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March 24, 2026
钞(鈔)chāo(chao1)
The character 钞 (chāo) primarily refers to paper money or bank notes. It is commonly used in financial contexts, particularly when discussing currency and transactions. In addition to its monetary meaning, it can also imply the act of counterfeiting.
Strokes9Radical钅Frequency#12319DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, cash is often preferred for transactions, especially in markets and smaller shops, where paper money (钞) plays a significant role in daily commerce. The importance of cash can be seen in traditional practices during festivals, where cash gifts are common.
Memory Tip
Visualize a 'chao' (钞) bill with a large, bold numeral on it, representing money. The radical 钅 (metal) hints at the value of money being precious, while the rest of the character can remind you of 'chao' as in 'cash' flowing like water.
Meanings of 钞
chāo(chao1)
1money
2paper money
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 钞 means.
About 钞
钞Simplified
鈔Traditional
9Strokes
钅Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#12319Frequency Rank
Podcast: 钞
Podcast: 钞
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AI Study Notes for 钞
Quick Contrast
纸币 (zhǐbì) - use 钞 (chāo) when specifically referring to banknotes rather than any paper currency.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 钞 (chāo) with similar-sounding words. It's used in both formal and informal contexts but is predominantly found in written language related to finance. Common collocations include 钞票 (banknote) and 纸钞 (paper money).
HSK Study Tips
Although 钞 is not in the official HSK levels, it's beneficial for learners at HSK 4 and above, particularly those interested in finance or economics. Focus on its usage in context with related terms like 钱 (money) and 票 (ticket, note).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 钞 (chāo) with 抄 (chāo), which means to copy. For example, saying '我需要一张抄票' (I need a copy note) instead of '我需要一张钞票' (I need a banknote) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 钞
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How Well Do You Know 钞?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 钞 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
钞 = 钅 + 少. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 钞
IDS Structure⿰钅少
钞Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
少shao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 钞?
How to say money in Chinese
“money” in Chinese is钞chāo
The character 钞 (chāo) primarily refers to paper money or bank notes. It is commonly used in financial contexts, particularly when discussing currency and transactions. In addition to its monetary meaning, it can also imply the act of counterfeiting.
When to use 钞
Be careful not to confuse 钞 (chāo) with similar-sounding words. It's used in both formal and informal contexts but is predominantly found in written language related to finance. Common collocations include 钞票 (banknote) and 纸钞 (paper money).
钞 or something close to it
纸币 (zhǐbì) - use 钞 (chāo) when specifically referring to banknotes rather than any paper currency.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 钞 (chāo) with 抄 (chāo), which means to copy. For example, saying '我需要一张抄票' (I need a copy note) instead of '我需要一张钞票' (I need a banknote) is incorrect.
Write 钞
钞
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Practice writing 钞 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 钞
钞 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
所有____票的序列号都是一样的。这些钱是伪钞。
All the bills had the same serial number. The cash was counterfeit.
