预算

Using it is super simple. If you want to say 'my budget is...', say 我的预算是.... If you want to say 'over budget', use 超预算. You can use it as a verb too. For example, 我们要预算一下 means 'we need to budget a bit'. It usually sits right before the amount of money. It is a very 'plug and play' word in sentences.

You will use this constantly in daily life. Use it when apartment hunting with an agent. Use it when discussing dinner plans with friends. It is essential for business meetings and project planning. Even when you are just thinking to yourself at the mall. It helps you sound organized and realistic about your finances. It is a great way to politely decline something expensive.

Do not use it for tiny, impulsive purchases. You do not really 'budget' for a single bottle of water. Avoid using it in very emotional or romantic settings. Telling your partner you have a 预算 for their birthday gift might feel a bit cold. In those cases, use words like 打算 (plan) instead. It is a practical word, not a poetic one. Keep it for things that actually require a bit of math.

In China, talking about money is quite common and direct. People often discuss the cost of things openly. However, saving money is a huge cultural value. Having a 预算 is seen as a sign of being a responsible adult. Young people today use apps to track their 预算 to save for big goals. It is a word that bridges the gap between traditional thriftiness and modern consumerism.

There are a few ways to tweak this. 超预算 (chāo yùsuàn) is the one you will hear most—it means you spent too much! 没预算 (méi yùsuàn) means there is no money allocated for that. 控制预算 (kòngzhì yùsuàn) means to keep the spending under control. If you are being very casual, you might just say 钱不够 (not enough money). But 预算 makes you sound much more professional and in control.