HSK 1
钱数表示法
qián shù biǎo shì fǎ
How to read amounts of money in Chinese
Explanation
The way of stating amounts of money in Chinese uses three units: 块 (kuài — "yuan", used in spoken language in place of the formal 元 yuán), 毛 (máo — "jiao", equal to 1/10 of a yuan, the colloquial form of 角 jiǎo), and 分 (fēn — "fen/cent", equal to 1/100 of a yuan).
read the whole part first, then the jiao and fen: 九块三毛 (9 yuan 3 jiao = 9.30 yuan), 十五块六毛三分 (15 yuan 6 jiao 3 fen = 15.63 yuan). The last unit is usually omitted in speech (九块三 instead of 九块三毛).
when there is a 0 between the place values, you must read 零 (líng — zero): 25.08元 is read as 二十五块零八分. A round amount can omit the final unit: 150元 is said as 一百五十块 or just 一百五十.
forgetting to read 零 when a place is empty (105 must be 一百零五, not 一百五); confusing 元/块 — write 元, say 块.
Examples
9 yuan 3 jiao (9.30 yuan)
15 yuan 6 jiao 3 fen (15.63 yuan)
25 yuan and 8 fen (25.08 yuan)
150 yuan / 150 yuan (colloquial) (150 yuan)
105 yuan / 105 yuan (colloquial) (105 yuan)
Practice
Test your understanding with a quick quiz
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.
You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.