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March 24, 2026
零钱(零錢)língqián(ling2qian2)
零钱 refers to small denominations of currency, often used for everyday transactions or to make purchases when exact change is needed. It is commonly used in informal contexts, such as when shopping at local markets or when tipping service providers.
Strokes23Frequency#6300DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, using and managing零钱 is important in daily life, especially in markets where prices are often negotiated. Having enough small change is considered a practical skill and is appreciated in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a little piggy bank filled with coins that jingles when you shake it, reminding you of '零' (zero) coins. The '钱' (money) part connects with the sound 'qian,' making it easier to remember that '零钱' is all about small coins.
Meanings of 零钱
língqián(ling2qian2)
1change (of money)
2small change
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 零钱
零钱Simplified
零錢Traditional
23Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6300Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 零钱
Podcast: 零钱
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AI Study Notes for 零钱
Quick Contrast
零钱 (loose change) vs 零钞 (small change) — use 零钱 for informal or everyday contexts, while 零钞 may imply a more specific type of small currency note or coin.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 零钱 with larger sums of money; it specifically refers to smaller amounts. It's often used in casual conversation, so it may not be appropriate in formal financial contexts. Common collocations include '找零钱' (to give change) and '有零钱吗?' (do you have change?).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 零钱 connects with other financial vocabulary at this level, such as 钱 (money) and 价格 (price). Students should practice using it in sentences related to shopping and transactions to reinforce their understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 零钱 with larger sums or cash in general. For example, saying '我需要零钱来买这辆车' (I need small change to buy this car) is incorrect; a more accurate expression would be '我需要钱来买这辆车' (I need money to buy this car).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 零钱
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How Well Do You Know 零钱?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 零钱 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.
零钱 refers to small denominations of currency, often used for everyday transactions or to make purchases when exact change is needed. It is commonly used in informal contexts, such as when shopping at local markets or when tipping service providers.
When to use 零钱
Be careful not to confuse 零钱 with larger sums of money; it specifically refers to smaller amounts. It's often used in casual conversation, so it may not be appropriate in formal financial contexts. Common collocations include '找零钱' (to give change) and '有零钱吗?' (do you have change?).
零钱 or something close to it
零钱 (loose change) vs 零钞 (small change) — use 零钱 for informal or everyday contexts, while 零钞 may imply a more specific type of small currency note or coin.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 零钱 with larger sums or cash in general. For example, saying '我需要零钱来买这辆车' (I need small change to buy this car) is incorrect; a more accurate expression would be '我需要钱来买这辆车' (I need money to buy this car).
Write 零钱
零
钱
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Grammar Patterns of 零钱
零钱 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 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.
她数出了30便士——大部分是____——递给了我。
She was counting out 30p, mostly in small change, into my hand.
