At the A1 level, you just need to know that '利息' (lìxī) means 'interest money' from a bank. Think of it as 'extra money' you get for saving or 'extra money' you pay for borrowing. You can use it in simple sentences like '我有利息' (I have interest) or '利息很多' (There is a lot of interest). Focus on the fact that it is related to banks and money. It is a noun, so you can put 'my' (我的) or 'bank's' (银行的) before it. Don't worry about complex rates or percentages yet, just remember it as the cost or reward of using money. This is an essential word if you want to talk about your bank account or buying things on credit in a very basic way.
At the A2 level, you should be able to use '利息' with common verbs like '给' (gěi - to give) or '要' (yào - to want/require). For example, '银行给我利息' (The bank gives me interest). You can also describe the interest using simple adjectives like '高' (gāo - high) and '低' (dī - low). You might start to see it in the context of '存款' (cúnkuǎn - savings) and '贷款' (dàikuǎn - loans). It's important to understand that '利息' is the money itself. If you go to a bank in China, you might hear a teller say '利息不高' (The interest isn't high), and you should understand they are talking about the return on your savings.
At the B1 level, you should distinguish between '利息' (interest amount) and '利率' (interest rate). You should be able to discuss financial topics more naturally, using phrases like '计算利息' (calculate interest) or '支付利息' (pay interest). You will encounter this word in more complex sentences involving time periods, such as '每年的利息' (annual interest). You should also be familiar with the measure word '笔' (bǐ) used for sums of money, as in '这一笔利息' (this sum of interest). This is the level where you start to understand the role of interest in personal budgeting and simple investment products like '余额宝' (Yu'ebao).
At the B2 level, you can use '利息' in formal and professional contexts. You should understand terms like '逾期利息' (overdue interest), '免息' (interest-free), and '复利' (compound interest). You should be able to read a basic bank statement or a loan agreement and identify the interest components. You can also discuss the impact of interest on the economy, such as how '降息' (lowering interest rates) affects consumer spending. Your usage should be precise, avoiding confusion with '利润' (profit) or '收益' (returns). You should also be comfortable using the word in passive constructions or as part of compound nouns like '利息支出' (interest expense).
At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of '利息' in legal and high-finance contexts. This includes understanding the nuances of '孳息' (accrued interest/yield) in legal contracts and the difference between '名义利息' (nominal interest) and '实际利息' (real interest). You should be able to debate the ethics of '高利贷' (high-interest loans) or the macroeconomic implications of central bank policies on '利息' levels. Your vocabulary should include related idioms and formal expressions. You can explain the mathematical derivation of interest in Chinese and understand the subtle differences in tone between '利息', '息金', and '利钱'.
At the C2 level, you are expected to use '利息' with the precision of a native professional. You can analyze complex financial instruments where '利息' is just one component of the cash flow. You understand historical references to interest in Chinese literature and how the concept has evolved in Chinese economic thought. You can navigate highly technical discussions about '利息互换' (interest rate swaps) or '贴息贷款' (subsidized interest loans). Your mastery includes the ability to use the word in any register, from highly academic papers to casual street slang, with perfect grammatical accuracy and cultural appropriateness.

利息 30초 만에

  • 利息 is the money earned from savings or paid for loans. It is a noun representing a specific monetary amount rather than a percentage.
  • Commonly used in banking, personal finance, and economic news. It is essential for anyone managing money or interacting with financial institutions in China.
  • Must be distinguished from 利率 (interest rate). You pay 利息 based on the 利率. Confusing these two is a very common beginner mistake.
  • Used with verbs like 支付 (pay), 赚取 (earn), and 产生 (generate). It is often paired with 本金 (principal) to form the term '本息'.

The term 利息 (lìxī) is a fundamental concept in both personal finance and macroeconomics, specifically referring to the money paid regularly at a particular rate for the use of money lent, or for delaying the repayment of a debt. In the context of a bank account, it is the money the bank pays you for keeping your money with them. For a borrower, it is the additional cost of a loan. Understanding this word is essential for navigating daily life in China, from opening a bank account to understanding mortgage agreements or credit card statements.

Etymological Breakdown
The first character, 利 (lì), historically refers to 'profit' or 'benefit,' often depicted as a knife harvesting grain, symbolizing the gain from labor. The second character, 息 (xī), means 'to breathe' or 'to rest,' but in a financial sense, it refers to the 'offspring' or 'growth' of capital—much like how living things breathe and grow over time. Together, they form the concept of the 'growth of profit' or interest.
Banking and Savings
When you deposit money into a Chinese bank, such as the ICBC or Bank of China, you are effectively lending the bank your money. In return, they provide you with cúnkuǎn lìxī (deposit interest). This is a primary motivator for the high savings rate historically seen in Chinese culture.
Loans and Mortgages
Conversely, when you take out a dàikuǎn (loan), you must pay dàikuǎn lìxī (loan interest). Whether it is for a car, a home, or a business venture, the interest rate (利率 lìlǜ) determines how much extra you will pay over the principal amount (本金 běnjīn).

把钱存在银行里可以赚取利息。(Bǎ qián cúnzài yínháng lǐ kěyǐ zhuànqǔ lìxī.)

— Translation: Keeping money in the bank can earn interest.

这笔贷款的利息非常高。(Zhè bǐ dàikuǎn de lìxī fēicháng gāo.)

— Translation: The interest on this loan is very high.

Beyond the bank, you might encounter this word in social situations involving informal lending between friends or family, though in many close relationships, charging interest is seen as inappropriate or 'too clinical.' However, in professional or formal peer-to-peer lending platforms, which have seen a surge in China, the calculation of interest is a critical point of negotiation. Understanding the difference between 'simple interest' (单利 dānlì) and 'compound interest' (复利 fùlì) is also a part of being financially literate in a Chinese-speaking environment.

我们需要计算一下每月的利息支出。(Wǒmen xūyào jìsuàn yīxià měiyuè de lìxī zhīchū.)

— Translation: We need to calculate the monthly interest expenditure.

银行最近调低了存款利息。(Yínháng zuìjìn tiáodīle cúnkuǎn lìxī.)

— Translation: The bank recently lowered the savings interest.

如果不按时还款,就要付逾期利息。(Rúguǒ bù ànshí huánkuǎn, jiù yào fù yúqī lìxī.)

— Translation: If you don't pay on time, you have to pay overdue interest.

Using '利息' correctly requires understanding its role as a noun. It usually functions as the object of verbs like 'earn,' 'pay,' 'calculate,' or 'generate.' It can also be modified by adjectives to describe the nature of the interest, such as 'high,' 'low,' 'fixed,' or 'floating.'

Verb + 利息 (Action on Interest)
Common verbs include 支付 (zhīfù - to pay), 计算 (jìsuàn - to calculate), 赚取 (zhuànqǔ - to earn), and 产生 (chǎnshēng - to generate). For example, '银行每月会产生利息' (The bank generates interest every month).
Adjective + 利息 (Describing Interest)
Adjectives like 高 (gāo - high), 低 (dī - low), 额外 (éwài - extra), and 微薄 (wēibó - meager) are frequently used. '高利息' (high interest) is often associated with riskier investments or credit card debt.

我希望我的存款能产生更多的利息。(Wǒ xīwàng wǒ de cúnkuǎn néng chǎnshēng gèng duō de lìxī.)

— Translation: I hope my savings can generate more interest.

In formal documents, you will often see '利息' paired with '本金' (principal). The total amount to be repaid is often expressed as '本息' (principal and interest). This is a common contraction in banking environments. For instance, '本息合计' means 'Total of principal and interest.'

到期后,你可以一次性取出本金和利息。(Dàoqī hòu, nǐ kěyǐ yīcìxìng qǔchū běnjīn hé lìxī.)

— Translation: Upon maturity, you can withdraw the principal and interest all at once.

这笔利息将直接存入您的账户。(Zhè bǐ lìxī jiāng zhíjiē cúnrù nín de zhànghù.)

— Translation: This sum of interest will be deposited directly into your account.

Another important context is the 'interest-free' period or status. In Chinese, this is expressed as '免息' (miǎnxī). You will see this on credit card promotions: '分期免息' (interest-free installments). This is a powerful marketing tool in the Chinese consumer market.

这家商店提供六个月的免利息分期付款。(Zhè jiā shāngdiàn tígōng liù gè yuè de miǎn lìxī fēnqī fùkuǎn.)

— Translation: This store offers six months of interest-free installment payments.
Formal vs. Informal
In very formal financial reports, you might encounter '利息收入' (interest income) or '利息支出' (interest expense). In casual conversation, people might just say '赚点利息' (earn a bit of interest).

You are most likely to encounter '利息' in environments where money is being managed, borrowed, or invested. This includes physical banks, financial apps (like Alipay or WeChat Pay), and news broadcasts discussing the economy.

At the Bank (银行)
When talking to a bank teller (柜员 guìyuán), you might ask: '现在的存款利息是多少?' (What is the current savings interest?). The teller will explain the different rates based on the term of the deposit.
Financial Apps (移动支付)
In apps like Alipay (支付宝), the 'Yu'ebao' (余额宝) feature shows daily earnings. Users often check their '昨日利息' (yesterday's interest) or '累计利息' (accumulated interest). It has made the concept of daily interest very visible to the average person.

他在余额宝里存了不少钱,每天都有利息。(Tā zài Yú'ébǎo lǐ cúnle bùshǎo qián, měitiān dū yǒu lìxī.)

— Translation: He saved a lot of money in Yu'ebao, and there is interest every day.

In the news, you will hear '利息' during reports on the People's Bank of China (中国人民银行) adjusting the base interest rates. This affects everything from the housing market to corporate loans. Phrases like '加息' (jiāxī - raise interest rates) and '降息' (jiàngxī - lower interest rates) are common headlines.

央行宣布下调贷款利息以刺激经济。(Yāngháng xuānbù xiàtiáo dàikuǎn lìxī yǐ cìjī jīngjì.)

— Translation: The central bank announced a reduction in loan interest to stimulate the economy.

Finally, you might hear it in dramas or movies involving debt. The term '高利贷' (gāolìdài) refers to high-interest loans, often from illegal lenders or 'loan sharks.' In these contexts, '利息' is portrayed as a heavy burden that characters struggle to pay off.

他欠了高利贷,光是利息就还得起。(Tā qiànle gāolìdài, guāngshì lìxī jiù huán bù qǐ.)

— Translation: He owes money to loan sharks; he can't even afford to pay just the interest.

Even though '利息' seems straightforward, there are several nuances that can trip up English speakers. The most common error is confusing the amount of interest with the percentage rate of interest.

Mistake 1: Confusing 利息 (Lìxī) with 利率 (Lìlǜ)
In English, we say 'The interest is 5%.' In Chinese, you should say '利率是5%' (The interest rate is 5%). If you say '利息是5%,' it sounds like you are saying the actual dollar amount is five percent, which is mathematically confusing. Use '利息' for the money itself, and '利率' for the percentage.
Mistake 2: Using the wrong verb for 'accruing'
English speakers often want to say interest 'grows.' While '增长' (zēngzhǎng) is understood, the more natural Chinese term is '产生' (chǎnshēng - to produce/generate) or '孳生' (zīshēng - to grow/accrue in a formal sense). Using '产生利息' sounds much more native.

Incorrect: 这里的利息是百分之三。
Correct: 这里的利率是百分之三。

Another mistake involves the word '利润' (lìrùn - profit). While both '利息' and '利润' involve making money, '利润' is specifically for business earnings (revenue minus costs), whereas '利息' is strictly for the cost of lending or the reward for saving. Don't tell a bank you want to see the '利润' on your savings account!

Incorrect: 我在银行赚了很多利润。
Correct: 我在银行赚了很多利息

Finally, watch out for '利权' (lìquán), which refers to 'rights' or 'privileges' and has nothing to do with money. The character '利' is very common, so ensure you are pairing it with '息' for financial interest.

To truly master financial Chinese, you need to distinguish '利息' from its close relatives. Here is a comparison of the most common similar terms.

利息 (Lìxī) vs. 利率 (Lìlǜ)
利息 is the money (e.g., $50). 利率 is the rate (e.g., 5%). You pay '利息' based on the '利率'.
利息 (Lìxī) vs. 利润 (Lìrùn)
利息 is passive income from lending or savings. 利润 is the profit earned by a business through operations. A company pays '利息' on its loans out of its '利润'.
利息 (Lìxī) vs. 收益 (Shōuyì)
收益 is a broader term for 'returns' or 'earnings.' It includes interest, dividends, and capital gains. '利息' is a specific type of '收益'.

虽然利息不高,但这种投资的整体收益很稳健。(Suīrán lìxī bù gāo, dàn zhè zhǒng tóuzī de zhěngtǐ shōuyì hěn wěnjiàn.)

— Translation: Although the interest isn't high, the overall return on this investment is very stable.

When discussing the cost of borrowing specifically, you might also hear '利钱' (lìqián), which is a more colloquial, slightly older term for interest. You'll hear it more in rural areas or in period dramas. In a modern city like Shanghai or Beijing, stick to '利息'.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

In the past, '息' also referred to the child of a parent. Thus, interest was poetically viewed as the 'child' of the principal (the 'mother' money).

발음 가이드

UK /ˈlɪ.ɕi/
US /ˈlɪ.ɕi/
The primary emphasis is on the first syllable 'lì' due to the falling tone intensity.
라임이 맞는 단어
气息 (qìxī) 消息 (xiāoxi) 休息 (xiūxi) 叹息 (tànxī) 珍惜 (zhēnxī) 出息 (chūxi) 姑息 (gūxī) 平息 (píngxī)
자주 하는 실수
  • Pronouncing 'xī' with a falling tone (lìxì), which changes the meaning or makes it sound like 'benefit-play'.
  • Confusing the 'x' sound with English 's' or 'sh'. It's a palatal sound made by placing the tongue against the lower teeth.
  • Failing to distinguish the 4th tone on 'lì', making it sound like 'lí' (2nd tone).

난이도

독해 3/5

The characters are moderately complex but very common in daily life.

쓰기 4/5

The character '息' can be tricky to write correctly (don't forget the heart at the bottom).

말하기 2/5

Pronunciation is simple if you master the 4th-1st tone combination.

듣기 2/5

Very distinct sound, rarely confused with other common words in context.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

钱 (money) 银行 (bank) 给 (give) 多 (much) 少 (little)

다음에 배울 것

利率 (interest rate) 贷款 (loan) 存款 (deposit) 本金 (principal) 投资 (investment)

고급

复利 (compound interest) 通货膨胀 (inflation) 货币政策 (monetary policy) 对冲 (hedging)

알아야 할 문법

Measure words for money

这一**笔**利息 (this sum of interest)

Using '是...的' for emphasis

利息**是**每个月结算**的**。 (Interest is settled monthly.)

Comparative with '比'

今年的利息**比**去年高。 (This year's interest is higher than last year's.)

Resultative complements

利息已经存**入**了。 (Interest has already been deposited.)

Directional complements

利息发**下来**了。 (Interest has been issued/sent down.)

수준별 예문

1

银行给利息。

The bank gives interest.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object structure.

2

我喜欢利息。

I like interest.

Expressing a preference for a noun.

3

利息多吗?

Is there a lot of interest?

Basic question using '吗'.

4

利息很少。

The interest is very little.

Using '很' to modify an adjective describing the noun.

5

这是你的利息。

This is your interest.

Pronoun + linking verb + possessive + noun.

6

我的利息在哪儿?

Where is my interest?

Question about location/existence.

7

利息高吗?

Is the interest high?

Adjective + '吗' question.

8

我不想要利息。

I don't want interest.

Negative desire + noun.

1

存钱有利息。

Saving money has interest.

Gerund-like phrase as subject.

2

利息是多少?

How much is the interest?

Asking for a specific amount/value.

3

银行不给利息了。

The bank doesn't give interest anymore.

Using '了' to indicate a change of state.

4

这个贷款利息很低。

This loan interest is very low.

Noun phrase as subject.

5

我每个月拿利息。

I get interest every month.

Time phrase + verb + noun.

6

利息已经发了。

The interest has already been issued.

Using '已经' for completed action.

7

你需要付利息。

You need to pay interest.

Modal verb '需要' + verb + noun.

8

利息涨了。

The interest has gone up.

Noun + verb of change + '了'.

1

我们需要计算这笔利息。

We need to calculate this sum of interest.

Using the measure word '笔' for money.

2

存款利息比去年低。

Savings interest is lower than last year.

Comparative '比' structure.

3

利息是按月计算的。

The interest is calculated monthly.

'是...的' construction for emphasis on method.

4

我不喜欢付贷款利息。

I don't like paying loan interest.

Compound noun '贷款利息'.

5

利息会自动存入账户。

Interest will be automatically deposited into the account.

Adverb '自动' modifying the verb.

6

这笔利息还没到账。

This sum of interest hasn't arrived in the account yet.

Resultative complement '到账'.

7

银行提高了存款利息。

The bank raised the savings interest.

Transitive verb '提高' + object.

8

你想怎么处理这笔利息?

How do you want to handle this interest?

Question using '怎么' + verb.

1

逾期还款会产生高额利息。

Late repayment will generate high interest.

Formal verb '产生' and adjective '高额'.

2

这家公司提供免利息分期付款。

This company offers interest-free installments.

Compound noun '免利息分期付款'.

3

利息支出占了很大一部分。

Interest expenses account for a large portion.

Using '占' to mean 'account for'.

4

复利的力量是非常强大的。

The power of compound interest is very strong.

Specific financial term '复利'.

5

他靠利息生活。

He lives off the interest.

Using '靠' to mean 'rely on'.

6

利息被扣除了所得税。

Income tax was deducted from the interest.

Passive '被' construction.

7

我们需要对比不同银行的利息。

We need to compare the interest of different banks.

Verb '对比' with a plural object.

8

利息的计算方法很复杂。

The method of calculating interest is very complex.

Abstract noun phrase as subject.

1

央行降息旨在缓解企业的利息负担。

The central bank's rate cut aims to ease the interest burden on enterprises.

Formal vocabulary like '旨在' and '缓解'.

2

法律严格限制高利贷的利息水平。

The law strictly limits the interest levels of high-interest loans.

Legal context with '限制' and '水平'.

3

这笔资金产生的孳息归投资者所有。

The accrued interest generated by these funds belongs to the investor.

Highly formal term '孳息' and '归...所有' structure.

4

名义利息与实际利息之间存在差异。

There is a difference between nominal interest and real interest.

Academic comparison structure.

5

利息互换是一种常见的对冲工具。

Interest rate swaps are a common hedging tool.

Technical financial terminology.

6

由于通货膨胀,利息的实际价值下降了。

Due to inflation, the real value of interest has decreased.

Causal '由于' and abstract concept '实际价值'.

7

贴息贷款大大降低了创业成本。

Subsidized interest loans have significantly reduced the cost of starting a business.

Technical term '贴息' (subsidized interest).

8

他通过巧妙的利息管理实现了财务自由。

He achieved financial freedom through clever interest management.

Complex noun phrase '利息管理'.

1

利息作为资本的成本,在宏观调控中起着枢纽作用。

Interest, as the cost of capital, plays a pivotal role in macro-control.

Philosophical/Economic analysis register.

2

该协议详细规定了利息违约的法律责任。

The agreement stipulates in detail the legal liability for interest default.

Legal terminology '违约' and '法律责任'.

3

影子银行系统的利息往往不受官方监管。

Interest in the shadow banking system is often not subject to official regulation.

Sociopolitical financial context.

4

利息的波动折射出市场对未来经济的预期。

Fluctuations in interest reflect the market's expectations for the future economy.

Metaphorical use of '折射' (reflect).

5

在零利率政策下,传统的利息概念受到了挑战。

Under zero-interest-rate policies, the traditional concept of interest has been challenged.

Advanced economic theory discussion.

6

利息的本质是放弃当前消费的补偿。

The essence of interest is compensation for foregoing current consumption.

Theoretical/Definition register.

7

跨国公司的利息支出往往涉及复杂的转让定价问题。

The interest expenses of multinational corporations often involve complex transfer pricing issues.

Corporate finance/International tax register.

8

利息分配的不均加剧了社会的贫富差距。

The unequal distribution of interest exacerbates the wealth gap in society.

Sociological critique register.

자주 쓰는 조합

计算利息
支付利息
产生利息
赚取利息
高额利息
免息
固定利息
浮动利息
逾期利息
存款利息

자주 쓰는 구문

本息合计

— The total amount of principal and interest. Commonly seen on bank statements.

您的本息合计为一万元。

利息支出

— Interest expenditure. Used in accounting to denote interest paid out.

公司的利息支出增加了。

利息收入

— Interest income. Money earned from interest.

他每年的利息收入很稳定。

分期免息

— Interest-free installments. A popular marketing promotion.

这款手机可以分期免息购买。

低息贷款

— Low-interest loan. Often provided by governments for specific causes.

大学生可以申请低息贷款。

利息计算器

— Interest calculator. A tool used to estimate payments.

你可以用利息计算器算一下。

利息税

— Interest tax. A tax levied on interest income.

有些国家不征收利息税。

单利

— Simple interest. Interest calculated only on the principal.

这个理财产品按单利计息。

复利

— Compound interest. Interest calculated on both principal and accumulated interest.

复利能让财富快速增长。

加息

— To raise interest rates. A common central bank action.

市场预期央行下月加息。

자주 혼동되는 단어

利息 vs 利率

Interest rate (%). '利息' is the money amount.

利息 vs 利润

Business profit. '利息' is specific to lending/saving.

利息 vs 利权

Economic rights/privileges. Completely different meaning.

관용어 및 표현

"利上加利"

— Interest upon interest; compound interest. Often used to describe snow-balling debt.

借这种高利贷就是利上加利,很难还清。

Informal
"蝇头微利"

— Tiny profits as small as a fly's head. Can refer to very low interest.

这点存款利息真是蝇头微利。

Literary/Colloquial
"唯利是图"

— To be guided only by profit. Often used to describe predatory lenders.

那些高利贷公司唯利是图。

Idiomatic/Critical
"无利可图"

— No profit to be made. Used when an investment or loan yields no interest.

既然无利可图,我为什么要投资?

Neutral
"利息相投"

— This is a pun/variant of '志趣相投' (sharing same interests), but '利' here refers to benefit. It's not a formal idiom for money but a play on words.

他们两人利息相投,一拍即合。

Playful
"利令智昏"

— Profit/interest blinds one's judgment. Often used when people take bad loans for quick cash.

他利令智昏,借了高利贷。

Formal
"坐收渔利"

— To reap the benefits while others do the work. Like earning passive interest.

他什么都不做,就等着坐收渔利。

Literary
"一本万利"

— To make a huge profit from a small investment. Often used for high-return interest.

这种投资简直是一本万利。

Colloquial
"见利忘义"

— To forget righteousness at the sight of profit. Used to criticize greedy lenders.

那个人见利忘义,收这么高的利息。

Formal/Critical
"利欲熏心"

— Obsessed with profit/interest. Used for people consumed by financial gain.

他利欲熏心,完全不顾及亲情。

Formal

혼동하기 쉬운

利息 vs 利益

Both start with '利'.

'利益' means general benefit or interest (as in 'vested interests'), while '利息' is strictly financial interest.

我们要维护国家的利益。

利息 vs 利用

Both start with '利'.

'利用' means to use or exploit. It is a verb.

我们要利用好这笔钱。

利息 vs 便利

Contains '利'.

'便利' means convenient. It is an adjective.

这里的交通很便利。

利息 vs 利害

Contains '利'.

'利害' means pros and cons, or 'severe/formidable' in different contexts.

你要分清利害关系。

利息 vs 利索

Contains '利'.

'利索' means agile or neat. It is an adjective.

他做事很利索。

문장 패턴

A1

我有[Noun]。

我有利息。

A2

[Noun]是多少?

利息是多少?

B1

银行给[Person][Noun]。

银行给我利息。

B1

这笔[Noun]很[Adjective]。

这笔利息很高。

B2

如果不[Verb],就要付[Noun]。

如果不还钱,就要付利息。

B2

[Noun]被[Verb]了。

利息被扣除了。

C1

[Noun]旨在[Verb]。

利息支出旨在扩大规模。

C2

[Noun]折射出[Abstract Concept]。

利息的波动折射出经济预期。

어휘 가족

명사

利率 (interest rate)
利息率 (interest rate - formal)
贴息 (interest subsidy)
月息 (monthly interest)
年息 (annual interest)

동사

计息 (to calculate interest)
付息 (to pay interest)
加息 (to raise rates)
降息 (to lower rates)
免息 (to waive interest)

형용사

高息 (high interest)
低息 (low interest)
无息 (interest-free)
固定利息 (fixed interest)
浮动利息 (floating interest)

관련

本金 (principal)
贷款 (loan)
存款 (deposit)
理财 (wealth management)
银行 (bank)

사용법

frequency

Extremely high in financial, banking, and commercial domains.

자주 하는 실수
  • Using '利息' for percentage. 利率

    In Chinese, '利息' is the currency amount, '利率' is the percentage rate. Saying '利息是5%' is incorrect.

  • Confusing '利息' with '利润'. 利润 (for business profit)

    Don't use '利息' to describe the profit a company makes from selling goods.

  • Using '增长' for accruing interest. 产生

    While '增长' is okay, '产生' is the standard verb for interest being generated.

  • Forgetting the measure word '笔'. 这笔利息

    Just saying '这个利息' is less natural than using the specific money measure word '笔'.

  • Mispronouncing '息' as 4th tone. lìxī (1st tone)

    Pronouncing 'xī' as 'xì' can change the meaning or sound unnatural.

Check the measure word

Always use '笔' (bǐ) when referring to a specific instance of interest payment.

Learn the pairs

Always learn '利息' alongside '本金' (principal) and '利率' (rate) for a complete understanding.

Mobile Banking

Check your Alipay or WeChat Pay 'Yu'ebao' to see '利息' in action every day.

Verb Pairing

Use '产生' for interest accruing naturally and '支付' for paying it out.

Loan Sharks

Be wary of '高利贷' (high-interest loans) in conversation; it has a very negative connotation.

Tone Accuracy

Make sure 'lì' is a sharp 4th tone; otherwise, it might sound like 'lí' (away/from).

Legal Documents

In contracts, look for '息金' or '孳息' as formal synonyms for interest.

Free Installments

Look for the characters '分期免息' to save money on big purchases in China.

Money vs Rate

If you are saying '5%', use '利率'. If you are saying '$5', use '利息'.

Character Structure

The bottom of '息' is '心' (heart). Think of interest as the heart of your savings.

암기하기

기억법

Think of '利' (lì) as 'Lee' and '息' (xī) as 'She'. Lee gives She money, and She gives Lee 'Interest' in return. Or: 'Profit' (利) takes a 'Rest' (息) and grows into 'Interest'.

시각적 연상

Imagine a stack of coins (利) that has a small sprout (息) growing out of the top, representing the growth of money.

Word Web

银行 存款 贷款 利率 本金 信用卡 理财

챌린지

Try to explain to a friend in Chinese how much interest you earned on your last savings deposit using at least three different '利息' collocations.

어원

The term combines '利' (profit/gain) and '息' (breath/growth/offspring). In ancient Chinese economic thought, money was seen as something that could 'breathe' or 'reproduce,' leading to the growth of capital.

원래 의미: The growth of grain or the offspring of livestock, which was later metaphorically applied to the growth of money.

Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic.

문화적 맥락

Be careful when discussing interest with friends; charging interest on personal loans to friends or family is often considered rude or un-Chinese.

In English-speaking countries, interest is often discussed in terms of 'APR' or 'Rates.' In China, people focus more on the 'amount' of interest earned per month or year.

The movie 'Shark' (高利贷) often depicts the dark side of interest. Economic news on CCTV-13 frequently discusses '央行加息'. Alipay's 'Yu'ebao' interface is the most common place young Chinese see the word '利息'.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

At the Bank

  • 我想问一下存款利息。
  • 利息是怎么计算的?
  • 什么时候发利息?
  • 利息需要交税吗?

Online Shopping

  • 可以分期免息吗?
  • 利息是多少?
  • 逾期利息怎么算?
  • 有没有免息券?

Business Meeting

  • 我们需要降低利息支出。
  • 这笔贷款的利息太高了。
  • 利息收入超出了预期。
  • 我们要考虑利息风险。

Personal Budgeting

  • 我每个月要还不少利息。
  • 靠利息生活是不够的。
  • 这笔利息存起来吧。
  • 利息又涨了,太好了。

News/Economy

  • 央行宣布降息。
  • 利息水平保持稳定。
  • 高利贷利息受法律监管。
  • 利息波动影响房价。

대화 시작하기

"你觉得现在的银行利息高吗? (Do you think current bank interest is high?)"

"你通常怎么处理你的银行利息? (How do you usually handle your bank interest?)"

"你买手机的时候会选择分期免息吗? (Do you choose interest-free installments when buying a phone?)"

"你知道什么是复利吗? (Do you know what compound interest is?)"

"如果利息涨了,你会多存钱吗? (If interest goes up, will you save more money?)"

일기 주제

写一写你对银行利息的看法,它是太高了还是太低了? (Write about your views on bank interest; is it too high or too low?)

描述一次你计算利息的经历,你是为了贷款还是存款? (Describe an experience calculating interest; was it for a loan or savings?)

如果你有一笔很大的利息收入,你会怎么花? (If you had a large amount of interest income, how would you spend it?)

谈谈分期免息对你消费习惯的影响。 (Talk about the impact of interest-free installments on your spending habits.)

比较一下你国家和中国的利息水平。 (Compare the interest levels in your country and China.)

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

利息 (Lìxī) 是你收到的具体金钱数额,比如50元。利率 (Lìlǜ) 是百分比,比如3%。你用本金乘以利率来计算利息。

‘免息’ (Miǎnxī) 意味着你不需要支付任何利息。这通常出现在信用卡分期付款或促销活动中。

在很多国家,包括中国,某些类型的利息收入是需要交税的,这被称为‘利息税’。具体情况取决于当地法律。

‘复利’ (Fùlì) 就是利滚利。它是指不仅本金产生利息,之前的利息也会在下一个周期产生新的利息。

‘笔’ (Bǐ) 是用于金钱、账目或交易的量词。在这里它表示‘这一份’或‘这一数额’的利息。

‘高利贷’ (Gāolìdài) 是指利息极高的贷款,通常是非法的。借这种钱风险非常大。

通常是根据本金、利率和时间来算的。公式一般是:利息 = 本金 × 利率 × 时间。

它指的是本金 (Principal) 和利息 (Interest) 加在一起的总和。

可能是因为银行调低了利率,或者你的存款金额减少了,也可能是因为扣除了利息税。

这取决于你的存款类型。活期存款可以随时支取,但定期存款如果提前支取,利息通常会按活期计算,会少很多。

셀프 테스트 200 질문

writing

Translate: 'The bank gave me 50 yuan in interest.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using '高利息' and '贷款'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'I want to know the interest rate of this savings account.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Explain '免息' in Chinese.

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writing

Translate: 'Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world.'

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writing

Write a sentence using '逾期利息'.

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writing

Translate: 'The central bank decided to lower interest rates to stimulate the economy.'

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writing

Translate: 'This sum of interest has already been deposited into your account.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using '本息合计'.

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'I live off the interest from my savings.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a short paragraph about why you like interest-free installments.

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'The calculation method for interest is very complex.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using '孳息' in a legal context.

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writing

Translate: 'Is there any tax on the interest income?'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'The interest is calculated daily.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a dialogue between a bank teller and a customer about interest rates.

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writing

Translate: 'The interest burden is too heavy for small businesses.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using '利上加利'.

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'He earned a lot of interest through careful investment.'

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'The bank's interest is higher than last year.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce correctly: 利息 (lìxī).

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

How would you ask a bank teller about the interest rate?

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Talk about your experience with 'Yu'ebao' or a similar app.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Explain the difference between 利息 and 利率 to a friend.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Discuss the pros and cons of fixed vs. floating interest.

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speaking

How do you feel about high-interest credit card debt?

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Describe what 'compound interest' is in your own words.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

What would you do if the bank interest rates dropped significantly?

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Explain 'interest-free installments' in a shopping context.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Discuss why some people avoid borrowing money due to interest.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

How does interest affect the housing market in your country?

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Explain the concept of 'overdue interest'.

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speaking

Talk about the ethics of 'loan sharks' (高利贷).

Read this aloud:

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speaking

What is the most important thing to look at in a loan contract?

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Describe how you calculate simple interest.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Why is 'saving' so popular in Chinese culture?

Read this aloud:

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speaking

What is your opinion on government-subsidized interest (贴息)?

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Explain the term '本息合计'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

How has mobile payment changed how you view interest?

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Summarize the impact of a rate hike (加息) on the average person.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '银行的存款利息太低了。' What is the complaint?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '这笔贷款是免息的。' Do you have to pay interest?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '每月的利息支出是两百元。' How much is paid monthly?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '由于加息,房贷压力变大了。' Why is the mortgage pressure higher?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '本息合计一共是五千块。' What does the 5000 include?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '现在的利率是百分之三点五。' What is the rate?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '余额宝的利息每天都会更新。' How often does the interest update?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '逾期利息按日计算。' How is overdue interest calculated?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '他靠利息赚了不少钱。' How did he make money?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '贴息贷款大大降低了成本。' What was the benefit of the loan?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '利息税已经取消了。' What happened to the interest tax?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '复利的力量不容小觑。' What should not be underestimated?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '利息计算器非常好用。' What is useful?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '这是你的利息。' What is being handed over?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: '固定利息更稳健。' Which type of interest is more stable?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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