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A2 noun #1,400 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

信用

xinyong
At the A1 level, learners encounter the word 信用 primarily in the context of daily transactions, specifically as part of the compound word 信用卡 (xìnyòngkǎ), which means 'credit card'. For beginners, the focus is not on the abstract concept of trustworthiness, but rather on practical, survival-level vocabulary. You will learn to recognize this word when paying at a store, restaurant, or hotel. Phrases like '刷信用卡' (swipe a credit card) or questions like '可以用信用卡吗？' (Can I use a credit card?) are essential. The character 信 (xìn) means 'letter' or 'to believe', and 用 (yòng) means 'to use'. Together, they form the basis for 'credit'. At this stage, simply associating 信用 with the plastic card in your wallet is sufficient. It is a highly practical word that helps you navigate basic financial interactions in a Chinese-speaking environment. You do not need to worry about the complex moral or social implications of the word yet. Just focus on recognizing the characters and pronouncing them correctly so you can successfully make purchases and manage your basic spending while traveling or living abroad.
As you progress to the A2 level, the meaning of 信用 expands beyond just 'credit card' to its core meaning of 'trustworthiness' or 'keeping one's word'. You begin to use it to describe people's character in simple terms. You will learn the very common phrase 讲信用 (jiǎng xìnyòng), which means 'to be trustworthy' or 'to keep promises'. For example, you might say '他是一个讲信用的人' (He is a trustworthy person). This is a crucial step in moving from transactional language to relational language. You start to understand that 信用 is a noun that represents a positive quality. Conversely, you learn how to express the negative: 不讲信用 (not keeping one's word). At this level, the context is usually personal relationships—friends keeping promises, showing up on time, or returning borrowed items. Understanding this dual usage—financial credit and personal reliability—marks a significant milestone in your comprehension of Chinese vocabulary, showing how a single word can bridge the gap between money and morality in everyday life.
At the B1 intermediate level, your understanding of 信用 deepens as you encounter it in more complex social and professional contexts. You will start to see it used in business environments and formal agreements. The vocabulary expands to include terms like 信用记录 (credit record) and 信用评级 (credit rating). You will learn how to discuss the consequences of losing trust, using phrases like 失去信用 (lose credit/trust). In business Chinese, emphasizing that a company is 守信用 (keeps its promises) is a common theme in dialogues and reading passages. Furthermore, you begin to distinguish 信用 from similar words like 信任 (to trust) and 相信 (to believe), understanding that 信用 is the noun representing the asset of reliability, while the others are verbs. You can now express more nuanced thoughts, such as explaining why you trust someone based on their past 信用. This level requires you to actively use the word in sentences to justify opinions, describe professional relationships, and understand basic financial news or banking procedures in Chinese.
Reaching the B2 upper-intermediate level means you can handle the abstract and systemic applications of 信用. You will frequently encounter this word in discussions about China's modern digital economy and social systems. Concepts like 芝麻信用 (Sesame Credit) and the broader 社会信用体系 (Social Credit System) become topics of reading and debate. You understand that 信用 is not just a personal trait but a quantifiable metric that affects one's ability to participate fully in society—impacting loan approvals, travel privileges, and employment opportunities. Your vocabulary includes advanced collocations like 信用危机 (credit crisis), 信用破产 (credit bankruptcy), and 建立信用 (establish credit). You can read news articles discussing the economic implications of credit policies and write essays on the importance of integrity in modern society. At this stage, you fully grasp the cultural weight of the word, recognizing that in Chinese society, maintaining one's 信用 is a fundamental civic and moral duty, and you can articulate these complex ideas fluently in discussions.
At the C1 advanced level, your mastery of 信用 involves a highly nuanced understanding of its sociolinguistic and cultural implications. You can effortlessly navigate the subtle differences between 信用, 信誉 (reputation), and 信念 (faith/belief) in complex texts and professional discourse. You use the word in sophisticated rhetorical structures, such as formal business proposals, legal contracts, and academic papers. You understand idioms and formal expressions related to trust, such as 言而有信 (to be true to one's word). In debates or negotiations, you can leverage the concept of 信用 to persuade or build alliances, understanding its power as a tool of 'guanxi' (relationships). You are also capable of analyzing historical and philosophical texts that discuss the root concept of 信 (xìn) in Confucianism and how it has evolved into the modern concept of 信用. Your usage is indistinguishable from an educated native speaker, employing the word with precise register and tone, whether criticizing a breach of contract or praising a lifelong partnership based on mutual reliability.
At the C2 mastery level, 信用 is a concept you can deconstruct and analyze across all dimensions of Chinese literature, philosophy, economics, and law. You understand its etymological roots in classical Chinese texts, where the virtue of 信 (xìn) was paramount for a Junzi (gentleman). You can read and critique complex academic papers on the macroeconomic impacts of credit expansion (信用扩张) or the legal frameworks governing credit reporting (征信). You are adept at using the word creatively in literature or persuasive writing, playing with its dual meanings of moral integrity and financial leverage. You can engage in high-level philosophical discussions about whether the modern digitization of 信用 (via social credit scores) aligns with or contradicts traditional Confucian values. Your command of the language allows you to invent new metaphors or understand highly specialized jargon involving 信用 in sectors like international finance or sociology. At this ultimate level, the word is not just vocabulary; it is a lens through which you can deeply analyze and articulate the fundamental workings of Chinese civilization and its modern transformations.
Beispiele
Core Meaning
The Chinese word 信用 (xìnyòng) fundamentally refers to the concept of trustworthiness, reliability, and credit. In traditional Chinese culture, it is deeply rooted in Confucian values, specifically the virtue of 信 (xìn), which emphasizes honesty and keeping one's promises. When people use this word in everyday conversation, they are often evaluating whether a person or an organization can be relied upon to fulfill their commitments. It bridges the gap between moral integrity and practical reliability, making it a cornerstone of both personal relationships and professional interactions.
Financial Context
In modern times, 信用 has taken on a highly specific financial meaning, directly translating to 'credit' in the banking and economic sectors. This includes concepts like credit scores, credit cards (信用卡), and credit history. When a bank evaluates your 信用, they are looking at your financial track record to determine if you are a safe candidate for a loan. This dual nature of the word—encompassing both moral trustworthiness and financial viability—makes it incredibly versatile and frequently used in contemporary Chinese society.
Social Credit
Furthermore, the term has gained new dimensions with the advent of social credit systems in China. In this context, 信用 extends beyond just financial borrowing to encompass a broader spectrum of civic behavior. A person's 信用 can be affected by their adherence to laws, social norms, and community guidelines. This modern application underscores how deeply the concept of measurable trustworthiness is embedded in the societal framework, reflecting a systemic approach to evaluating and rewarding reliable behavior.

做生意最重要的是讲信用。

他的信用很好，银行愿意贷款给他。

如果你不遵守诺言，就会失去信用。

我可以用信用卡付款吗？

建立良好的信用需要很长时间。

To fully grasp the depth of this word, one must understand that in Chinese culture, losing one's 信用 is considered a severe social failure. It is not merely a matter of a declining bank score, but a fundamental breach of the social contract. Whether you are borrowing money, making a business deal, or simply promising a friend that you will show up on time, your 信用 is constantly being evaluated. This extensive integration of the concept into daily life makes it one of the most critical vocabulary words for any learner aiming to navigate Chinese society effectively. The word is ubiquitous, appearing in banking apps, business contracts, and casual conversations about character and reliability. By mastering its usage, you unlock a deeper understanding of Chinese social dynamics and economic principles.
Action Verbs
To use 信用 correctly, you must pair it with the right verbs. The most common collocation is 讲信用 (jiǎng xìnyòng), which literally means 'to speak credit' but translates to 'to keep one's word' or 'to be trustworthy'. Another frequent pairing is 守信用 (shǒu xìnyòng), meaning 'to guard one's credit' or 'to abide by one's promises'. Conversely, if someone fails to keep their word, you would say they 失去信用 (shīqù xìnyòng) - 'lose credit' or 不讲信用 (bù jiǎng xìnyòng) - 'do not keep their word'. These verb-noun pairings are essential for natural-sounding Chinese.
Adjective Modifiers
When describing the quality or level of someone's trustworthiness or financial credit, you typically use adjectives like 好 (hǎo - good), 差 (chà - poor), or 高 (gāo - high). For example, 信用很好 (xìnyòng hěn hǎo) means 'very good credit' or 'highly trustworthy'. 信用度高 (xìnyòngdù gāo) refers to a 'high degree of creditworthiness', often used in formal or financial contexts. Understanding these modifiers helps you express nuances in how reliable a person or entity is perceived to be.
Compound Nouns
The word 信用 frequently acts as a modifier to create compound nouns, especially in the financial sector. The most ubiquitous example is 信用卡 (xìnyòngkǎ), meaning 'credit card'. Other common compounds include 信用记录 (xìnyòng jìlù - credit history/record), 信用评级 (xìnyòng píngjí - credit rating), and 信用体系 (xìnyòng tǐxì - credit system). Recognizing these compounds is crucial for navigating modern Chinese life, from opening a bank account to understanding news about the economy.

我们公司一向很讲信用。

他因为迟到太多次，在朋友中失去了信用。

请保护好你的个人信用记录。

这家商店的信用度非常高，你可以放心购买。

申请贷款需要评估你的信用等级。

When constructing sentences, it is important to remember the syntactic role of 信用. As a noun, it can function as the subject, object, or modifier within a sentence. For instance, as a subject: '信用是无价的' (Credit/Trustworthiness is priceless). As an object: '他破坏了自己的信用' (He ruined his own credit). As a modifier: '信用危机' (Credit crisis). The flexibility of this word allows it to be seamlessly integrated into various grammatical structures, making it an indispensable tool for expressing complex ideas related to trust, finance, and social standing. By practicing these different sentence patterns, learners can significantly enhance their conversational fluency and their ability to comprehend nuanced discussions in Chinese media and daily life.
Banking and Finance
The most literal and frequent place you will hear 信用 is in banks and financial institutions. Whether you are applying for a mortgage, opening a new account, or discussing interest rates, the term is unavoidable. Bank tellers will ask about your 信用卡 (credit card), and loan officers will scrutinize your 信用报告 (credit report). In this environment, the word is stripped of its moral philosophy and treated purely as a metric of financial risk and reliability. Understanding its usage here is essential for any expatriate or student managing their finances in a Chinese-speaking region.
E-commerce and Digital Life
In China's highly digitized economy, 信用 is a buzzword on platforms like Alipay and WeChat. Systems like Sesame Credit (芝麻信用 - Zhīmā Xìnyòng) evaluate users based on their purchasing habits, bill payments, and social connections. A high 信用 score on these apps can grant you perks like deposit-free bicycle rentals, easier hotel bookings, and faster loan approvals. Consequently, you will frequently see and hear this word in app notifications, promotional materials, and casual conversations among friends comparing their digital credit scores.
Business Negotiations
In the corporate world, 信用 is the currency of relationships (关系 - guānxi). During business negotiations, partners will often emphasize their company's 信用 to build trust. You will hear phrases like '我们是以信用为本的企业' (We are an enterprise based on trustworthiness). In this context, the word blends financial stability with moral integrity. A company with good 信用 is not only expected to pay its bills on time but also to deliver high-quality products and honor its verbal and written agreements.

先生，请问您需要办理信用卡吗？

我的芝麻信用分超过了七百。

这家供应商的信用一直很好，我们合作得很愉快。

如果逾期还款，会影响你的个人信用。

在现代社会，信用就是你的第二张身份证。

Beyond these structured environments, 信用 permeates everyday social interactions. Parents teach their children to be people of 信用, emphasizing that a good reputation is hard to build but easy to destroy. Friends might jokingly question each other's 信用 if someone frequently cancels plans at the last minute. The word serves as a moral compass in a rapidly changing society, reminding individuals that despite the fast pace of modern life, traditional values of honesty and reliability remain paramount. Therefore, listening for this word in various contexts will not only improve your vocabulary but also provide profound insights into the cultural values that shape Chinese society today.
Confusing Nouns and Verbs
A very common mistake among English speakers is trying to use 信用 as a verb, similar to how we use 'trust' in English. For example, a learner might say '我信用你' (I credit/trustworthiness you) to mean 'I trust you'. This is grammatically incorrect. 信用 is strictly a noun. If you want to say 'I trust you', you must use the verb 信任 (xìnrèn) or 相信 (xiāngxìn). The correct sentence is '我信任你' or '我相信你'. Remembering that 信用 represents the *concept* or *asset* of trust, rather than the action of trusting, is crucial for accurate communication.
Misusing Collocations
Another frequent error involves pairing 信用 with the wrong verbs. In English, we might say someone 'breaks' their credit or 'has' good credit. While '有信用' (has credit/trustworthiness) is acceptable, direct translations often fail. For instance, to say someone 'keeps their word', learners might invent phrases like '保持信用' (maintain credit), which sounds unnatural. The idiomatic and correct phrasing is '讲信用' (speak credit) or '守信用' (guard credit). Learning these specific verb-noun collocations is essential to avoid sounding like you are directly translating from English.
Overusing in Casual Contexts
While 信用 is a common word, it carries a certain weight. Using it for very trivial matters can sound overly dramatic. For example, if a friend forgets to bring a snack they promised, accusing them of '没有信用' (having no trustworthiness) might come across as too harsh or formal, unless used jokingly. In casual situations, it's often more natural to say '你说话不算数' (your words don't count) rather than invoking the heavy concept of 信用. Understanding the register and weight of the word helps in applying it appropriately.

Mistake: 我很信用他。 (Incorrect verb usage)

Correction: 我很信任他。 (I trust him very much.)

Mistake: 他做信用。 (Direct translation of 'he does credit')

Correction: 他很讲信用。 (He is very trustworthy/keeps his word.)

Mistake: 这是一个信用的问题。 (Awkward phrasing for a simple promise)

To master the usage of 信用, learners should actively practice the correct collocations and be mindful of the word's grammatical category. Reading financial news or observing how native speakers discuss reliability in professional settings can provide excellent models for correct usage. Furthermore, paying attention to the feedback from native speakers when you attempt to use the word will help refine your understanding of its appropriate contexts. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will sound much more natural and proficient in your Chinese communication, demonstrating a clear grasp of both the language's structure and its cultural nuances.
信任 (xìnrèn) vs. 信用 (xìnyòng)
While both words relate to trust, their grammatical functions and core meanings differ significantly. 信任 is primarily a verb meaning 'to trust' someone or something, though it can also be a noun meaning 'trust' (as an emotion or belief). For example, '我信任你' (I trust you). In contrast, 信用 is strictly a noun referring to the objective quality of being trustworthy or one's financial credit. You cannot '信用' someone, but you can evaluate their '信用'. Understanding this distinction is the most critical step in using these words correctly.
信誉 (xìnyù) vs. 信用 (xìnyòng)
信誉 translates to 'reputation' or 'prestige', specifically regarding trustworthiness. It is very similar to 信用, but 信誉 is more commonly applied to businesses, brands, or organizations rather than individuals. A company strives to build good 信誉 (reputation) in the market. While a company also has 信用 (credit/reliability), 信誉 carries a stronger connotation of public perception and prestige. For an individual, you would almost always use 信用 to describe their personal reliability or financial standing.
相信 (xiāngxìn) vs. 信用 (xìnyòng)
相信 is a very common verb meaning 'to believe' or 'to be convinced of'. It is used when you believe what someone says or believe in a fact. For instance, '我相信他说的话' (I believe what he says). It does not carry the financial or deep moral weight of 信用. It is simply the act of believing. 信用, on the other hand, is the underlying quality that makes someone believable or reliable in the long term. You 相信 (believe) someone because they have good 信用 (trustworthiness).

他值得信任。 (He is worthy of trust.)

这家百年老店有着极高的信誉。 (This century-old shop has a very high reputation.)

我完全相信你的能力。 (I completely believe in your abilities.)

因为他有良好的信用，所以我信任他。 (Because he has good trustworthiness, therefore I trust him.)

失去信誉的企业很难生存。 (An enterprise that loses its reputation is hard to survive.)

Navigating these similar words requires a nuanced understanding of context. While a dictionary might list them all as synonyms for 'trust' or 'credit', their practical applications are distinct. By studying the examples provided and paying close attention to how native speakers select these words based on the subject (individual vs. company) and the context (emotional vs. financial), learners can significantly elevate their vocabulary precision. This mastery not only prevents confusing errors but also allows for more articulate and sophisticated expression of complex social and business concepts in Chinese.

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

我有一张信用卡。

I have a credit card.

信用卡 (credit card) is the most common A1 usage.

2

你可以用信用卡吗？

Can you use a credit card?

用 (to use) + 信用卡.

3

这是我的信用卡。

This is my credit card.

Simple possession with 的.

4

信用卡在哪里？

Where is the credit card?

Question word 哪里.

5

我没有信用卡。

I don't have a credit card.

Negation with 没有.

6

刷信用卡可以吗？

Is it okay to swipe a credit card?

刷 (to swipe) is the verb for using a card.

7

他用信用卡买书。

He uses a credit card to buy books.

用...买 (use... to buy).

8

信用卡很方便。

Credit cards are very convenient.

Adjective description with 很.

1

他是一个讲信用的人。

He is a trustworthy person.

讲信用 (keep one's word) used as an adjective phrase with 的.

2

我们必须讲信用。

We must keep our word.

必须 (must) + 讲信用.

3

他不讲信用。

He does not keep his word.

Negation of the verb phrase with 不.

4

做生意要讲信用。

Doing business requires trustworthiness.

要 (need to/must) in a general statement.

5

你的信用很好。

Your credit/trustworthiness is very good.

信用 as a subject.

6

他失去了信用。

He lost his credit/trustworthiness.

失去 (to lose) + 信用.

7

请保持你的信用。

Please maintain your trustworthiness.

保持 (to maintain) + 信用.

8

信用很重要。

Trustworthiness is very important.

Simple adjective predicate.

1

银行会检查你的信用记录。

The bank will check your credit record.

Compound noun: 信用记录 (credit record).

2

因为他守信用，大家都喜欢他。

Because he keeps his promises, everyone likes him.

守信用 (to guard one's credit/promises).

3

这家公司的信用评级很高。

This company's credit rating is very high.

Compound noun: 信用评级 (credit rating).

4

没有信用，就借不到钱。

Without credit, you cannot borrow money.

Conditional structure with 没有...就...

5

建立良好的信用需要时间。

Building good credit takes time.

建立 (to build/establish) + 信用.

6

他破坏了自己的信用。

He ruined his own credit.

破坏 (to destroy/ruin) + 信用.

7

社会需要信用体系。

Society needs a credit system.

Compound noun: 信用体系 (credit system).

8

个人信用贷款很受欢迎。

Personal credit loans are very popular.

Compound noun: 信用贷款 (credit loan).

1

在现代社会，信用被视为一种无形的资产。

In modern society, credit is viewed as an intangible asset.

Passive voice 被视为 (is viewed as).

2

逾期还款会严重影响你的个人信用评分。

Overdue payments will seriously affect your personal credit score.

影响 (to affect) + 信用评分 (credit score).

3

芝麻信用分高的人可以享受免押金服务。

People with a high Sesame Credit score can enjoy deposit-free services.

Complex subject modifying 人.

4

企业一旦出现信用危机，很难恢复元气。

Once an enterprise experiences a credit crisis, it is hard to recover.

一旦...就... (once... then...) structure.

5

政府正在大力推进社会信用体系建设。

The government is vigorously promoting the construction of the social credit system.

Formal vocabulary: 推进 (promote), 建设 (construction).

6

良好的商业信用是企业长远发展的基石。

Good commercial credit is the cornerstone of an enterprise's long-term development.

Metaphorical usage: 基石 (cornerstone).

7

他因为信用卡透支过多而面临信用破产。

He faces credit bankruptcy due to excessive credit card overdrafts.

面临 (to face) + 信用破产 (credit bankruptcy).

8

人无信不立，信用是做人的根本。

A person cannot stand without trust; trustworthiness is the foundation of being human.

Integration of classical idiom (人无信不立).

1

在缺乏完善征信机制的市场中，信用溢价往往极高。

In a market lacking a perfect credit reporting mechanism, the credit premium is often extremely high.

Advanced financial terminology: 征信机制, 信用溢价.

2

该国主权信用评级的下调引发了资本市场的剧烈动荡。

The downgrade of the country's sovereign credit rating triggered severe turbulence in the capital market.

Macroeconomic context: 主权信用评级 (sovereign credit rating).

3

信用衍生品虽然能分散风险，但也可能掩盖底层的违约危机。

Although credit derivatives can disperse risk, they may also conceal underlying default crises.

Specialized vocabulary: 信用衍生品 (credit derivatives).

4

传统熟人社会的信用逻辑正在被数字化的算法信用所取代。

The credit logic of the traditional acquaintance society is being replaced by digitized algorithmic credit.

Sociological analysis phrasing.

5

不可抗力条款的触发并不意味着企业可以随意透支其商业信用。

The triggering of force majeure clauses does not mean enterprises can arbitrarily overdraw their commercial credit.

Legal and formal business register.

6

在博弈论中，重复博弈是促使参与者维持信用的重要机制。

In game theory, repeated games are an important mechanism prompting participants to maintain credit/trust.

Academic context: 博弈论 (game theory).

7

过度依赖信用扩张来刺激经济，无异于饮鸩止渴。

Over-relying on credit expansion to stimulate the economy is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst.

Use of advanced idiom: 饮鸩止渴.

8

构建以信用为核心的新型市场监管机制，是深化改革的必然要求。

Building a new market supervision mechanism with credit at its core is an inevitable requirement for deepening reforms.

Political and administrative rhetoric.

1

信用货币的本质，是国家机器以其强制力为担保的债务凭证。

The essence of fiat (credit) money is a debt instrument guaranteed by the coercive power of the state apparatus.

Deep economic theory: 信用货币 (fiat/credit money).

2

儒家所倡导的‘信’，在现代转化为契约精神与信用制度的交汇点。

The 'trust' advocated by Confucianism transforms in modern times into the intersection of contract spirit and the credit system.

Philosophical and historical synthesis.

3

当信用从道德约束异化为全景敞视的规训工具时，个体的边界便面临消解。

When credit alienates from moral constraint into a panoptic disciplinary tool, the boundaries of the individual face dissolution.

Advanced sociological/Foucauldian critique.

4

次贷危机的爆发，戳破了建立在虚假信用评级之上的繁荣泡沫。

The outbreak of the subprime mortgage crisis punctured the prosperity bubble built on false credit ratings.

Historical economic analysis.

5

在去中心化的区块链网络中，算法共识试图重构人类社会的信用基石。

In decentralized blockchain networks, algorithmic consensus attempts to reconstruct the credit cornerstone of human society.

Technological and futuristic discourse.

6

信用的崩塌往往始于微末，犹如千里之堤溃于蚁穴。

The collapse of credit often begins with the trivial, just as a thousand-mile dam collapses from an ant hole.

Literary metaphor and idiom integration.

7

跨国企业在进行全球化布局时，必须审慎评估东道国的信用环境与政治风险。

When multinational enterprises make global layouts, they must prudently assess the host country's credit environment and political risks.

Advanced international business strategy.

8

信用不仅是经济运行的润滑剂，更是维系社会结构不致解体的深层黏合剂。

Credit is not only the lubricant of economic operation but also the deep adhesive that keeps the social structure from disintegrating.

Sophisticated dual metaphor (润滑剂, 黏合剂).

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