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钞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
钞chāomoneyng, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #12319, Hard
钞chāopaper moneyng, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #12319, Hard
钞chāobank note, paper money; to counterfeitng, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #12319, Hard
chāo(chao1) T1
  1. 1money
  2. 2paper money
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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#12319DifficultyHard
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

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 钞

钞Simplified
鈔Traditional
9Strokes
钅Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#12319Frequency Rank

Podcast: 钞

JasonAmy

Podcast: 钞

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 钞

Quick Contrast

纸币 (zhǐbì) - use 钞 (chāo) when specifically referring to banknotes rather than any paper currency.

Memory Mnemonic

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.

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).

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.

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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Etymology of 钞

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 少 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鈔.

Memory Hint

money

Semantic (meaning)钅
+
Phonetic (sound)少
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 钞?

Decomposition of 钞

IDS Structure⿰钅少
钞Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
少shao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 钞?

Write 钞

钞

Practice writing 钞 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

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

Complete the Sentence

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.

Example Sentences for 钞 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
所有钞票的序列号都是一样的。这些钱是伪钞。

suǒ yǒu chāo piào de xù liè hào dū shì yī yàng de。 。 zhè xiē qián shì wěi。

All the bills had the same serial number. The cash was counterfeit.
2
他掏出鼓鼓的钱包，抽出几张钞票。

tā tāo chū gǔ gǔ de qián bāo， ， chōu chū jī zhāng chāo。

He took out his fat wallet and peeled off some notes.
3
我的表慢了5钞钟.

wǒ de biǎo màn le5 5 chāo.

My watch is five seconds slow.
4
他们兑换旅行支票时依据的汇率跟兑换现钞时不同。

tā mén duì huàn lǚ háng zhī piào shí yī jù de huì shuài gēn duì huàn xiàn chāo shí bù tóng。

They exchange traveller's cheques at a different rate from notes.
5
许多20元面值的钞票

xǔ duō20 20 yuán miàn zhí de chāo

scads of $20 bills
6
她接受的是两张软软的, 漂亮的10元绿色钞票.

tā jiē shòu de shì liǎng zhāng ruǎn ruǎn de, , piāo liàng10 de 10 yuán lǜ sè.

The money she had accepted was two soft , green, handsome ten - dollar bills.
7
在他的西装背心口袋里有些零碎票子 -- 绿颜色的美钞.

zài tā de xī zhuāng bèi xīn kǒu dài lǐ yǒu xiē líng suì piào zǐ-- -- lǜ yán sè de měi.

There were some loose bills in his vest pocket -- greenbacks.
8
一张5美元的钞票破成5张一美元的钞票.

yī zhāng5 5 měi yuán de chāo piào pò5 chéng 5 zhāng yī měi yuán de.

A five - dollar bill changes into five one - dollar bills.
9
他举着一张被撕成两半后又用胶粘在一起的一英镑的钞票。

tā jǔ zháo yī zhāng bèi sī chéng liǎng bàn hòu yòu yòng jiāo nián zài yī qǐ de yī yīng bàng de chāo piào。

He was holding up a pound note that had been torn in half and stuck together with gum.
10
他一边向与会者解释,一边把钞票举到耶利米亚眼前,让他鉴定.

tā yī biān xiàng yǔ huì zhě jiě shì, , yī biān bǎ chāo piào jǔ dào yé lì mǐ yà yǎn, qián , ràng tā.

He explained to the Council , at the same time extending the note for leremia to examine.

Cultural Notes for 钞

🏮Cultural insight

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.

Word Family of 钞

Words Containing This Character11
钞票chāopiàopaper money鈔票
钞chāomoney鈔
假钞forged note假鈔
运钞车armored car (for transporting valuables)運鈔車
伪钞counterfeit currency偽鈔
美钞greenback美鈔
验钞机a device used to check money and detect counterfeit bills驗鈔機
纸钞banknote紙鈔
钱钞money錢鈔
冥钞false paper money burned as an offering to the dead冥鈔
破钞to spend money破鈔
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 钞票 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 钞

钞 specifically refers to bank notes, while 纸币 (zhǐbì) means paper currency in a broader sense, including all forms of paper money.