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March 24, 2026
钱(錢)qián(Qian2)
The character 钱 (qián) commonly means 'money' or 'coin'. It is frequently used in everyday conversations about finances, transactions, and prices. Additionally, it can refer to the surname Qian, which is a common family name in China.
Strokes10Radical钅Frequency#148DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, money plays a significant role during festivals like the Lunar New Year, where giving 'red envelopes' filled with cash symbolizes good luck and prosperity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a treasure chest (the character 钱) filled with coins, representing wealth and money. The left side resembles a 'bowl' (口) holding coins, while the right side (金) represents metal, emphasizing that most money is made from metal.
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AI Study Notes for 钱
Quick Contrast
人民币 (rénmínbì) vs 钱 (qián): use 人民币 when specifically referring to the Chinese currency, while 钱 is a more general term for money or coins.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a treasure chest (the character 钱) filled with coins, representing wealth and money. The left side resembles a 'bowl' (口) holding coins, while the right side (金) represents metal, emphasizing that most money is made from metal.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tones when using 钱 (qián); it’s often confused with 乾 (gān), which means 'dry' or 'to do'. When discussing money, common collocations include '花钱' (spend money) and '赚钱' (make money).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 钱 connects well with other basic vocabulary related to shopping and transactions, such as '买' (to buy) and '卖' (to sell). Focus on practicing its use in sentences, especially in contexts involving prices.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, money plays a significant role during festivals like the Lunar New Year, where giving 'red envelopes' filled with cash symbolizes good luck and prosperity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 钱 (qián) with other characters that have similar sounds but different meanings, such as 亲 (qīn, meaning 'to kiss' or 'close'). For example, saying '我有亲' (wǒ yǒu qīn) instead of '我有钱' (wǒ yǒu qián) means 'I have kisses' instead of 'I have money'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 钱
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Grammar Patterns of 钱
钱 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 8 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.
It's the wages that count. Not over-generous, but there you are.
9
我花大笔钱购置了上班时穿的漂亮新套装。
wǒ huā dà bǐ qián gòu zhì le shàng bān shí chuān de piāo liàng xīn tào zhuāng。
I spent lots of money on smart new outfits for work.
10
斯坦把装了钱的纸袋卷了起来。
sī tǎn bǎ zhuāng le qián de zhǐ dài juàn le qǐ lái。
Stein rolled up the paper bag with the money inside.
Cultural Notes for 钱
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, money plays a significant role during festivals like the Lunar New Year, where giving 'red envelopes' filled with cash symbolizes good luck and prosperity.
Word Family of 钱
Compounds1
篯
Words Containing This Character20
钱qiáncoin錢
赚钱zhuànqiánto earn money賺錢
金钱jīnqiánmoney金錢
钱包qiánbāopurse錢包
有钱well-off有錢
花钱to spend money花錢
价钱jiàqiánprice價錢
挣钱zhèngqiánto make money掙錢
值钱zhíqiánvaluable值錢
钱财qiáncáiwealth錢財
零钱língqiánsmall change零錢
省钱shěngqiánto save money省錢
借钱to borrow money借錢
有钱人the rich有錢人
出钱to pay出錢
洗钱money laundering洗錢
工钱salary工錢
本钱běnqiáncapital本錢
压岁钱yāsuìqiánmoney given to children as new year present壓歲錢
用钱commission用錢
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 钱 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 钱
钱 refers specifically to money or coins, while 货 refers to goods or commodities.
Yes, 钱 is suitable for both formal and informal situations when discussing money.
It's pronounced as 'qián' with a rising tone, similar to the English word 'cheer' but starting with 'q'.
