fùqián: 付钱 - To Pay Money, To Make a Payment

• Keywords: 付钱, fuqian, fù qián, pay money in Chinese, how to say pay in Chinese, Chinese for pay, making a payment in China, paying in China, mǎidān, jiézhàng, fùkuǎn, Alipay, WeChat Pay.
• Summary: Learn how to say “pay money” in Chinese with 付钱 (fùqián), the most essential and direct term for all types of transactions. This guide covers its meaning, cultural context in modern China's cashless society, and practical examples for shopping, dining, and using mobile payments like Alipay and WeChat Pay. Understand the crucial differences between 付钱, 买单 (mǎidān), and 付款 (fùkuǎn) to sound like a native speaker.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fù qián
• Part of Speech: Verb-Object Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: To pay money; to make a payment.
• In a Nutshell: 付钱 (fùqián) is the default, all-purpose phrase for the action of paying. It's a straightforward combination of “to hand over” (付) and “money” (钱). Whether you're buying groceries, paying for a taxi, or completing an online purchase, 付钱 is the clear, neutral, and universally understood term for the transaction.

• 付 (fù): This character means “to pay,” “to hand over,” or “to deliver.” Think of it as one person (`亻`, a variation of `人` rén, person) handing something over with their hand (`寸` cùn, an ancient measurement unit often associated with the hand). You are handing over payment.
• 钱 (qián): This character means “money.” It's composed of the metal radical `金 (jīn)` on the left and a phonetic component on the right. This logically connects “money” to historical metal coins.
• Together, 付钱 (fùqián) literally and simply means “to hand over money.”

While 付钱 (fùqián) is a simple transactional term, the way one pays in China is deeply significant and has undergone a revolutionary shift. In the West, paying often involves a choice between cash, debit, or credit card. In modern China, the culture of paying has become almost entirely digital, leapfrogging the credit card era. The act of 付钱 is now synonymous with scanning a QR code.

• The Cashless Revolution: In major cities, it's common for vendors, from high-end restaurants to street food stalls, to prefer or only accept mobile payments. The two giants, 支付宝 (Zhīfùbǎo - Alipay) and 微信支付 (Wēixìn Zhīfù - WeChat Pay), dominate daily life. For a learner or traveler, understanding this context is crucial. Saying “我要付钱” (Wǒ yào fùqián) will almost always be followed by you opening an app on your phone, not your wallet.
• Social Paying: “Going Dutch” vs. “Treating”: The act of paying is also tied to social dynamics. While “going Dutch,” or AA制 (AA zhì), is becoming more common among young people, the tradition of one person 请客 (qǐngkè - to treat) is still very strong, especially in more formal or business settings. Who offers to 付钱 first can be a gesture of respect, generosity, or seniority. In these situations, there might be a polite “struggle” over who gets to scan the QR code first.

付钱 (fùqián) is a neutral term used in almost any context where money is exchanged for goods or services.

• In Daily Conversation: It's the standard term used between friends, family, and in any informal to semi-formal setting. “你付钱了吗？” (Nǐ fùqián le ma? - Did you pay?).
• At a Store or Market: When you're at the checkout counter, you can simply say “你好, 付钱” (Nǐ hǎo, fùqián - Hello, I'd like to pay).
• In Restaurants: While more specific terms like `买单 (mǎidān)` or `结账 (jiézhàng)` are common for “paying the bill,” using 付钱 is still perfectly acceptable and understood. “服务员, 我们要付钱” (Fúwùyuán, wǒmen yào fùqián - Waiter, we want to pay).
• Online and Mobile: The term is used frequently when discussing online shopping or mobile payments. “我用微信付钱” (Wǒ yòng Wēixìn fùqián - I'll pay with WeChat). The button on a website might use the more formal `付款 (fùkuǎn)`, but in conversation about the act, 付钱 is common.

• Example 1:
  • 到我了，我该去付钱了。
  • Pinyin: Dào wǒ le, wǒ gāi qù fùqián le.
  • English: It's my turn, I should go pay now.
  • Analysis: A simple, common statement you might say to your friend when you're in a checkout line.
• Example 2:
  • 服务员，可以付钱吗？
  • Pinyin: Fúwùyuán, kěyǐ fùqián ma?
  • English: Waiter, can we pay?
  • Analysis: A polite way to get the server's attention to pay the bill in a restaurant.
• Example 3:
  • 这顿饭谁付钱？
  • Pinyin: Zhè dùn fàn shéi fùqián?
  • English: Who is paying for this meal?
  • Analysis: A direct question used among friends to figure out how to handle the bill.
• Example 4:
  • 你可以用手机付钱，非常方便。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ yòng shǒujī fùqián, fēicháng fāngbiàn.
  • English: You can pay with your phone, it's extremely convenient.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the modern context of mobile payments in China.
• Example 5:
  • 不用你付钱，今天我请客。
  • Pinyin: Búyòng nǐ fùqián, jīntiān wǒ qǐngkè.
  • English: You don't need to pay, it's my treat today.
  • Analysis: This shows the interplay between the act of paying (`付钱`) and the social custom of treating someone (`请客`).
• Example 6:
  • 我忘了带现金，只能用支付宝付钱。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ wàngle dài xiànjīn, zhǐ néng yòng Zhīfùbǎo fùqián.
  • English: I forgot to bring cash, I can only pay with Alipay.
  • Analysis: A very realistic scenario in modern China. Note the structure “用 + [method] + 付钱”.
• Example 7:
  • 你需要先付钱，然后才能拿走商品。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào xiān fùqián, ránhòu cáinéng názǒu shāngpǐn.
  • English: You need to pay first, then you can take the goods.
  • Analysis: `先…然后…` (xiān…ránhòu…) is a common structure for “first…then…”.
• Example 8:
  • 他每个月都要为房租付钱。
  • Pinyin: Tā měi ge yuè dōu yào wèi fángzū fùqián.
  • English: He has to pay for rent every month.
  • Analysis: The structure `为 + [reason] + 付钱` means “to pay for [reason]”.
• Example 9:
  • 在网上买东西付钱很安全。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǎngshàng mǎi dōngxi fùqián hěn ānquán.
  • English: Paying for things bought online is very safe.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates using `付钱` as the subject of a sentence (the act of paying).
• Example 10:
  • 这个东西太贵了，我不想付钱。
  • Pinyin: Zhège dōngxi tài guì le, wǒ bùxiǎng fùqián.
  • English: This thing is too expensive, I don't want to pay for it.
  • Analysis: A straightforward negative statement expressing unwillingness to pay due to price.

• `付钱 (fùqián)` vs. `买单 (mǎidān)`: This is the most common point of confusion.
  • `付钱` is general: “to pay money.” Use it anywhere (supermarket, taxi, online).
  • `买单 (mǎidān)` is specific: “to pay the bill/check.” Use it only in restaurants, cafes, bars, or KTV. Literally “to buy the bill.”
  • Incorrect Usage: Saying “我要买单” (Wǒ yào mǎidān) at a grocery store checkout. It would sound very strange. The correct phrase is “我要付钱” (Wǒ yào fùqián).
• `付钱 (fùqián)` vs. `付款 (fùkuǎn)`:
  • `付钱` is the common, everyday spoken term. It's what you say in conversation.
  • `付款 (fùkuǎn)` is more formal and often written. You will see it on websites (“点击此处付款” - Click here to pay), in contracts, or in formal business communication. While you can say it, it sounds slightly more stiff and official than `付钱`.
• `付钱 (fùqián)` vs. `结账 (jiézhàng)`:
  • `结账 (jiézhàng)` means “to settle the bill” or “to check out.” It is very similar to `买单` and is used frequently in restaurants. It can also be used when checking out of a hotel. It has a slightly more “finalizing” feel to it than `付钱`. In a restaurant, `买单` and `结账` are often interchangeable.

• 买单 (mǎidān) - A synonym used specifically for paying the bill in a restaurant, bar, or café.
• 结账 (jiézhàng) - To settle the bill/check out. Very common in restaurants and essential for checking out of a hotel.
• 付款 (fùkuǎn) - A more formal, often written, version of “to make a payment.”
• 支付 (zhīfù) - To pay. A slightly more formal term, very common in the names of digital payment systems.
• 支付宝 (Zhīfùbǎo) - Alipay, one of China's two dominant mobile payment platforms. Literally “payment treasure.”
• 微信支付 (Wēixìn Zhīfù) - WeChat Pay, the other dominant mobile payment platform, integrated into the WeChat app.
• 现金 (xiànjīn) - Cash. Increasingly rare in urban China.
• 请客 (qǐngkè) - To treat; to act as the host by paying for everyone.
• AA制 (AA zhì) - “Going Dutch”; splitting the cost evenly. The “AA” comes from the English “Algebraic Average.”
• 二维码 (èrwéimǎ) - QR code. The essential tool for modern payment in China.