HSK 1

钱数表示法

How to read amounts of money in Chinese

Explanation

In Chinese, to read amounts of money, we use the main units 块 (kuài) instead of 元 (yuán) in everyday speech, 毛 (máo) for the dime/jiao, and 分 (fēn) for the cent. When reading an amount with a decimal part, we read the whole part first and then the decimal part, for example 9.30元 is read as 九块三毛. If the decimal part has a 0 in the middle, we use the word 零 (líng) to separate it, as in 25.08元 read as 二十五块零八分. For round amounts in tens or hundreds, we can omit the last unit, for example 150元 is read as 一百五十块 or 一百五十.

Examples

九块三(毛)(9.30元)
jiǔkuàisānmáo9.30yuán
十五块六毛三(分)(15.63元)
shíkuàiliùmáosānfēn15.63yuán
二十五块零八(分)(25.08元)
èrshíkuàilíngfēn25.08yuán
一百五十(元)一百五十(块)(150元)
bǎishíyuánbǎishíkuài150yuán
一百零五(元)一百零五(块)(105元)
bǎilíngyuánbǎilíngkuài105yuán

Learn “钱数表示法” effectively

The grammar point “钱数表示法” (How to read amounts of money in Chinese) is one of the key structures at HSK 1. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.

Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.

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