Managing Money in China: Essential Chinese Banking Phrases

Effectively managing your finances is crucial whether you’re a short-term visitor or a long-term resident in China. While major international banks and larger Chinese banks in cities often have English-speaking staff, knowing some fundamental Chinese banking phrases can significantly ease your transactions, especially in smaller local banks or when dealing with specific services. This guide covers the essential vocabulary and expressions you’ll need for common banking activities.

Opening a Bank Account (开户 – Kāihù)

Opening a bank account is often the first step for managing money locally. Requirements can vary slightly between banks, but the process is generally straightforward for foreigners with the right documentation.

• Finding the Right Bank: Major Chinese banks like ICBC (中国工商银行), Bank of China (中国银行), CCB (建设银行), and ABC (农业银行) have extensive networks. You might ask: 附近哪里有银行？(Fùjìn nǎlǐ yǒu yínháng?) – “Where is the nearest bank?”
• Expressing Your Intent: Tell the clerk you want to open an account: 我想开一个银行账户。(Wǒ xiǎng kāi yí gè yínháng zhànghù.)
• Required Documents: Be prepared to show:
  • 护照 (Hùzhào) – Passport
  • 签证 (Qiānzhèng) – Visa (often requiring a certain validity period)
  • 临时住宿登记表 (Línshí zhùsù dēngjì biǎo) – Temporary Accommodation Registration Form (obtained from your hotel or local police station)
  • Some banks might require additional proof of address or employment.
• Asking Questions:
  • 开户需要什么材料？(Kāihù xūyào shénme cáiliào?) – “What documents are needed to open an account?”
  • 这个账户有年费吗？(Zhège zhànghù yǒu niánfèi ma?) – “Is there an annual fee for this account?”
  • 可以网上银行吗？(Kěyǐ wǎngshàng yínháng ma?) – “Is online banking available?”
  • 银行卡丢了怎么办？(Yínháng kǎ diū le zěnme bàn?) – “What should I do if I lose my bank card?”

Basic Transactions: Deposits, Withdrawals, and Transfers

Once you have an account, performing daily transactions is routine.

• Making a Deposit (存款 – Cúnkuǎn):
  • 我想存钱。(Wǒ xiǎng cún qián.) – “I want to deposit money.”
  • 请帮我把这XX元存到我的账户里。(Qǐng bāng wǒ bǎ zhè XX yuán cún dào wǒ de zhànghù lǐ.) – “Please help me deposit this XX yuan into my account.”
• Withdrawing Cash (取款 – Qǔkuǎn):
  • 我想取钱。(Wǒ xiǎng qǔ qián.) – “I want to withdraw money.”
  • 我可以取多少钱？(Wǒ kěyǐ qǔ duōshǎo qián?) – “How much money can I withdraw?”
  • 每天取款限额是多少？(Měitiān qǔkuǎn xiàné shì duōshǎo?) – “What is the daily withdrawal limit?”
• Transferring Money (转账 – Zhuǎnzhang):
  • 我想转账。(Wǒ xiǎng zhuǎnzhang.) – “I want to transfer money.”
  • 请帮我转XX元到这个账户。(Qǐng bāng wǒ zhuǎn XX yuán dào zhè ge zhànghù.) – “Please transfer XX yuan to this account for me.”
  • 手续费多少钱？(Shǒuxùfèi duōshǎo qián?) – “How much is the transfer fee?”

Using the ATM (自动取款机 – Zìdòng qǔkuǎn jī)

ATMs are ubiquitous and often have English menu options, but understanding the Chinese prompts can be helpful.

• Inserting Card: 请插入银行卡。(Qǐng chārù yínháng kǎ.) – “Please insert your bank card.”
• Common Options:
  • 查询余额 (Cháxún yú’é) – Check Balance
  • 取款 (Qǔkuǎn) – Withdrawal
  • 修改密码 (Xiūgǎi mìmǎ) – Change Password
• Completing Transaction: 请取走您的卡和现金。(Qǐng qǔ zǒu nín de kǎ hé xiànjīn.) – “Please take your card and cash.”

Other Banking Services

You might need assistance with other services.

• Getting a New Card: 我的卡坏了，可以换一张吗？(Wǒ de kǎ huài le, kěyǐ huàn yì zhāng ma?) – “My card is broken, can I get a replacement?”
• Reporting a Lost Card: 我的卡丢了。(Wǒ de kǎ diū le.) – “I lost my card.”
• Inquiring About Interest Rates: 定期存款的利率是多少？(Dìngqī cúnkuǎn de lìlǜ shì duōshǎo?) – “What is the interest rate for fixed deposits?”
• Safe Deposit Box: 有保险箱吗？(Yǒu bǎoxiǎnxiāng ma?) – “Do you have safety deposit boxes?”

Cultural Tips and Practical Advice

• Banking Hours: Typically M-F 9am-5pm, sometimes later. Check specific branch hours.
• Peak Times: Avoid lunch hours (12pm-1pm) and the end of the month when possible.
• Bring Your Card: Always have your bank card and ID (passport) handy for transactions.
• Queuing: Expect queues, especially at larger banks. Take a number if available.
• Language: While larger banks may have English services, learning these basic phrases prepares you for interactions at any bank and shows respect for the local process.
• Online Banking/Apps: Setting up Chinese online banking or downloading the bank’s app (often available in English) is highly recommended for convenience, checking balances, and managing accounts.