B1 noun #2,500 am häufigsten 6 Min. Lesezeit

开销

kāixiāo
At the A1 level, you don't need to use '开销' (kāixiāo) often, but you might hear it. Think of it as 'spending money.' At this stage, you usually learn '花钱' (huā qián - to spend money). '开销' is the noun version. If you are talking about your life in China, you might say 'My spending is big' (我的开销很大). It is a way to talk about all the money that goes out of your wallet for food, water, and fun. It's like saying 'costs.' Even at A1, knowing this word helps you understand when people talk about why things are expensive in big cities like Shanghai or Beijing. Just remember: 开 (open) + 销 (spend). You open your wallet and the money melts away!
At the A2 level, you are starting to talk about your daily routine and your needs. '开销' (kāixiāo) becomes useful when you describe your monthly budget. You can use it to talk about 'daily expenses' (日常开销). For example, 'My daily expenses are not many' (我的日常开销不多). You might also hear it when people talk about traveling. If you go to a restaurant, the money you pay is a '费用' (fee), but all the money you spend on your whole trip is your '开销'. It's a collective word. It helps you group all your small spending into one big category. You can use verbs like '有' (have) or '多' (many) with it. It's a step up from just saying 'I buy things.'
At the B1 level, you should be able to use '开销' (kāixiāo) comfortably in conversations about lifestyle, work, and planning. This is the level where you start to manage your life in Chinese. You will use it to discuss 'reducing expenses' (减少开销) or 'saving on expenses' (节省开销). It's a key word for adult responsibilities. For instance, you might explain that you moved to a smaller apartment to 'cut down on living expenses' (缩减生活开销). You will also notice it in more complex sentences, acting as the subject or object. It's less about the act of buying and more about the *concept* of expenditure. You should also distinguish it from '支出' (formal expenditure) and '费用' (specific fees).
At the B2 level, '开销' (kāixiāo) is used in more nuanced discussions about business, social trends, and personal finance. You might discuss how the 'rising cost of living' (生活开销增加) affects the younger generation's willingness to have children. In a business context, you might talk about 'operating expenses' (经营开销) or 'unforeseen expenditures' (额外开销). You should be able to use it with more sophisticated verbs like '负担' (to bear/afford) or '抵消' (to offset). You'll also encounter it in written articles about urban development or economic shifts. At this level, you understand that '开销' has a slightly more grounded, real-world feel than the purely technical '支出'.
At the C1 level, you recognize the stylistic choice of using '开销' (kāixiāo) over its synonyms. You understand its use in literature or high-level journalism to ground a story in financial reality. You might use it in a debate about government policy, arguing that 'the public's daily expenses' (民众的日常开销) are a better measure of economic health than GDP alone. You are also aware of its historical nuances—how '销' relates to 'canceling' or 'settling' accounts. You can use it metaphorically or in idiomatic structures. Your collocations are precise: '庞大的开销' (huge expenses), '必要的开销' (necessary expenditures), or '挥霍无度的开销' (extravagant spending).
At the C2 level, your mastery of '开销' (kāixiāo) is total. You can use it with perfect register, knowing exactly when to use it in a speech to sound relatable yet professional. You might explore the word's etymology in a linguistic discussion or use it in a complex financial analysis where you contrast 'discretionary spending' with 'fixed开销'. You understand how the word functions in various Chinese dialects where it might still retain its verbal sense of 'to pay out' or 'to settle up.' You can weave it into sophisticated narratives about the socioeconomic landscape of modern China, using it to highlight the tension between consumerism and traditional thriftiness.

开销 in 30 Sekunden

  • 开销 refers to general expenses or spending in daily life.
  • It is a noun, often paired with '大' (large) or '小' (small).
  • Commonly used for household budgets, travel, and business overhead.
  • More informal than '支出' (expenditure) but more formal than '花钱'.

The term 开销 (kāixiāo) is a versatile noun in Mandarin Chinese that primarily translates to 'expenses,' 'expenditure,' or 'spending.' At its core, it refers to the money one must pay out for various needs, whether they are personal, household, or business-related. Unlike more formal economic terms like 支出 (zhīchū), 开销 carries a slightly more colloquial and practical flavor, often heard in discussions about daily life, budgeting, and managing one's lifestyle.

Etymological Roots
The character 开 (kāi) means 'to open,' and 销 (xiāo) means 'to melt,' 'to cancel,' or 'to consume.' Historically, it suggested the 'opening' of an account to 'consume' or 'clear' funds. In modern usage, it signifies the act of letting money flow out of your pocket to cover costs.
Semantic Range
It covers everything from small daily purchases (like coffee or bus fare) to significant monthly obligations (like rent or tuition). It is frequently used to describe the 'overhead' of living or running an operation.

“最近的生活开销实在太大了,我得省着点花。” (Lately, living expenses have been really high; I need to spend more carefully.)

— A common sentiment in urban China

In a broader sense, 开销 can also be used as a verb in some dialects or older contexts meaning 'to pay' or 'to dismiss,' but in standard modern Mandarin (Putonghua), its role as a noun for 'expenditure' is dominant. Understanding this word is crucial for B1 learners because it bridges the gap between basic 'buying things' (买东西) and more complex financial management. It allows you to discuss the *cost of living* rather than just the *price of an item*.

Common Pairings:
  • 日常开销 (Daily expenses)
  • 家庭开销 (Family expenses)
  • 额外开销 (Extra/Unexpected expenses)
  • 缩减开销 (To cut down on expenses)

Using 开销 correctly requires understanding its typical collocations and the verbs that usually precede it. It is most commonly the object of verbs related to management, reduction, or observation. Because it refers to a collective amount of money spent over time, you rarely use it for a single, specific transaction like buying a single apple.

Verbal Collocations
  • 增加 (zēngjiā) + 开销: To increase expenses. (e.g., Having a baby increases expenses.)
  • 节省 (jiéshěng) + 开销: To save on/reduce expenses. (e.g., Taking the bus saves on expenses.)
  • 负担 (fùdān) + 开销: To bear/afford the expenses. (e.g., My salary can't afford these expenses.)

“为了供孩子上学,他们家每月的开销都非常紧张。” (To support their child's education, their family's monthly expenses are very tight.)

When describing the *size* of the expenditure, use adjectives like 大 (dà - big) or 小 (xiǎo - small). For example, '开销很大' (expenses are large/high). You wouldn't typically say '开销很贵' (expenses are expensive) because '贵' describes the price of an object, while '大' describes the volume of the spending.

In professional settings, you might hear '公司开销' (company overhead). If you are a freelancer, you might talk about your '业务开销' (business expenses). The word is flexible enough to transition from the kitchen table to the office meeting room without sounding out of place.

You will encounter 开销 in several distinct environments, each providing a different context for the flow of money. Understanding these contexts helps you grasp the social weight of the word.

1. Domestic & Family Life
This is the most common setting. Parents discussing the monthly budget, couples planning for a wedding, or students managing their allowance. It often carries a tone of responsibility or sometimes stress.
Example: '这房租占了我们一半的开销。' (This rent takes up half our expenses.)
2. Travel and Leisure
When planning a trip, people often talk about '旅行开销' (travel expenses). This includes flights, hotels, and food.
Example: '去欧洲旅游的开销可不小。' (The expense of traveling to Europe is not small.)

“在大城市生活,交通和餐饮是两笔不小的开销。” (Living in a big city, transportation and dining are two significant expenses.)

In Chinese media, especially in 'slice of life' TV dramas (生活剧), characters often argue about household 开销. It is a relatable pain point for the audience. You might also see it in news articles discussing the 'cost of living index' or 'rising expenditures' for the middle class.

Learners often confuse 开销 with other 'money' words. Here are the most frequent pitfalls to avoid:

  • Mistake 1: Confusing with 费用 (fèiyòng)

    '费用' usually refers to a specific fee or charge for a service (like a tuition fee 学费 or medical fee 医疗费). '开销' is more general and refers to the total spending or the act of spending over a period. You pay a '费用', but you manage your '开销'.

  • Mistake 2: Confusing with 价格 (jiàgé)

    '价格' is the price tag on an item. You cannot say '这个苹果的开销是多少' (What is the expense of this apple?). You should say '这个苹果的价格是多少'. Use '开销' for the total sum of your grocery shopping.

  • Mistake 3: Using '贵' (guì) to describe it

    As mentioned before, '开销' is '大' (large) or '多' (much), not '贵' (expensive). Saying '开销很贵' is a common anglicism (translating 'expenses are expensive').

Correct vs. Incorrect:

我的开销很贵。 (My expenses are expensive.)
我的开销很大。 (My expenses are large/high.)

Another subtle mistake is using it in highly formal legal documents where 支出 (zhīchū) or 经费 (jīngfèi) would be more appropriate. 开销 is slightly too 'homely' for a government budget report.

To truly master 开销, you must see where it sits in the family of financial vocabulary. Here is a breakdown of its 'cousins':

1. 支出 (zhīchū) - Expenditure/Outlay
The formal, academic, and accounting version of 开销. It is the opposite of 收入 (shōurù - income). You see this in bank statements and economic news.
2. 花费 (huāfèi) - Cost/Spend
Can be both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it's very close to 开销. As a verb, it means 'to spend' (time or money). 开销 is almost exclusively a noun in modern usage.
3. 费用 (fèiyòng) - Fee/Cost
Refers to specific costs for specific services. For example, 维修费用 (maintenance fee).
4. 消费 (xiāofèi) - Consumption
Refers to the act of consuming goods and services. It's a broader economic term. 'Consumer' is 消费者.
Nuance Comparison:
WordToneBest Context
开销Informal/NeutralDaily life, budgeting
支出FormalAccounting, Business
花费NeutralGeneral spending

In summary, use 开销 when you want to sound like a native speaker discussing the practical realities of money management in everyday life.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

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Informell

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Umgangssprache

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Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

我的开销很大。

My expenses are very large.

Subject + 开销 + Adjective (大/小).

2

每个月的开销是多少?

How much are the monthly expenses?

Using '多少' to ask for an amount.

3

我没有很多开销。

I don't have many expenses.

Negation with '没有'.

4

买衣服是我的开销。

Buying clothes is my expense.

Verb phrase as a definition of the noun.

5

这里的开销小。

The expenses here are small.

Describing a location's cost of living.

6

吃饭的开销不多。

The expense for eating is not much.

Noun phrase + 的 + 开销.

7

他的开销很少。

His expenses are very few.

Possessive '他的' + 开销.

8

这是我的日常开销。

This is my daily expense.

Compound noun '日常开销'.

1

我要减少我的开销。

I need to reduce my expenses.

Verb '减少' + Object '开销'.

2

旅行的开销很高吗?

Are travel expenses high?

Asking a question with '吗'.

3

家庭开销由爸爸负责。

Father is responsible for family expenses.

Structure '由...负责' (responsible by...).

4

这些开销是必要的。

These expenses are necessary.

Adjective '必要的' modifying the noun.

5

每个月他都有固定开销。

He has fixed expenses every month.

Compound noun '固定开销' (fixed expenses).

6

学生开销通常比较小。

Student expenses are usually relatively small.

Adverb '通常' (usually) and '比较' (relatively).

7

你计算过你的开销吗?

Have you calculated your expenses?

Verb '计算' (calculate) + aspect marker '过'.

8

这笔开销太突然了。

This expense was too sudden.

Measure word '笔' for sums of money.

1

为了省钱,他缩减了不必要的开销。

To save money, he cut down on unnecessary expenses.

Using '为了' to show purpose.

2

大城市的开销让年轻人感到压力。

Expenses in big cities make young people feel stressed.

Subject (开销) + 让 (make) + Person + Verb.

3

这笔额外的开销不在我的预算内。

This extra expense is not in my budget.

Phrase '在...内' (within...).

4

养一辆车的开销其实挺大的。

The expense of keeping a car is actually quite large.

Gerund-like phrase '养一辆车' as a modifier.

5

我们需要合理安排每月的开销。

We need to reasonably arrange monthly expenses.

Adverb '合理' (reasonably) + Verb '安排' (arrange).

6

这种奢侈的生活开销他负担不起。

He cannot afford this kind of luxurious living expense.

Potential complement '负担不起' (cannot afford).

7

除了房租,他没有别的开销。

Besides rent, he has no other expenses.

Structure '除了...没有别的' (besides... have no other).

8

公司的日常开销由财务部管理。

The company's daily expenses are managed by the finance department.

Passive-like structure with '由'.

1

随着物价上涨,家庭开销也随之增加。

As prices rise, family expenses increase accordingly.

Structure '随着...也随之...' (along with... also...).

2

他正在寻找抵消额外开销的方法。

He is looking for ways to offset extra expenses.

Verb '抵消' (offset/counteract).

3

这笔开销被列入了明年的计划中。

This expense has been included in next year's plan.

Passive marker '被' and '列入' (included in).

4

创业初期的开销往往超乎想象。

Expenses in the early stages of starting a business are often beyond imagination.

Phrase '超乎想象' (beyond imagination).

5

缩减开销是公司目前的首要任务。

Cutting expenses is the company's current top priority.

Noun phrase '首要任务' (top priority).

6

他详细记录了每一笔开销的去向。

He recorded the destination of every single expense in detail.

Adverb '详细' (detailed) + '去向' (whereabouts/destination).

7

尽管开销很大,但他认为这笔投资是值得的。

Despite the large expense, he believes this investment is worth it.

Conjunction '尽管...但...' (despite... but...).

8

教育开销在家庭总支出中占了很大比例。

Education expenses account for a large proportion of total family expenditure.

Verb '占' (occupy/account for) + '比例' (proportion).

1

为了维持体面的生活,他的开销一直居高不下。

To maintain a decent life, his expenses have remained high.

Idiom-like phrase '居高不下' (remain high).

2

这笔开销的合法性遭到了审计部门的质疑。

The legitimacy of this expenditure was questioned by the audit department.

Verb '遭到' (suffer/meet with) + '质疑' (questioning).

3

在宏观经济波动的背景下,缩减非必要开销显得尤为重要。

In the context of macroeconomic fluctuations, cutting non-essential expenses appears particularly important.

Phrase '在...背景下' and '显得尤为' (appears especially).

4

他这种挥霍无度的开销方式迟早会让他破产。

His extravagant way of spending will lead him to bankruptcy sooner or later.

Idiom '挥霍无度' (extravagant/wasteful).

5

政府试图通过补贴来减轻民众的医疗开销负担。

The government is trying to reduce the burden of medical expenses on the public through subsidies.

Verb '减轻' (lighten/reduce) + '负担' (burden).

6

这笔开销虽然庞大,但从长远来看是具有战略意义的。

Although this expense is huge, it is strategically significant in the long run.

Phrase '从长远来看' (from a long-term perspective).

7

他总是能巧妙地避开那些不必要的社交开销。

He is always able to skillfully avoid those unnecessary social expenses.

Adverb '巧妙地' (skillfully) + '避开' (avoid).

8

由于缺乏监管,项目的开销一度失去了控制。

Due to a lack of supervision, the project's expenses once lost control.

Phrase '由于...失去了控制' (due to... lost control).

1

其开销之巨,令即便是一流的企业也感到难以为继。

The magnitude of its expenses is such that even top-tier companies find it difficult to sustain.

Classical-style structure '...之巨' (the greatness of...).

2

这种隐性开销往往隐藏在复杂的财务报表深处。

This kind of hidden expense is often concealed deep within complex financial statements.

Compound '隐性开销' (hidden/implicit expenses).

3

他深谙如何通过优化流程来摊薄固定开销。

He is well-versed in how to dilute fixed expenses by optimizing processes.

Verb '摊薄' (dilute/spread thin) and '深谙' (be well-versed in).

4

在那个动荡的年代,维持生计的开销成了沉重的枷锁。

In those turbulent years, the expense of making a living became a heavy shackle.

Metaphor '沉重的枷锁' (heavy shackle).

5

该政策的实施,旨在遏制行政开销的无序扩张。

The implementation of this policy aims to curb the disorderly expansion of administrative expenses.

Verb '遏制' (curb/restrain) and '无序扩张' (disorderly expansion).

6

尽管账面上显示开销不菲,但其实际产出更具价值。

Although the books show significant expenses, the actual output is even more valuable.

Adjective '不菲' (not cheap/significant).

7

对开销的精准把控,体现了一个管理者的核心素养。

Precise control over expenses reflects the core quality of a manager.

Noun phrase '精准把控' (precise control).

8

在消费主义盛行的今天,反思不合理的开销显得尤为必要。

In today's era of rampant consumerism, reflecting on unreasonable expenses seems particularly necessary.

Structure '...盛行的今天' (today when ... is prevalent).

Häufige Kollokationen

日常开销
家庭开销
额外开销
开销很大
缩减开销
节省开销
固定开销
必要的开销
庞大的开销
教育开销

Häufige Phrasen

开销不小

生活开销

旅行开销

一笔开销

控制开销

增加开销

减少开销

报销开销

个人开销

公司开销

Wird oft verwechselt mit

开销 vs 费用 (Specific fees)

开销 vs 支出 (Formal expenditure)

开销 vs 花费 (Verb/Noun for spending)

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Leicht verwechselbar

开销 vs

开销 vs

开销 vs

开销 vs

开销 vs

Satzmuster

So verwendest du es

scope

It covers both necessary and discretionary spending.

informality

It is less formal than 支出.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using '贵' instead of '大'.
  • Confusing with '报销' (reimbursement).
  • Using it for a single item's price.
  • Using it as a verb in formal writing.
  • Mispronouncing the tones.

Tipps

Use with '笔'

Always use '笔' (bǐ) as the measure word for a specific sum of '开销'.

Adjective Choice

Pair with '大/小' or '高/低', never '贵/便宜'.

Face and Spending

In China, 'social expenses' (社交开销) like gifts are often non-negotiable.

Daily Life

Use it when talking about your budget with friends or family.

Business Context

Use it for 'overhead' or 'petty cash' discussions.

Formal Writing

Switch to '支出' if you are writing a formal report.

Tone Check

Both characters are first tone; keep your voice high and level.

Mnemonic

Open (开) the account to cancel (销) the debt.

Related Idiom

Learn '入不敷出' to describe when '开销' is bigger than '收入'.

Synonym Tip

Use '花费' if you want a word that can also be a verb.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Originally meant to open an account and clear the balance.

Kultureller Kontext

Many Chinese families use apps like Alipay or WeChat Pay to track their '开销'.

The '开销' of weddings and funerals can be a major social burden in rural China.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"你觉得在大城市生活,最大的开销是什么?"

"你有什么节省日常开销的好办法吗?"

"旅行的时候,你通常在哪方面的开销最大?"

"你每个月的固定开销大概是多少?"

"你会用手机软件记录自己的开销吗?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

记录你今天的所有开销,并分析哪些是不必要的。

写一写你理想中的生活开销分配比例。

谈谈你对‘开源节流’这个词的理解。

描述一次让你感到意外的巨大开销。

如果你突然有了一笔额外收入,你会如何增加你的开销?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

In modern Mandarin, it is almost always used as a noun meaning 'expenses.' Historically it could be a verb, but that is rare now.

No, you should say '开销很大' or '开销很高.' '贵' describes the price of an object, not the amount of expenditure.

支出 is formal and used in accounting/economics. 开销 is more common in daily life and conversation.

You say '日常开销' (rìcháng kāixiāo).

The most common measure word is '笔' (bǐ), as in '一笔开销'.

Yes, it can refer to company overhead or operating expenses.

Yes, rent is considered a major '开销' for most people.

It is neutral, but often used in contexts where people are trying to reduce it.

It is '额外开销' (éwài kāixiāo).

You can say '负担开销' (fùdān kāixiāo).

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