zhuǎnràng: 转让 - To Transfer, Assign, Make Over

• Keywords: zhuanrang meaning, Chinese word for transfer, assign ownership in Chinese, lease transfer, business transfer, 转让 vs 卖 (mài), what does zhuanrang mean, Chinese legal terms, HSK 5 vocabulary.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 转让 (zhuǎnràng), a crucial Chinese verb for “to transfer” or “assign” ownership, rights, or a lease. This guide explains how to use zhuǎnràng in formal contexts like business sales, contract assignments, and property transfers. Learn the key differences between 转让 (zhuǎnràng) and similar words like 卖 (mài - to sell) to avoid common mistakes and understand its significance in modern Chinese commercial and legal culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhuǎn ràng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To transfer the ownership or rights of something to another person or entity.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 转让 (zhuǎnràng) as the official, often legally-binding, act of “handing over.” It’s more formal and specific than just “selling.” It implies the transfer of rights, responsibilities, and ownership, such as transferring a business, a lease agreement, or company shares. It carries a sense of formality and finality.

• 转 (zhuǎn): This character means “to turn,” “to shift,” or “to transfer.” It's composed of 车 (chē - car/vehicle) and a component that historically represented a hand. You can imagine a hand turning the wheel of a cart, signifying movement, change, and transfer from one state or place to another.
• 让 (ràng): This character means “to yield,” “to allow,” or “to give way.” It combines the “speech” radical 讠(yán) with a phonetic component. The core idea is to cede or give up something to someone else.

When combined, 转让 (zhuǎnràng) literally means to “transfer and yield.” This perfectly captures the essence of formally handing over your rights and ownership to someone else.

In China's fast-paced, contract-driven economy, 转让 (zhuǎnràng) is a cornerstone of commercial and legal activity. Its usage signifies a formal transaction governed by an agreement, distinguishing it from casual sales. You will see the characters “店铺转让” (diànpù zhuǎnràng - shop transfer) posted on storefronts all over China. This is a great cultural comparison point. In the West, a sign might say “For Sale” or “Business Opportunity.” The use of 转让 is more specific: it implies that an existing business or, more commonly, an existing lease agreement (often with fixtures and fittings included) is being transferred to a new operator. The new owner isn't just buying the property; they are taking over the established rights and position of the previous tenant. This reflects the practical reality of business in China, where securing a good location and lease is a valuable asset in itself. This term underscores the importance of formal agreements and the clear delineation of rights (权利, quánlì) and responsibilities (责任, zérèn) in Chinese society today.

转让 (zhuǎnràng) is primarily used in formal, official, or commercial contexts. It is neutral in connotation.

• Business and Commerce: This is the most common context. It's used for transferring ownership of a business, shares, or assets.
  • 店铺转让 (diànpù zhuǎnràng): Transfer of a shop/store (lease and assets).
  • 公司转让 (gōngsī zhuǎnràng): Transfer of a company.
  • 股权转让 (gǔquán zhuǎnràng): Equity/share transfer.
• Contracts and Legal Rights: It refers to the assignment of rights or obligations from one party to another.
  • 合同转让 (hétong zhuǎnràng): Contract assignment.
  • 债权转让 (zhàiquán zhuǎnràng): Transfer of creditor's rights (transferring a debt).
• Personal Assets: It's used for high-value items or rights, not everyday objects. You would transfer a lease or a membership, but not a book.
  • 租约转让 (zūyuē zhuǎnràng): Lease transfer.
  • 会员卡转让 (huìyuánkǎ zhuǎnràng): Membership card transfer.

• Example 1:
  • 由于老板要回国，这家咖啡店正在转让。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú lǎobǎn yào huíguó, zhè jiā kāfēi diàn zhèngzài zhuǎnràng.
  • English: Because the owner is returning to his home country, this coffee shop is up for transfer.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example you'd see on a sign or in an ad. It refers to the transfer of the entire business operation.
• Example 2:
  • 我签了三年的租房合同，但现在想把租约转让出去。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ qiānle sān nián de zūfáng hétong, dàn xiànzài xiǎng bǎ zūyuē zhuǎnràng chūqù.
  • English: I signed a three-year apartment lease, but now I want to transfer it.
  • Analysis: This highlights the transfer of a right/obligation (the lease) rather than a physical object.
• Example 3:
  • 他决定将公司5%的股权转让给他的合作伙伴。
  • Pinyin: Tā juédìng jiāng gōngsī bǎi fēn zhī wǔ de gǔquán zhuǎnràng gěi tā de hézuò huǒbàn.
  • English: He decided to transfer 5% of the company's shares to his business partner.
  • Analysis: A very common and formal usage in a business/legal context.
• Example 4:
  • 请问这个店的转让费是多少钱？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn zhège diàn de zhuǎnràng fèi shì duōshǎo qián?
  • English: Excuse me, what is the transfer fee for this shop?
  • Analysis: 转让费 (zhuǎnràng fèi) is a key related term, meaning the one-time payment to the previous owner for the lease, goodwill, equipment, etc.
• Example 5:
  • 根据我们的协议，这项专利技术是不可转让的。
  • Pinyin: Gēnjù wǒmen de xiéyì, zhè xiàng zhuānlì jìshù shì bùkě zhuǎnràng de.
  • English: According to our agreement, this patent is non-transferable.
  • Analysis: Shows the negative form and its use in a legal context to forbid transfer.
• Example 6:
  • 所有的手续都办好了，工厂下个月正式转让给新买家。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu de shǒuxù dōu bàn hǎole, gōngchǎng xià gè yuè zhèngshì zhuǎnràng gěi xīn mǎijiā.
  • English: All the procedures are complete; the factory will be formally transferred to the new buyer next month.
  • Analysis: Emphasizes that 转让 is the final act after all paperwork (手续, shǒuxù) is done.
• Example 7:
  • 这张健身房会员卡还有半年有效期，我想低价转让。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhāng jiànshēnfáng huìyuánkǎ hái yǒu bànnián yǒuxiàoqī, wǒ xiǎng dījià zhuǎnràng.
  • English: This gym membership card is still valid for half a year; I'd like to transfer it at a low price.
  • Analysis: A common real-life example seen in online marketplaces for transferring services or memberships.
• Example 8:
  • 产权转让合同必须有双方的签字才能生效。
  • Pinyin: Chǎnquán zhuǎnràng hétong bìxū yǒu shuāngfāng de qiānzì cáinéng shēngxiào.
  • English: The property rights transfer contract must be signed by both parties to be effective.
  • Analysis: Here, 转让 is used as part of a compound noun to describe the type of contract.
• Example 9:
  • 他把债权转让给了第三方公司。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ zhàiquán zhuǎnràng gěile dì-sān-fāng gōngsī.
  • English: He assigned the creditor's rights (the right to collect a debt) to a third-party company.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates a more abstract and highly formal legal usage.
• Example 10:
  • 如果你不再需要这个软件的许可证，你可以把它转让给其他人吗？
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bù zài xūyào zhège ruǎnjiàn de xǔkě zhèng, nǐ kěyǐ bǎ tā zhuǎnràng gěi qítā rén ma?
  • English: If you no longer need the license for this software, can you transfer it to someone else?
  • Analysis: Shows the transfer of an intangible asset like a license.

A common pitfall for learners is confusing 转让 (zhuǎnràng) with 卖 (mài).

• 转让 (zhuǎnràng) vs. 卖 (mài - to sell):
  • `卖 (mài)` is the general term for “to sell.” You can sell anything, from an apple to a car. The focus is on the exchange of goods for money.
  • `转让 (zhuǎnràng)` focuses on the transfer of rights and ownership. While money is often involved, the core meaning is the formal handover. You 卖 (mài) a cup of coffee, but you 转让 (zhuǎnràng) the coffee shop itself.
  • Incorrect: 我想转让我的旧手机。(Wǒ xiǎng zhuǎnràng wǒ de jiù shǒujī.) → This sounds overly formal and strange.
  • Correct: 我想卖我的旧手机。(Wǒ xiǎng mài wǒ de jiù shǒujī.) - I want to sell my old phone.
• 转让 (zhuǎnràng) vs. 过户 (guòhù - to transfer a title):
  • `转让` is the agreement or act of deciding to transfer ownership. `过户` is the administrative process of officially changing the name on the legal title (e.g., for a house or a car). The `转让` agreement leads to the `过户` procedure.
• 转让 (zhuǎnràng) vs. 送 (sòng - to give as a gift):
  • `送` is for gifting and implies no payment. `转让` is a formal transfer that can be either paid or unpaid, but it always has a sense of officialdom, like signing over a title.

• 卖 (mài) - To sell. The most common and general term for exchanging goods for money.
• 过户 (guòhù) - To transfer ownership title. Refers to the official registration process for property like houses and cars.
• 出让 (chūràng) - To sell or relinquish (often used for land rights from the government). More formal and specific than `转让`.
• 出租 (chūzū) - To rent out, to lease. The owner retains ownership.
• 所有权 (suǒyǒuquán) - Ownership rights. This is the “right” that is transferred during a `转让`.
• 合同 (hétong) - Contract. The legal document that typically governs a `转让`.
• 股权 (gǔquán) - Equity stake, shares. A common asset that is subject to `转让`.
• 手续 (shǒuxù) - Procedure, formalities. The necessary steps to complete a `转让`.
• 中介 (zhōngjiè) - Agent, intermediary. A person or company that often facilitates a `转让`.