In 15 Seconds
- Used when asking someone to pay back money they owe you.
- Combines 'to demand' and 'account/bill' into one action.
- Commonly used for both business invoices and splitting dinner bills.
Meaning
This phrase describes the act of asking for money that someone owes you. It covers everything from a bank calling about a loan to you nudging a friend for their share of last night's dinner.
Key Examples
3 of 6Reminding a friend about a small debt
我是来向你讨账的，昨天的饭钱还没给呢。
I'm here to collect a debt; you haven't paid for yesterday's meal yet.
A business owner talking to a late client
老板去客户那里讨账了。
The boss went to the client's place to collect the debt.
Texting a roommate about utilities
别忘了跟小王讨账，电费该交了。
Don't forget to get the money from Xiao Wang; the electricity bill is due.
Cultural Background
End-of-year debt settlement is a major cultural tradition.
Be polite
Always use polite particles when {讨账|tǎozhàng}.
In 15 Seconds
- Used when asking someone to pay back money they owe you.
- Combines 'to demand' and 'account/bill' into one action.
- Commonly used for both business invoices and splitting dinner bills.
What It Means
讨账 is all about getting your money back. The first character 讨 means to demand or ask for. The second character 账 refers to a bill or debt. Together, they describe the process of chasing down a payment. It is a very practical, everyday term.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb. You can say someone is going to 讨账. You can also describe a person as a 讨账的 (a debt collector). It works for big business deals and small personal favors. Just place the person who owes you money after the phrase if needed, or use it alone to describe the action.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend forgets to PayMe you for coffee. Use it when a client is three months late on an invoice. It is perfect for those awkward moments when you need to be firm about your finances. You might text a roommate: "Don't forget to 讨账 from your brother so we can pay rent!"
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in very high-level legal documents. In a courtroom, lawyers use more formal terms like 追讨债务. Also, don't use it if you are just asking for a gift or a favor. It must involve a pre-existing debt. Using it for a first-time request for money makes you sound like a loan shark!
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, talking about money can be sensitive. Traditionally, 讨账 was seen as an unpleasant but necessary task. During the Lunar New Year, there is a tradition that all debts should be cleared. If you are still 讨账 on New Year's Day, it is considered very bad luck for both parties. It implies the debt has dragged on too long.
Common Variations
You will often hear 要账 in Northern China. It means the exact same thing but feels slightly more colloquial. If someone is being really aggressive about it, you might hear 催账, which implies a sense of urgency or 'pressuring' for the payment. If you are the one being chased, you are shou dao tao zhang (receiving a debt demand).
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral but leans toward informal spoken Chinese. Use it cautiously with superiors to avoid sounding demanding.
Be polite
Always use polite particles when {讨账|tǎozhàng}.
Examples
6我是来向你讨账的，昨天的饭钱还没给呢。
I'm here to collect a debt; you haven't paid for yesterday's meal yet.
Using it with friends makes the request feel slightly more formal but clear.
老板去客户那里讨账了。
The boss went to the client's place to collect the debt.
Standard professional use for business accounts.
别忘了跟小王讨账，电费该交了。
Don't forget to get the money from Xiao Wang; the electricity bill is due.
Casual instruction between peers.
你再不还我那五块钱，我就要天天上门讨账了！
If you don't return that five dollars, I'll come to your door every day to collect!
Hyperbole makes the situation lighthearted.
讨账真难，他总是有各种借口。
Collecting debt is so hard; he always has all kinds of excuses.
Reflects the emotional burden of chasing money.
公司派专门的小组去讨账。
The company sent a specialized team to collect the debts.
Describes a formal organizational action.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
他欠我钱，我不得不去______。
The context is about money owed.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of Debt Collection Terms
Very blunt/aggressive
要钱 (Yào qián)
Standard everyday term
讨账 (Tǎo zhàng)
Legal or corporate context
追债 (Zhuī zhài)
When to use 讨账
Splitting a bill
Asking a friend for lunch money
Business
Chasing a late invoice
Rent
Landlord asking for monthly pay
Personal Loan
Asking a relative to pay back a loan
Practice Bank
1 exercises他欠我钱，我不得不去______。
The context is about money owed.
🎉 Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsIt depends on the context.
Related Phrases
还钱
contrastTo pay back money
