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美元 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
美元měiyuánAmerican dollarHSK 3, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #684, Medium
美元měiyuánUS dollarHSK 3, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #684, Medium
měiyuán(Mei3yuan2)mei yuan T3
  1. 1American dollar
  2. 2US dollar
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March 24, 2026

美元měiyuán(Mei3yuan2)

美元 (Mei3 yuan2) refers specifically to the United States dollar, which is the official currency of the United States. It is commonly used in international trade and finance, often symbolized by the '$' sign. The term can also represent the broader concept of currency exchange and economic transactions involving the US dollar.

Strokes13Frequency#684DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

The US dollar is a significant part of global economics, often seen as a symbol of American influence. In China, many people are familiar with the dollar due to international trade and travel, making it an important term in everyday conversations about finance.

Memory Tip

Think of 美 (Mei3) as 'beautiful' and imagine a beautiful dollar bill that makes you happy. The character 元 (yuan2) looks like a 'Y' with a line through it, resembling the symbol for currency. Together, 美元 reminds you of a beautiful dollar!

Meanings of 美元

měiyuán(Mei3yuan2)
1American dollar
2US dollar
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About 美元

美元Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 美元

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Podcast: 美元

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AI Study Notes for 美元

Quick Contrast

人民币 (rénmínbì) - use 美元 when specifically referring to the US dollar, while 人民币 refers to the Chinese yuan.

Usage Notes

When using 美元, be mindful of the context, as it is typically used in financial discussions, travel, or commerce. A common mistake is to confuse it with other currencies; always clarify which dollar you are referring to, such as '加拿大元' (Canadian dollar) versus '美元'.

HSK Study Tips

While 美元 itself may not appear in HSK vocabulary lists, understanding currency terms is vital for practical language use, especially in HSK Level 3 and above. Focus on related words like '人民币' (Renminbi) and practice currency exchange dialogues.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 美元 with other dollar currencies, such as '加元' (Canadian dollar); ensure you specify '美元' when discussing the US dollar. Another mistake is omitting the measure word, for example saying '我有两美元' instead of '我有两张美元' for clarity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 美元

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Component Characters

美měibeautiful
HSK 49 strokes羊
View full entry
元yuánunit of money (in PRC: Chinese yuan, in USA: dollar, etc)
HSK 14 strokes儿
View full entry

How to say American dollar in Chinese

“American dollar” in Chinese is美元měiyuán

美元 (Mei3 yuan2) refers specifically to the United States dollar, which is the official currency of the United States. It is commonly used in international trade and finance, often symbolized by the '$' sign. The term can also represent the broader concept of currency exchange and economic transactions involving the US dollar.

When to use 美元

When using 美元, be mindful of the context, as it is typically used in financial discussions, travel, or commerce. A common mistake is to confuse it with other currencies; always clarify which dollar you are referring to, such as '加拿大元' (Canadian dollar) versus '美元'.

美元 or something close to it

人民币 (rénmínbì) - use 美元 when specifically referring to the US dollar, while 人民币 refers to the Chinese yuan.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 美元 with other dollar currencies, such as '加元' (Canadian dollar); ensure you specify '美元' when discussing the US dollar. Another mistake is omitting the measure word, for example saying '我有两美元' instead of '我有两张美元' for clarity.

Write 美元

美
元

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

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Cultural Notes for 美元

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, currency is often tied to national identity, whereas in China, the emphasis may also include the significance of government stability and economic strength tied to the yuan.

Frequently Asked Questions about 美元

The symbol for 美元 is '$', which is commonly used globally to denote the US dollar.

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