English–Chinese
“small change” in Chinese
How to say “small change” in Chinese
“Small change” in Chinese is 零钱 (líng qián).
A handful of low-denomination money moving between pockets, counters, and the remainder of a payment.
Example sentences with 零钱
出门前，她总是把零钱放在口袋里。chū mén qián tā zǒng shì bǎ líng qián fàng zài kǒu dài lǐ
Before going out, she always puts her small change in her pocket.
Tips for using 零钱
- In Chinese, 零钱 (língqián, "small change") can describe money kept for small purchases before any transaction occurs, whereas English "change" often points to money returned after payment.
Other Chinese words for “small change”
钱包里只有几块零头，不够买咖啡。qián bāo lǐ zhí yǒu jǐ kuài líng tóu bú gòu mǎi kā fēi
The wallet contains only a few yuan in loose change, not enough to buy coffee.