Keywords: qian, 钱, Chinese money, what is qian, Chinese word for money, how to say money in Chinese, Chinese currency, yuan qian, RMB qian, Chinese culture and money, spending money in China.
Summary: Learn about 钱 (qián), the fundamental Chinese word for “money.” This guide covers its core meaning, cultural significance in China, and practical usage in a modern, often cashless society. From asking “how much is it?” to understanding the cultural importance of wealth and red envelopes (红包), this entry provides everything a beginner needs to know about 钱 (qián).
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): qián
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: HSK 1
Concise Definition:钱 (qián) is the general Chinese word for money, currency, or wealth.
In a Nutshell: Just like “money” in English, 钱 (qián) is the universal, all-purpose term you'll use in nearly every situation involving currency. Whether you're buying a coffee, discussing your salary, or talking about the economy, 钱 is the word you need. It's one of the first and most essential nouns you'll learn in Mandarin.
Character Breakdown
钱 (qián) is a single character composed of two parts:
钅 (jīn): This is the “metal” radical. It's a compressed form of the character 金 (jīn), which means gold or metal. Its presence immediately signals that the character's meaning is related to something valuable made of metal, like ancient coins.
戋 (jiān): This right-hand part primarily provides the phonetic sound for the character.
Together, the “metal” radical and the phonetic component create 钱, a character whose meaning is directly tied to the historical use of metal coins as currency.
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, money (钱) is often discussed more openly and pragmatically than in many Western cultures. It is closely linked to concepts of prosperity, success, and security.
Prosperity and Blessings: The most common greeting during Chinese New Year is “恭喜发财” (Gōngxǐ fācái), which means “Wishing you wealth and prosperity.” This highlights the positive cultural association between money and good fortune. The giving of money in red envelopes (红包 hóngbāo) during holidays and special occasions is a way to share blessings and good luck, not just a financial transaction.
Comparison to Western Culture: While in some Western cultures asking about someone's salary or the cost of a large purchase can be considered rude or invasive, in China it is often a more straightforward and practical topic of conversation. This isn't necessarily about being materialistic; it can be a way to understand a person's life situation, measure success, or simply exchange practical information. The focus is often on providing for one's family and achieving stability, which are deeply held values.
Practical Usage in Modern China
A Cashless Society: While the character 钱 is ancient, its application is hyper-modern. In today's China, 钱 most often refers to the digital balance in your WeChat Pay (微信支付) or Alipay (支付宝) account. Physical cash (现金 xiànjīn) is becoming increasingly rare in major cities. So when someone asks if you “have money” (有钱吗? Yǒu qián ma?), they're likely asking if you can make a mobile payment.
Asking for the Price: The most crucial phrase for any visitor or new learner is “多少钱? (Duōshǎo qián?)” - “How much money?” This is used for everything from street food to shopping malls.
Colloquial Units: In daily conversation, people rarely use the formal currency unit “元 (yuán)”. Instead, they use “块 (kuài)”. So, ¥10 is spoken as “十块钱 (shí kuài qián)”. See the “Nuances” section for a more detailed breakdown.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
这个东西多少钱？
Pinyin: Zhè ge dōngxi duōshǎo qián?
English: How much does this thing cost?
Analysis: This is the most essential shopping phrase. “多少 (duōshǎo)” means “how much,” and adding 钱 specifies that you're asking about the price.
Example 2:
对不起，我没带钱。
Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ méi dài qián.
English: Sorry, I didn't bring any money.
Analysis: In modern China, this is often followed up with “我可以用手机支付吗?” (Wǒ kěyǐ yòng shǒujī zhīfù ma? - Can I pay with my phone?). “没带钱 (méi dài qián)” usually means not having physical cash.
Example 3:
她很会花钱买衣服。
Pinyin: Tā hěn huì huā qián mǎi yīfu.
English: She really knows how to spend money on clothes.
Analysis: “花钱 (huā qián)” is the verb phrase “to spend money.” “很会 (hěn huì)” here implies she is good at it, perhaps with a slightly admiring or critical tone depending on context.
English: In order to buy a house, they save money every month.
Analysis: “省钱 (shěng qián)” means “to save money” in the sense of being frugal or economizing.
Example 6:
这件T恤三十块钱。
Pinyin: Zhè jiàn T-xù sānshí kuài qián.
English: This T-shirt is 30 kuai.
Analysis: A perfect example of colloquial pricing. Note the use of “块 (kuài)” as the measure word before 钱. You almost never say “三十元 (sānshí yuán)” in this context.
Example 7:
他看起来像个有钱人。
Pinyin: Tā kànqǐlái xiàng ge yǒu qián rén.
English: He looks like a rich person.
Analysis: “有钱 (yǒu qián)” literally means “to have money,” and is the standard way to say someone is “rich” or “wealthy.”
English: Don't spend money recklessly; you should develop good financial habits.
Analysis: “乱花钱 (luàn huā qián)” specifically means to spend money carelessly or wastefully.
Example 10:
在我们公司，时间就是金钱。
Pinyin: Zài wǒmen gōngsī, shíjiān jiùshì jīnqián.
English: In our company, time is money.
Analysis: This shows how 钱 is part of larger, abstract concepts. “金钱 (jīnqián)” is a more formal term for money, often used in written or business contexts, literally “gold money.”
Nuances and Common Mistakes
钱 (qián) vs. 元 (yuán) vs. 块 (kuài): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
钱 (qián): The general concept of “money.” You use it when you're not specifying an amount. (e.g., 我没钱 - I have no money).
元 (yuán): The official, formal unit of currency (like “dollar”). Used on price tags, in banks, and on banknotes. You would rarely say this out loud in a store.
块 (kuài): The colloquial unit of currency (like “buck”). This is what you say and hear 99% of the time.
INCORRECT: 这个五钱。 (Zhège wǔ qián.)
CORRECT: 这个五块钱。 (Zhège wǔ kuài qián.) or simply 五块 (wǔ kuài). You must use the measure word 块 (kuài) when stating a price.
“Money” vs. “Cash”: While 钱 means money, it does not specifically mean physical cash. The word for cash is 现金 (xiànjīn). In modern China, having 钱 in your WeChat wallet is common, while having 现金 is not. Don't assume 钱 refers to paper bills or coins.
Related Terms and Concepts
人民币 (rénmínbì) - The official name of the Chinese currency, meaning “The People's Currency” (RMB).