纸币 (zhǐbì) means 'paper currency' or 'banknotes' in Chinese. It refers to the physical money made of paper that is used for transactions, distinguishing it from coins and digital forms of currency. In everyday contexts, 纸币 is used when discussing money, payments, and financial transactions.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
zhǐbì(zhi3bi4) T3
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May 27, 2026
纸币zhǐbì(zhi3bi4)
纸币 (zhǐbì) means 'paper currency' or 'banknotes' in Chinese. It refers to the physical money made of paper that is used for transactions, distinguishing it from coins and digital forms of currency. In everyday contexts, 纸币 is used when discussing money, payments, and financial transactions.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In China, cash transactions are becoming less common due to the widespread use of mobile payment systems like WeChat Pay and Alipay. However, 纸币 remains important, especially in rural areas or for smaller transactions.
Memory Tip
Think of 纸 (zhǐ) as a piece of paper, and 币 (bì) as something that represents value, like a coin or currency. Picture a stack of colorful banknotes (纸币) that you can hold in your hand, helping you remember that this word refers to paper money.
About 纸币
纸币Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 纸币
Podcast: 纸币
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AI Study Notes for 纸币
Quick Contrast
纸钞 (zhǐchāo) - use 纸币 for general references to paper currency, while 纸钞 specifically refers to banknotes in circulation.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 纸 (zhǐ) as a piece of paper, and 币 (bì) as something that represents value, like a coin or currency. Picture a stack of colorful banknotes (纸币) that you can hold in your hand, helping you remember that this word refers to paper money.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 纸币 with 硬币 (yìngbì), which means 'coins'. 纸币 is more formal and often used in financial contexts, while 硬币 is used in everyday conversation. Be mindful of pronunciation, ensuring you use the correct tones to convey meaning accurately.
HSK Study Tips
For HSK 7 learners, focus on using 纸币 in discussions about finance, shopping, or economic issues. This word connects with vocabulary related to money, such as 钱 (qián, money) and 兑换 (duìhuàn, exchange), enhancing your ability to engage in more complex conversations about financial topics.
Cultural Note
In China, cash transactions are becoming less common due to the widespread use of mobile payment systems like WeChat Pay and Alipay. However, 纸币 remains important, especially in rural areas or for smaller transactions.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is mispronouncing 纸币 as 'zhǐbì' instead of the correct tone. Additionally, learners often confuse 纸币 with digital payment methods, which can lead to misunderstandings in financial discussions.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 纸币
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Cultural Notes for 纸币
🏮Cultural insight
In China, cash transactions are becoming less common due to the widespread use of mobile payment systems like WeChat Pay and Alipay. However, 纸币 remains important, especially in rural areas or for smaller transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 纸币
纸币 refers to paper money, while 硬币 refers to coins. They are both forms of currency but differ in material and usage.
You can say '我只用纸币支付' which means 'I only pay with paper money'.
Yes, China has various denominations of paper currency, each with different colors and designs representing historical figures and landmarks.
