** * 这辆车的**首付**是多少？ * Pinyin: Zhè liàng chē de **shǒufù** shì duōshǎo? * English: How much is the down payment for this car? * Analysis: A straightforward question you would ask at a car dealership. * **Example 3:** * 为了凑够**首付**，他每天都努力工作，省吃俭用。 * Pinyin: Wèile còu gòu **shǒufù**, tā měitiān dōu nǔlì gōngzuò, shěng chī jiǎn yòng. * English: In order to scrape together enough for the down payment, he works hard every day and lives frugally. * Analysis: This sentence uses the key phrase `凑够 (còu gòu)` - "to scrape together enough." It also includes the idiom `省吃俭用 (shěng chī jiǎn yòng)`, which means "to be frugal / to save on food and expenses," perfectly illustrating the sacrifice involved. * **Example 4:** * 我父母帮我付了大部分的**首付**。 * Pinyin: Wǒ fùmǔ bāng wǒ fùle dàbùfèn de **shǒufù**. * English: My parents helped me pay for most of the down payment. * Analysis: This directly reflects the cultural reality of family members helping with the down payment. * **Example 5:** * 这里的**首付**比例是百分之三十。 * Pinyin: Zhèlǐ de **shǒufù** bǐlì shì bǎifēnzhī sānshí. * English: The down payment ratio here is 30 percent. * Analysis: This is a more technical sentence you might hear from a real estate agent or a bank. `比例 (bǐlì)` means "ratio," and `百分之三十 (bǎifēnzhī sānshí)` means "30 percent." * **Example 6:** * 付完**首付**以后，我们每个月还要还房贷。 * Pinyin: Fù wán **shǒufù** yǐhòu, wǒmen měi ge yuè hái yào huán fángdài. * English: After paying the down payment, we still have to pay the mortgage every month. * Analysis: This sentence connects **首付** to the next financial step, the mortgage (`房贷 - fángdài`). * **Example 7:** * 恭喜你！听说你已经存够**首付**了！ * Pinyin: Gōngxǐ nǐ! Tīngshuō nǐ yǐjīng cún gòu **shǒufù** le! * English: Congratulations! I heard you've already saved up enough for the down payment! * Analysis: Shows how paying the **首付** is a major event worthy of congratulations. `存够 (cún gòu)` means "to save enough." * **Example 8:** * 如果**首付**不够，银行是不会给你贷款的。 * Pinyin: Rúguǒ **shǒufù** bùgòu, yínháng shì bùhuì gěi nǐ dàikuǎn de. * English: If the down payment isn't enough, the bank won't give you a loan. * Analysis: Explains the basic financial logic: the down payment is a prerequisite for a loan (`贷款 - dàikuǎn`). * **Example 9:** * 政府调整了首次购房者的**首付**政策。 * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ tiáozhěngle shǒucì gòufángzhě de **shǒufù** zhèngcè. * English: The government has adjusted the down payment policy for first-time homebuyers. * Analysis: A sentence you might read in a news article about the economy or real estate market. * **Example 10:** * 想到**首付**的压力，我就睡不着觉。 * Pinyin: Xiǎngdào **shǒufù** de yālì, wǒ jiù shuì bùzháo jué. * English: I can't sleep whenever I think about the pressure of the down payment. * Analysis: This sentence captures the immense stress (`压力 - yālì`) associated with the **首付** in a very personal and relatable way. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **"Down Payment" (首付) vs. "Security Deposit" (押金):** A common mistake for learners is to use **首付** when they mean a security deposit. * **首付 (shǒufù)** is part of the total purchase price of an item you are buying (like a house or car). It is not refundable. * **押金 (yājīn)** is a refundable security deposit you pay when you rent something (like an apartment, a shared bike, or a power bank). You get it back if you return the item undamaged. * **Incorrect:** 我租公寓需要付三十万的**首付**。 (Wǒ zū gōngyù xūyào fù sānshí wàn de **shǒufù**.) * **Reason:** You don't pay a "down payment" to //rent// an apartment. * **Correct:** 我租公寓需要付一个月的**押金**。 (Wǒ zū gōngyù xūyào fù yī ge yuè de **yājīn**.) - I need to pay a one-month security deposit to rent the apartment. * **Cultural Weight vs. Literal Meaning:** While "down payment" is a perfect literal translation, a non-Chinese speaker might underestimate the social and familial pressure implied when a Chinese friend says they are "saving for a **首付**." It's not just a financial task; it's often the key to unlocking the next stage of life, and the burden is frequently shared across generations. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[房贷]] (fángdài) - Mortgage. The loan you take out after paying the **首付**. * [[买房]] (mǎifáng) - To buy a house/apartment. The primary context for discussing **首付**. * [[押金]] (yājīn) - Security Deposit. The term to use for renting, not to be confused with **首付**. * [[凑钱]] (còuqián) - To pool/scrape money together. A verb often used to describe the process of gathering funds for the **首付**. * [[贷款]] (dàikuǎn) - Loan. The general term for borrowed money, including mortgages. * [[房价]] (fángjià) - Housing prices. The high cost of housing is the reason the **首付** is such a major hurdle. * [[六个钱包]] (liù ge qiánbāo) - "Six Wallets." The important cultural concept of a young couple getting financial help for the **首付** from themselves, their parents, and their grandparents. * [[期房]] (qīfáng) - Off-plan property; a property purchased before it is built. You still need to pay a **首付** for this.