Chinese word

现金

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiàn jīn

Meaning

  • nouncash

Example

可以用现金吗？ké yǐ yòng xiàn jīn ma

Can I use cash?

Illustration for 现金 (cash)

More examples

出门时我习惯携带一点现金应急。chū mén shí wǒ xí guàn xié dài yì diǎn xiàn jīn yìng jí

When I leave home, I usually carry a little cash for emergencies.

Core concept

Currency that can be handed over immediately to settle a purchase.

Common phrases

  • 用现金支付yòng xiàn jīn zhī fù

    pay with cash

  • 携带现金xié dài xiàn jīn

    carry cash

Similar words

钱qián: Money used in everyday transactions, including banknotes and coins.
银行卡yín háng kǎ: A bank-issued card used to pay or withdraw money from a linked bank account.
钞票chāo piào: Paper money used for payments in shops and other places.
硬币yìng bì: Metal money used for payments, often for small amounts.

Definition in Chinese

以纸币和硬币形式存在，可以立即用于支付的货币。yǐ zhǐ bì hé yìng bì xíng shì cún zài ké yǐ lì jí yòng yú zhī fù de huò bì

Word origin

现金 (xiànjīn, "cash") is formed from 现 (xiàn, "present or current") and 金 (jīn, "money"), highlighting money that is available now.

Usage tips

  • English cash can sometimes describe money held as a financial asset, but this Chinese noun points to the physical form used at the time of payment.

Related words

  • 现金卡xiàn jīn kǎcash cardnoun

Word lists with this word