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透支 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
透支tòuzhī(bank) overdraftHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #16945, Very Hard
tòuzhī(tou4zhi1)tou zhi T4
  1. 1(bank) overdraft
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March 24, 2026

透支tòuzhī(tou4zhi1)

透支 (tòuzhī) refers to the situation when a bank account balance goes below zero, meaning that the account holder has spent more money than they have deposited. This term is commonly used in financial contexts, particularly concerning personal banking and credit situations, highlighting the concept of borrowing short-term funds from the bank.

Strokes14Frequency#16945DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In China, the concept of overdraft is often viewed with caution, as financial management is deeply tied to social stability and personal reputation. Many Chinese people prioritize saving over spending, making the use of overdrafts less common compared to some Western cultures.

Memory tip

Think of '透' (tòu) as 'passing through' and '支' (zhī) as 'supporting' or 'branching'. Imagine a tree branch (支) that has grown so far (透) that it droops down, symbolizing spending beyond your means. This visual of a drooping branch can help you remember both the pronunciation and meaning.

Meanings of 透支

tòuzhī(tou4zhi1)
1(bank) overdraft
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About 透支

透支Simplified
14Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

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Podcast: 透支

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AI study notes for 透支

Quick Contrast

透支 (tòuzhī) vs 贷款 (dàikuǎn) — use 透支 when referring to overdrawing an account, while 贷款 specifically refers to taking out a loan.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 透支 with other financial terms like 借款 (jièkuǎn, loan) or 贷款 (dàikuǎn, mortgage). 透支 is informal and often used in everyday conversation, whereas the others may be more formal. When discussing finances, ensure you use the correct tone, as financial matters often carry significant implications.

HSK Study Tips

While 透支 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to financial terms that learners may encounter in HSK materials. Focus on understanding related terms, such as 银行 (yínháng, bank) and 账户 (zhànghù, account), to build a broader financial vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 透支 with 透过 (tòuguò, to pass through) due to the similar pronunciation. Remember that 透支 specifically relates to financial overdrafts, not general movement or passage.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 透支

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Component characters

透tòuto penetrate
HSK 610 strokes辶
View full entry
支zhīto support
HSK 54 strokes支
View full entry

How to say (bank) overdraft in Chinese

“(bank) overdraft” in Chinese is透支tòuzhī

透支 (tòuzhī) refers to the situation when a bank account balance goes below zero, meaning that the account holder has spent more money than they have deposited. This term is commonly used in financial contexts, particularly concerning personal banking and credit situations, highlighting the concept of borrowing short-term funds from the bank.

When to use 透支

Be careful not to confuse 透支 with other financial terms like 借款 (jièkuǎn, loan) or 贷款 (dàikuǎn, mortgage). 透支 is informal and often used in everyday conversation, whereas the others may be more formal. When discussing finances, ensure you use the correct tone, as financial matters often carry significant implications.

透支 or something close to it

透支 (tòuzhī) vs 贷款 (dàikuǎn) — use 透支 when referring to overdrawing an account, while 贷款 specifically refers to taking out a loan.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 透支 with 透过 (tòuguò, to pass through) due to the similar pronunciation. Remember that 透支 specifically relates to financial overdrafts, not general movement or passage.

Write 透支

透
支

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Cultural Notes for 透支

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, overdrafts are often seen as a standard banking service, whereas in China, they may be associated with financial irresponsibility.

Frequently asked questions about 透支

Exceeding your overdraft limit may incur additional fees or penalties, and it could negatively affect your credit score.

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