These three characters combine transparently: 取 (take) + 款 (money) + 机 (machine) = a machine for taking money.
The 取款机 holds a unique place in modern China's story. For a brief period, it was a symbol of modernization and banking convenience, just as it was in the West. However, its reign was surprisingly short. Unlike Western countries where credit/debit cards and ATMs have been dominant for decades, China largely leapfrogged this phase. After a period of being a cash-heavy society, China jumped almost directly to a mobile payment-based economy with the explosion of 支付宝 (Alipay) and 微信支付 (WeChat Pay). Today, the cultural significance of the 取款机 is one of functionality over ubiquity. While you can go days or weeks in major Chinese cities without touching cash, ATMs are still essential for:
So, while the 取款机 isn't the centerpiece of daily transactions like it might be in the U.S. or Europe, knowing the word remains a practical necessity for navigating the financial landscape in China.
取款机 (qǔkuǎnjī) is a standard, neutral term used in all contexts, from casual conversation to bank signage. You can also use the English acronym “ATM,” and many people in urban areas will understand you, but 取款机 is the authentic and universally understood term. The slightly more formal, full name is 自动取款机 (zìdòng qǔkuǎnjī), which means “automatic take-money-machine,” but this is mostly seen in writing or on the machines themselves. In speech, 取款机 is far more common. When using the machine, you'll look for the button or screen option for 取款 (qǔkuǎn), which is the verb “to withdraw money.”