En 15 secondes
- Refers to the process of calculating a fee or billing.
- Commonly used for taxis, shared bikes, and timed services.
- Often paired with 'by the hour' or 'by distance'.
- Essential for navigating China's digital sharing economy.
Signification
This phrase refers to the process of calculating a price or fee, usually based on time, distance, or usage. It is what happens when a taxi meter is running or a parking garage tracks your stay.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Asking a taxi driver
师傅，请问是怎么计费的？
Master, may I ask how the fare is calculated?
Renting a shared power bank
这个充电宝按小时计费。
This power bank is charged by the hour.
Professional business meeting
我们的云服务是按流量计费的。
Our cloud service is billed based on data usage.
Contexte culturel
The term has exploded in popularity with the rise of China's 'Sharing Economy' (共享经济). It transitioned from a formal accounting term to an everyday word used for shared bikes, power banks, and electric vehicle charging stations. It reflects the high level of digitalization in Chinese daily life where almost every service is metered via a smartphone app.
The 'By' Pattern
Always use the pattern '按 [Unit] 计费'. For example, `按分钟计费` (by the minute) or `按次计费` (per use).
Don't use it for shopping
If you are at a clothing store, don't ask for the `计费`. Just ask `多少钱` (How much?). `计费` implies a process over time.
En 15 secondes
- Refers to the process of calculating a fee or billing.
- Commonly used for taxis, shared bikes, and timed services.
- Often paired with 'by the hour' or 'by distance'.
- Essential for navigating China's digital sharing economy.
What It Means
计费 is a very practical term. It literally means 'counting the cost.' You will see it everywhere in modern China. It refers to the system or act of determining how much you owe. It is not just about the final price. It is about the mechanism used to get there. Think of it as the 'billing' or 'metering' process.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb or a noun. You can say a service is 计费 by the hour. You can ask how a shop is 开始计费 (starting to charge). It is often followed by the method of charging. For example, 按小时计费 means 'charging by the hour.' It sounds a bit more technical than just saying 'how much.' It implies a system is in place. Use it when you want to sound clear and informed.
When To Use It
Use it when dealing with services. This includes taxis, shared bikes, and internet cafes. It is perfect for business meetings about service costs. Use it when checking into a hotel with hourly rates. It is also common in tech contexts like cloud computing. If there is a timer or a meter involved, this is your word. It is the language of the 'sharing economy' in China.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for fixed prices. If you buy an apple, you do not 计费. You just pay. Do not use it for a simple dinner bill with friends. That is 买单. It feels too robotic for a casual gift or a one-time purchase. Avoid it in highly emotional settings. You would not 'calculate the fee' for a favor from a friend. That would be a very quick way to lose that friend!
Cultural Background
China is the king of shared services. From power banks to umbrellas, everything is metered. Because of this, 计费 has moved from dusty accounting books to everyone's phone. It represents the shift to a digital, pay-as-you-go lifestyle. In the past, this was a formal business term. Now, even a teenager renting a scooter uses it. It reflects a society that values efficiency and precise measurement.
Common Variations
You will often see 计费标准 (billing standard). This is the list of prices you see on a wall. There is also 计费周期 (billing cycle) for your phone bill. If a service is free, they might say 停止计费 (stop charging). Another common one is 自动计费 (automatic billing). This happens a lot with apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay. It is the magic—or the curse—of modern convenience!
Notes d'usage
The phrase is highly versatile across all levels of formality. The main 'gotcha' is using it for simple, fixed-price purchases where it sounds overly mechanical. Stick to services with a duration or usage metric.
The 'By' Pattern
Always use the pattern '按 [Unit] 计费'. For example, `按分钟计费` (by the minute) or `按次计费` (per use).
Don't use it for shopping
If you are at a clothing store, don't ask for the `计费`. Just ask `多少钱` (How much?). `计费` implies a process over time.
The 'Master' Connection
When asking a taxi driver about `计费`, always start with `师傅` (Shīfu). It makes you sound like a local and might even get you a better route!
Exemples
6师傅，请问是怎么计费的？
Master, may I ask how the fare is calculated?
A polite way to ask for the rate before starting a trip.
这个充电宝按小时计费。
This power bank is charged by the hour.
Explaining the billing method to a friend.
我们的云服务是按流量计费的。
Our cloud service is billed based on data usage.
Using the term in a technical business context.
这边的停车场计费很贵，别停这儿。
The billing at this parking lot is expensive, don't park here.
Warning a friend about high rates.
跟他聊天，我感觉他在按分钟计费。
Talking to him, I feel like he's charging me by the minute.
Joking that someone is being too transactional or brief.
我的手机流量好像计费错误了。
It seems there's a billing error with my mobile data.
Expressing worry over a potential mistake.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about a shared bike.
共享单车通常是按时间___的。
Shared bikes use a system to calculate fees based on time, which is `计费`.
Complete the phrase for 'Billing Standard'.
请看墙上的___标准。
`计费标准` is the standard collocation for a price list of metered services.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of '计费'
Talking about a shared bike with friends.
这车怎么计费？
Asking a service provider about rates.
请问计费标准是什么？
A company's official billing policy.
本系统将自动进行计费。
Where you will see '计费'
Taxi Ride
Meter starts running
Internet Cafe
Pay per hour
Parking Garage
Time-based fee
Cloud Storage
Pay as you go
Banque d exercices
2 exercices共享单车通常是按时间___的。
Shared bikes use a system to calculate fees based on time, which is `计费`.
请看墙上的___标准。
`计费标准` is the standard collocation for a price list of metered services.
🎉 Score : /2
Questions fréquentes
10 questions计费 is the process of calculating the fee, while 收费 is the act of collecting the money. For example, a meter 计费, but the driver 收费.
Generally, no. For a restaurant, you use 结账 or 买单. Use 计费 only if it's a buffet that charges by the hour.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends when talking about apps, or in a formal business contract regarding service rates.
You can say 什么时候开始计费？ This is common for things like consultations or equipment rentals.
Not at all. It just describes the method. However, if someone says 计费很贵, then they are complaining about the rate.
Yes, utilities like water and electricity are perfect examples of 计费 because they are metered.
It means 'billing system.' You'll hear this in office settings or when an app is having technical issues.
Not exactly, but in gaming, people might say 烧钱 (burning money) to describe a very fast 计费 process.
Yes, for professionals like lawyers or consultants, you can say they 按小时计费 (charge by the hour).
It's the 'billing unit,' such as per minute, per kilometer, or per gigabyte.
Expressions liées
收费
To collect a fee
买单
To pay the bill (casual)
免费
Free of charge
价格
Price
结账
To settle the account
