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A2 noun 10 min read

银行卡

yínhángkǎ

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 银行卡 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 银行卡 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 银行卡 (yínháng kǎ) means 'bank card.' You should recognize the characters: 银行 (bank) and 卡 (card). At this stage, you should be able to say '这是我的银行卡' (This is my bank card) and understand when a cashier asks for it. You should also learn the measure word 张 (zhāng), as in '一张银行卡.' The focus is on basic identification and ownership. You don't need to worry about complex banking terms yet, just the object itself and its name.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 银行卡 in simple functional contexts. This includes knowing verbs like 办 (bàn) to apply for a card, 刷 (shuā) to swipe/pay, and 丢 (diū) to lose. You should be able to handle a basic situation like: '我的银行卡丢了，怎么办？' (My bank card is lost, what should I do?). You should also know the word 密码 (mìmǎ) for the PIN. At this level, you are expected to navigate a simple transaction at a store or a basic interaction at a bank counter with some assistance.

At the B1 level, you should understand the different types of 银行卡, specifically the difference between a 借记卡 (jièjì kǎ) (debit card) and a 信用卡 (xìnyòng kǎ) (credit card). You should be able to describe banking processes, such as 存钱 (cúnqián) (depositing money) or 取钱 (qǔqián) (withdrawing money). You should also be familiar with mobile banking terms like 绑定 (bǎngdìng) (linking a card to an app) and 余额 (yú'é) (balance). You can explain a problem to a bank teller, such as an expired card or a forgotten password, using more complete sentences.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the technical aspects of 银行卡 usage. This includes understanding 利息 (lìxī) (interest), 手续费 (shǒuxùfèi) (service fees), and 额度 (édù) (credit limit). You should be able to discuss the pros and cons of a 'cashless society' (无现金社会) and how bank cards facilitate it. You can read bank statements or terms and conditions with relative ease. If your card is involved in a 'fraudulent transaction' (盗刷), you should be able to describe the situation in detail to a customer service representative and follow their instructions for 冻结 (dòngjié) (freezing) the account.

At the C1 level, you can discuss 银行卡 within the broader context of financial technology (FinTech) and economic policy. You might discuss the impact of 银联 (UnionPay) on international trade or the security protocols of chip-based cards versus magnetic strips. You should understand nuanced terms like 授信 (shòuxìn) (granting credit) and 征信 (zhēngxìn) (credit reporting/scoring). You can participate in complex debates about financial privacy and the shift from physical cards to biometric payments. Your vocabulary should include idiomatic expressions related to money and trust in the banking system.

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native understanding of the financial ecosystem surrounding 银行卡. You can read and analyze academic papers or legal documents regarding banking regulations, anti-money laundering (反洗钱) laws, and the technical specifications of payment gateways. You can discuss the historical evolution of the Chinese banking sector from the 1980s to the present day, including the role of the central bank. You can use the word in metaphorical or highly specialized professional contexts, and your grasp of the cultural nuances behind 'credit' and 'debt' in Chinese society is profound.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

银行卡 in 30 Seconds

银行卡 (yínháng kǎ) means 'bank card' in Chinese, used for all financial transactions.
It is a compound of 银行 (bank) and 卡 (card), a phonetic loanword.
The measure word is 张 (zhāng). Common verbs are 办 (apply), 刷 (swipe), and 存/取 (deposit/withdraw).
In China, it is usually a UnionPay debit card and is essential for linking to mobile payment apps.

The term 银行卡 (yínháng kǎ) is the standard Chinese word for a 'bank card.' It is a compound noun formed by two distinct parts: 银行 (yínháng), meaning 'bank,' and 卡 (kǎ), which is a phonetic loanword for 'card.' In the modern Chinese economy, the bank card serves as the foundational anchor for almost all financial transactions, even in an era dominated by mobile payments. While you might see people paying with their phones via WeChat Pay or Alipay, those digital wallets are almost always linked to a physical 银行卡. Understanding this word is essential for anyone living in or visiting China, as it is required for everything from opening a mobile phone account to paying rent or receiving a salary.

Functional Scope: This term is an umbrella category. It encompasses 借记卡 (jièjì kǎ) or debit cards, and 信用卡 (xìnyòng kǎ) or credit cards. If you are at a bank counter, the teller will likely use the general term unless the specific type of account matters.

请出示您的银行卡和身份证。 (Please show your bank card and ID card.)

Historically, the adoption of bank cards in China was a massive leap from a cash-heavy society directly into a digital-first society. Unlike Western countries where credit cards were the primary transition, China leaned heavily into debit-style 银行卡 issued by major state banks like ICBC or Bank of China. Today, the physical card is often tucked away in a drawer while its digital representation lives inside a smartphone. However, for official business, the physical card remains a 'hard requirement.' For example, when you go to a bank to update your personal information or withdraw a large sum of cash that exceeds the ATM limit, the physical card is the primary token of identity.

Measure Word: The correct measure word for bank cards is 张 (zhāng), which is used for flat objects like paper, tables, or cards. You would say '一张银行卡' (one bank card).

When using the card at an ATM, you will hear terms like 插入 (chārù - insert) and 退卡 (tuìkǎ - eject card). If you lose your card, the most critical phrase to know is 挂失 (guàshī), which means to report the card as lost or stolen to the bank so they can freeze the account. This process is vital for security. Furthermore, the 16 or 19-digit number on the front is called the 卡号 (kǎhào). In many online forms, you will be asked to provide this number to link your account to various services. Despite the rise of facial recognition and QR codes, the concept of the bank card remains the bedrock of the Chinese financial system.

我的银行卡丢了，我需要立刻挂失。 (My bank card is lost; I need to report it lost immediately.)

Using 银行卡 in a sentence requires an understanding of basic banking verbs. The most common verb used with it is 办 (bàn), which means to 'apply for' or 'process.' When you first arrive in China, your first task will likely be 办银行卡 (applying for a bank card). This involves going to a branch, filling out forms, and providing your passport. Another essential verb is 刷 (shuā), which literally means 'to brush' or 'to swipe.' In the context of payments, 刷银行卡 means to pay by swiping or tapping your card at a terminal.

在这个超市，我可以刷银行卡吗？ (Can I swipe my bank card in this supermarket?)

Common Verb Pairings

办 (bàn): To apply for/get a card.
刷 (shuā): To swipe/pay with a card.
存 (cún): To deposit money into the card.
取 (qǔ): To withdraw money from the card.
绑 (bǎng): To bind/link the card to an app.

In the context of modern technology, you will frequently encounter the verb 绑 (bǎng), short for 绑定 (bǎngdìng). This is used when you link your 银行卡 to WeChat (微信) or Alipay (支付宝). For example, '把银行卡绑到微信上' (Link the bank card to WeChat). Once linked, you rarely need to carry the physical card. However, the card is still the source of funds. If you hear someone say '卡里没钱了' (kǎ lǐ méi qián le), they mean there is no money left in the account associated with the card.

Sentences also often involve the status of the card. If a card is expired, you say 银行卡过期了 (yínháng kǎ guòqī le). If the card is swallowed by an ATM, you use the verb 吞 (tūn), as in '自动取款机把我的银行卡吞了' (The ATM swallowed my bank card). This is a frustrating but common situation that requires immediate contact with the bank staff. Additionally, you might talk about the 余额 (yú'é) or balance of the card. Checking your balance is 查询余额 (cháxún yú'é). These technical but everyday phrases make up the bulk of card-related conversations.

请在键盘上输入您的银行卡密码。 (Please enter your bank card PIN on the keypad.)

You will hear 银行卡 in several distinct environments, ranging from formal institutions to casual retail settings. The most obvious place is, of course, the bank itself. When you walk into a bank like ICBC (工商银行) or CCB (建设银行), the greeter at the door will often ask, '您要办什么业务？' (What business do you need to handle?). If you respond that you want to open an account, they will immediately mention the 银行卡. Inside the bank, the computerized voice calling numbers will often mention card-related services, and the teller will ask for your card at the start of every transaction.

Retail Environments: In high-end shopping malls or large supermarkets (like Walmart or Carrefour in China), the cashier might ask '刷卡还是扫码？' (Swipe card or scan code?). Here, '刷卡' specifically refers to using your physical 银行卡 or a credit card. While scanning a QR code is more common for locals, international tourists are frequently expected to use their bank cards.

对不起，我们这里不能用现金，只能刷银行卡或者扫码。 (Sorry, we don't take cash here; you can only swipe a bank card or scan a code.)

Another common place is at the 自动取款机 (ATM). The voice prompts on these machines are very standardized. They will say things like '请插入银行卡' (Please insert your bank card) and '请取走您的银行卡' (Please take your bank card). If you are using a mobile banking app, you will see the word 银行卡 in the 'My Assets' or 'Wallet' section. This is where you manage your linked cards, view transaction histories, and set spending limits. Even in phone conversations with customer service, if you are reporting a fraudulent transaction, the agent will repeatedly refer to your '卡号' (card number) and '银行卡' status.

Finally, you might hear it in news reports or educational videos about financial security. Phrases like '保护好你的银行卡信息' (Protect your bank card information) are common in public service announcements aimed at preventing telecommunications fraud. Because scams involving bank transfers are a serious concern, the government and banks frequently remind the public never to share their 银行卡 password or verification codes with strangers. In these contexts, the word carries a weight of personal security and financial responsibility.

为了安全，请不要把银行卡和身份证放在一起。 (For safety, please do not put your bank card and ID card together.)

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using the wrong measure word. In English, we just say 'a bank card.' In Chinese, learners often default to 个 (gè), the general measure word. While you might be understood if you say '一个银行卡,' it sounds uneducated or foreign. Always use 张 (zhāng). Think of the card as a flat, rectangular object similar to a piece of paper or a ticket.

Confusion with Specific Card Types: Another mistake is assuming 银行卡 only means 'credit card.' In many Western countries, 'card' is synonymous with 'credit card.' However, in China, the vast majority of 'bank cards' are debit cards (借记卡). If you specifically mean a credit card, you should use 信用卡. Using the general term is fine for most situations, but if you are applying for a loan or building credit, the distinction becomes crucial.

错误 (Wrong): 我有一个银行卡。
正确 (Right): 我有一张银行卡。

Learners also struggle with the verbs for 'using' a card. English speakers often want to say 用银行卡 (yòng yínháng kǎ). While '用' (use) is grammatically correct, it is very generic. Native speakers prefer more specific verbs like 刷 (shuā - swipe) when at a store or 插 (chā - insert) when at an ATM. Using '用' all the time makes your Chinese sound 'flat.' Try to match the verb to the physical action being performed with the card.

Finally, a common cultural-linguistic mistake is misunderstanding the word 提现 (tíxiàn). English speakers might think this means 'using a bank card' generally. However, 提现 specifically refers to 'withdrawing cash' from a digital platform (like WeChat) back into your 银行卡. If you are just taking money out of an ATM, the correct term is 取钱 (qǔqián). Confusing these two can lead to confusion when talking to bank staff or using mobile apps. Also, remember that 'password' in the context of a card is always 密码 (mìmǎ), never 口令 (kǒulìng), which is more for verbal codes or computer commands.

While 银行卡 is the most common general term, there are several specific alternatives you should know to sound more like a native speaker. The most important distinction is between debit and credit. In Chinese, these are two very different categories of cards with different application requirements and usage rules. Understanding these will help you navigate the financial system more effectively.

借记卡 (jièjì kǎ) - Debit Card: This is the most common type of 银行卡. It is linked directly to your savings account. You can only spend what you have. Most foreigners in China start with this card. It is also sometimes called a 储蓄卡 (chǔxù kǎ) or savings card.
信用卡 (xìnyòng kǎ) - Credit Card: This allows you to borrow money up to a certain limit. The word 信用 means 'credit' or 'trust.' In China, getting a credit card as a foreigner can be difficult and usually requires a steady income and a long-term visa.

我通常用借记卡买菜，用信用卡买大件物品。 (I usually use a debit card to buy groceries and a credit card for big-ticket items.)

Another term you might encounter is 金卡 (jīnkǎ) or 'Gold Card.' This refers to a premium 银行卡 with higher limits and more perks. Conversely, a 副卡 (fùkǎ) is a secondary or 'supplementary card' linked to a primary account holder's card, often used by family members. In the digital age, people also talk about 虚拟卡 (xūnǐ kǎ) or 'virtual cards,' which exist only in an app and don't have a physical counterpart.

Finally, consider the term 电子钱包 (diànzǐ qiánbāo) or 'E-wallet.' While not a card itself, it is the primary competitor to the physical 银行卡 in daily life. When people say they are 'paying with their phone' (用手机支付), they are using an e-wallet that is secretly using a 银行卡 in the background. Understanding how these terms interconnect—from the physical card to the digital wallet—is key to mastering modern Chinese financial vocabulary.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '卡' was specifically chosen because it depicts something stuck (like a card in a slot) between 'up' (上) and 'down' (下), though its primary use here is phonetic.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɪŋhɑːŋ kɑː/

US /ˈɪŋhɑːŋ kɑː/

The primary stress is often placed on the 'kǎ' to emphasize the object being discussed.

Rhymes With

大 (dà) 马 (mǎ) 打 (dǎ) 发 (fā) 花 (huā) 拿 (ná) 下 (xià) 吧 (ba)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'háng' as 'héng'.
Using the wrong tone for 'kǎ' (pronouncing it as 'kā').
Failing to distinguish 'yín' from 'yǐn'.
Pronouncing '银行' as 'yínháng' but forgetting the nasal 'ng' sound.
Blending the syllables too closely without tonal distinction.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are relatively simple and appear frequently in daily life.

Writing 3/5

Writing '银' and '行' requires some practice for beginners.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you follow the tones correctly.

Listening 1/5

Very distinct sound, especially the loanword 'kǎ'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

钱 (money) 银行 (bank) 卡 (card) 办 (to do/process) 张 (measure word)

Learn Next

信用卡 (credit card) 密码 (password) 转账 (transfer) 手续费 (fee) 余额 (balance)

Advanced

利息 (interest) 透支 (overdraft) 反洗钱 (anti-money laundering) 征信 (credit report) 清算 (settlement)

Grammar to Know

Measure Word '张' (zhāng)

我有三张银行卡。

Verb '办' (bàn) for processing documents

他在银行办业务。

Locative '里' (lǐ) for accounts

卡里有很多钱。

Passive '被' (bèi) for mishaps

卡被机器吞了。

Resultative Complement '好' (hǎo)

请收好银行卡。

Examples by Level

这是一张银行卡。

This is a bank card.

Use '张' (zhāng) as the measure word for cards.

我的银行卡在桌子上。

My bank card is on the table.

Preposition '在...上' indicates location.

你有银行卡吗？

Do you have a bank card?

Simple question with '吗'.

我不常用银行卡。

I don't often use a bank card.

'常' (cháng) means often; '不' negates it.

这是谁的银行卡？

Whose bank card is this?

'谁的' (shéi de) means whose.

我要买一张银行卡。

I want to get (buy/apply for) a bank card.

While '买' is rare for cards, '要' expresses desire.

银行卡是蓝色的。

The bank card is blue.

Adjective '蓝色' with '的'.

请给我你的银行卡。

Please give me your bank card.

Polite request with '请'.

我想办一张银行卡。

I want to apply for a bank card.

'办' (bàn) is the standard verb for 'applying for' documents.

你可以刷银行卡吗？

Can you swipe a bank card?

'刷' (shuā) means to swipe or pay by card.

我的银行卡丢了。

My bank card is lost.

'丢' (diū) means to lose something.

银行卡密码是多少？

What is the bank card PIN?

'密码' (mìmǎ) means password/PIN.

我去银行取银行卡。

I am going to the bank to pick up my bank card.

'取' (qǔ) means to fetch or take.

这张银行卡过期了。

This bank card has expired.

'过期' (guòqī) means expired.

银行卡里没有钱了。

There is no money in the bank card (account).

'里' (lǐ) indicates 'inside' the account.

请收好您的银行卡。

Please put away your bank card carefully.

'收好' (shōuhǎo) means to put away properly.

我需要把银行卡绑定到支付宝上。

I need to link my bank card to Alipay.

'绑定' (bǎngdìng) is the technical term for linking accounts.

你可以通过银行卡转账。

You can transfer money via bank card.

'通过' (tōngguò) means through or by means of.

我的银行卡被ATM机吞了。

My bank card was swallowed by the ATM.

Passive '被' (bèi) construction.

这张银行卡的手续费很高。

The service fee for this bank card is very high.

'手续费' (shǒuxùfèi) means service fee.

我忘记了银行卡的支付密码。

I forgot the payment password for my bank card.

'忘记' (wàngjì) means to forget.

这张银行卡支持境外消费吗？

Does this bank card support overseas spending?

'支持' (zhīchí) means to support; '境外' (jìngwài) means overseas.

我想查一下银行卡的余额。

I want to check the balance of my bank card.

'查询' (cháxún) or '查' means to check/inquire.

他在银行办了一张新的银行卡。

He applied for a new bank card at the bank.

'办了' indicates the action is completed.

持卡人必须在银行卡背面签名。

The cardholder must sign the back of the bank card.

'持卡人' (chíkǎrén) means cardholder.

如果银行卡被盗刷，应立即拨打客服电话。

If the bank card is used fraudulently, call customer service immediately.

'盗刷' (dàoshuā) refers to unauthorized card usage.

这张银行卡有自动还款功能。

This bank card has an automatic repayment feature.

'功能' (gōngnéng) means function or feature.

为了安全，请定期更换银行卡密码。

For safety, please change your bank card PIN regularly.

'定期' (dìngqī) means regularly/at fixed intervals.

他的银行卡因为异常交易被冻结了。

His bank card was frozen due to abnormal transactions.

'冻结' (dòngjié) means to freeze (an account).

申请这张银行卡需要提供收入证明。

Applying for this bank card requires proof of income.

'提供' (tígōng) means to provide; '证明' (zhèngmíng) means proof.

这张银行卡可以在全球范围内的ATM机上取现。

This bank card can withdraw cash from ATMs worldwide.

'全球范围内' means on a global scale.

银行卡的芯片比磁条更安全。

The chip on a bank card is more secure than the magnetic strip.

'芯片' (xīnpiàn) is chip; '磁条' (cítiáo) is magnetic strip.

该银行卡集成了多种金融服务功能。

This bank card integrates various financial service functions.

'集成' (jíchéng) means to integrate.

由于系统升级，部分银行卡业务将暂停服务。

Due to a system upgrade, some bank card services will be suspended.

'暂停' (zàntíng) means to suspend/pause.

银行卡清算市场的开放促进了竞争。

The opening of the bank card clearing market has promoted competition.

'清算' (qīngsuàn) means clearing/settlement.

持卡人享有银行卡关联的各项保险权益。

Cardholders enjoy various insurance benefits associated with the bank card.

'享有' (xiǎngyǒu) means to enjoy (rights/benefits).

请核对银行卡账单上的每一笔交易记录。

Please verify every transaction record on the bank card statement.

'核对' (héduì) means to verify/check.

银行卡诈骗手段层出不穷，需保持警惕。

Bank card fraud methods emerge endlessly; one must remain vigilant.

Idiom '层出不穷' (céng chū bù qióng) means to emerge one after another.

该银行卡针对高端客户提供私人定制服务。

This bank card provides personalized services for high-end clients.

'针对' (zhēnduì) means aimed at.

银行卡的发卡量反映了居民的消费水平。

The volume of bank card issuance reflects the consumption level of residents.

'反映' (fǎnyìng) means to reflect.

银行卡的数字化转型是金融业发展的必然趋势。

The digital transformation of bank cards is an inevitable trend in the development of the financial industry.

'必然趋势' (bìrán qūshì) means inevitable trend.

监管机构对银行卡跨行转账手续费进行了规范。

Regulatory authorities have standardized the service fees for interbank transfers via bank cards.

'规范' (guīfàn) used as a verb meaning to standardize.

银行卡支付协议中的免责条款需仔细研读。

The disclaimer clauses in the bank card payment agreement must be studied carefully.

'免责条款' (miǎnzé tiáokuǎn) means disclaimer/exemption clauses.

虚拟银行卡的普及挑战了传统实体卡的地位。

The popularity of virtual bank cards challenges the status of traditional physical cards.

'普及' (pǔjí) means popularization/widespread use.

银行卡作为信用中介，在宏观经济中扮演着重要角色。

As a credit intermediary, bank cards play a vital role in the macroeconomy.

'扮演...角色' means to play a role.

反洗钱法对大额银行卡交易提出了严格的报备要求。

The Anti-Money Laundering Law has set strict reporting requirements for large bank card transactions.

'报备' (bàobèi) means to report for the record.

银行卡技术的迭代更新极大地提升了支付效率。

The iterative updates of bank card technology have greatly improved payment efficiency.

'迭代' (diédài) means iteration.

跨境银行卡支付的汇率结算机制相对复杂。

The exchange rate settlement mechanism for cross-border bank card payments is relatively complex.

'结算机制' (jiésuàn jīzhì) means settlement mechanism.

Common Collocations

办银行卡

刷银行卡

银行卡密码

银行卡号

银行卡挂失

绑定银行卡

一张银行卡

银行卡余额

银行卡过期

银行卡磁条

Common Phrases

我的银行卡丢了

— My bank card is lost. Used when reporting a loss.

我的银行卡丢了，我需要补办。

请输入密码

— Please enter the password. Common at ATMs and stores.

请在小键盘上输入密码。

余额不足

— Insufficient balance. Heard when a transaction fails.

对不起，您的银行卡余额不足。

刷卡消费

— Spending by swiping a card. Formal term for shopping.

刷卡消费有很多积分。

自动取款

— Automatic withdrawal. Refers to using an ATM.

我可以用银行卡自动取款。

卡号是多少

— What is the card number? Asked during setup or support.

请问您的银行卡号是多少？

补办银行卡

— To replace/reissue a bank card. After loss or damage.

补办银行卡需要身份证。

境外刷卡

— Swiping a card abroad. Refers to international use.

境外刷卡有手续费吗？

银行卡转账

— Bank card transfer. Moving money between accounts.

我给你银行卡转账吧。

吞卡

— To swallow the card. When an ATM keeps the card.

ATM机吞了我的银行卡。

Often Confused With

银行卡 vs 名片 (míngpiàn)

Both are 'cards,' but 名片 is a business card with contact info, not a bank card.

银行卡 vs 会员卡 (huìyuánkǎ)

A membership card for a store, not for financial transactions.

银行卡 vs 公交卡 (gōngjiāokǎ)

A transportation card for buses/subways.

Idioms & Expressions

"身无分文"

— To not have a cent on one's person. Often used when a card fails.

银行卡坏了，我现在身无分文。

Literary/Common

"挥金如土"

— To spend money like dirt (very extravagantly).

他拿着银行卡在商场挥金如土。

Literary

"精打细算"

— Careful calculation and strict budgeting.

看着银行卡余额，他决定要精打细算。

Common

"一诺千金"

— A promise that is worth a thousand gold pieces (very reliable).

虽然银行卡里钱不多，但他一诺千金。

Literary

"爱财如命"

— To love money as much as one's life (miserly).

他爱财如命，银行卡里的钱从来不动。

Common

"财源广进"

— May wealth flow in from all sides (a greeting).

祝你新的一年银行卡里财源广进。

Social/New Year

"入不敷出"

— Income does not cover expenses.

看他的银行卡记录，已经是入不敷出了。

Formal

"一贫如洗"

— As poor as if washed clean (penniless).

银行卡被刷爆后，他变得一贫如洗。

Literary

"坐吃山空"

— To sit and eat until the mountain is hollow (waste a fortune).

不找工作只花银行卡的钱，早晚会坐吃山空。

Common

"取之不尽"

— Inexhaustible resources.

他总觉得银行卡里的钱取之不尽。

Literary

Easily Confused

银行卡 vs 信用卡

Often used interchangeably in English.

信用卡 is a credit card (borrowed money); 银行卡 is the general term or implies debit.

我有银行卡，但没有信用卡。

银行卡 vs 借记卡

Technical synonym.

借记卡 is the formal/technical name for a standard bank card.

这张银行卡的类型是借记卡。

银行卡 vs 存折

Both used for banking.

存折 is a paper book; 银行卡 is a plastic card.

老人喜欢用存折，年轻人喜欢用银行卡。

银行卡 vs 卡号

Confusing the object with its attribute.

银行卡 is the card; 卡号 is the number on the card.

我的银行卡丢了，我不记得卡号。

银行卡 vs 密码

Password vs. Card.

密码 is the PIN needed to use the 银行卡.

银行卡需要密码才能取钱。

Sentence Patterns

这是我的 + [Noun]

这是我的银行卡。

我想 + [Verb] + [Noun]

我想办银行卡。

把 + [Object] + [Verb] + 在/到 + [Location]

把银行卡绑在手机上。

[Subject] + 被 + [Agent] + [Verb]

银行卡被他弄丢了。

为了 + [Purpose], [Action]

为了安全，请保管好银行卡。

如果...就...

如果银行卡丢了，就去挂失。

随着...的普及...

随着银行卡的普及，现金使用减少了。

[Noun] + 扮演着...的角色

银行卡在金融体系中扮演着核心角色。

Word Family

Nouns

银行 (bank)

卡片 (card)

卡号 (card number)

持卡人 (cardholder)

Verbs

办卡 (to apply for a card)

刷卡 (to swipe a card)

锁卡 (to lock a card)

补卡 (to replace a card)

Adjectives

实体的 (physical)

虚拟的 (virtual)

过期的 (expired)

ATM (automatic teller machine)

POS机 (POS machine)

手机银行 (mobile banking)

网银 (online banking)

转账 (transfer)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, banking, and commerce.

Common Mistakes

使用'个'作为量词 (Using 'ge' as a measure word) → 使用'张' (Use 'zhang')
Flat objects like cards always use '张'. '一个银行卡' is a common beginner error.
说'买银行卡' (Saying 'buy a bank card') → 说'办银行卡' (Say 'apply for a bank card')
You don't purchase a card; you go through a process to obtain it, which is '办'.
混淆'银行卡'和'名片' (Confusing bank card and business card) → 银行卡 is for money; 名片 is for names.
Both are 'cards' in English, but very different in Chinese. Don't try to pay with a business card!
忘记'银行'的音调 (Forgetting the tones of yínháng) → Both are second tones (rising).
Pronouncing it as 'yǐnháng' (third tone) is a common mistake that sounds like 'hidden bank'.
认为'银行卡'只是信用卡 (Thinking it only means credit card) → It's a general term.
In China, most people use debit cards. If you want a credit card, specifically say '信用卡'.

Tips

Protect your PIN

Always cover the keypad when entering your 银行卡密码 at an ATM or store. Telecommunications fraud is a common issue, and protecting your PIN is the first line of defense.

Bind to Mobile Apps

As soon as you get your 银行卡, bind it to WeChat or Alipay. You will find that you rarely need the physical card after that, making daily life much more convenient.

Use the Right Verb

Remember to use '办' (bàn) for getting a card and '刷' (shuā) for using it. Using '买' (buy) or '用' (use) sounds less natural to native speakers.

Travel Notification

If you plan to use your Chinese 银行卡 abroad, check with your bank first to ensure '境外消费' (overseas spending) is enabled, as some cards are restricted by default.

Learn Related Terms

Words like '余额' (balance) and '转账' (transfer) are almost always used alongside '银行卡'. Learning them together will help you navigate banking apps more easily.

Handing over the Card

When handing your 银行卡 to a cashier, it is polite to use two hands, especially in more formal or traditional settings. This shows respect.

Keep the Hotline Number

Note down the 24-hour customer service number of your bank. If your card is lost, you need to call it immediately to '挂失' (report loss).

Keep the Receipt

When you '办银行卡', keep the opening documents and the receipt. You might need them later if you lose the card or need to change your phone number.

Tone Accuracy

Focus on the rising tone of 'yín'. If you say it with a falling tone, it might sound like 'yìn' (print), which changes the meaning entirely.

Virtual Cards

If you don't want to carry plastic, ask your bank about a '虚拟银行卡' (virtual bank card). These are increasingly common and very secure for online shopping.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Silver Business' (银行) + 'Card' (卡). You go to the silver business to get your card.

Visual Association

Imagine a shiny silver bank building and a giant blue plastic card stuck in the front door.

Word Web

Money Bank Wallet ATM Payment Plastic UnionPay Security

Challenge

Go to a local shop and ask '可以刷银行卡吗？' even if you plan to pay with a phone, just to practice the phrase.

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '银行' (yínháng) dates back to the late 19th century, combining '银' (silver) and '行' (firm/business). '卡' (kǎ) is a phonetic transliteration of the English word 'card' that entered the Chinese language in the 20th century.

Original meaning: A silver business card - originally a way to describe financial institutions and the physical tokens they issued.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese) with an English loanword component.

Cultural Context

Never ask to see someone's bank card or card number; it is considered a significant privacy breach and potential scam behavior.

In the West, 'bank card' often refers specifically to a debit card, while 'credit card' is a separate category. In China, 银行卡 is more often used as a general term for both.

The 'UnionPay' logo found on almost every card. Public service posters warning about '银行卡诈骗' (bank card fraud). Television dramas showing characters dramatically throwing a 'Black Card' (黑卡) to pay for things.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Bank

我要办银行卡
挂失银行卡
修改密码
查询余额

At a Store

可以刷卡吗？
刷银行卡
密码不对
小票

Online Shopping

绑定银行卡
输入卡号
快捷支付
安全验证

Using an ATM

插入银行卡
退卡
取现
修改密码

With Friends

我的卡里没钱了
银行卡丢了
转账给你
卡号发我

Conversation Starters

"请问，最近的银行在哪儿？我想办一张银行卡。"

"你的银行卡是哪家银行的？中国银行还是工商银行？"

"糟糕！我好像把银行卡忘在ATM机里了。"

"在你们国家，大家更喜欢用现金还是银行卡？"

"我想把银行卡绑定到微信上，你能帮我一下吗？"

Journal Prompts

描述一下你在中国办理银行卡的经历。遇到了什么困难吗？

你觉得银行卡在未来会被完全取代吗？为什么？

如果你丢了银行卡，你会采取哪些步骤来保护你的钱？

比较一下银行卡支付和手机支付的优缺点。

写一段对话：一个顾客在超市发现银行卡余额不足。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You say '我的银行卡丢了' (Wǒ de yínháng kǎ diū le). You should then follow up by saying '我要挂失' (Wǒ yào guàshī), which means 'I want to report it lost.'

The measure word is '张' (zhāng). For example, '一张银行卡' (yī zhāng yínháng kǎ).

Yes, but only at ATMs or stores that display the Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay logos. Most small shops only accept UnionPay or mobile payments.

You need to go to a bank (银行) with your passport and say '我要办银行卡' (Wǒ yào bàn yínháng kǎ). They will help you fill out the forms.

'刷卡' (shuā kǎ) literally means 'swipe card.' It is the standard way to say 'pay by card' in a shop or restaurant.

Yes, it is a general term. However, if you want to be specific, use '信用卡' (xìnyòng kǎ) for credit cards and '借记卡' (jièjì kǎ) for debit cards.

You can go to an ATM or use a mobile app and look for '查询余额' (cháxún yú'é), which means 'check balance.'

Tell the bank staff '我的银行卡被吞了' (Wǒ de yínháng kǎ bèi tūn le). They will help you retrieve it after verifying your ID.

Standard bank card PINs (密码) in China are six digits long. Be prepared for this if you are used to four-digit PINs.

UnionPay (银联 - Yínlián) is the national bank card network in China. Almost all 银行卡 issued in China are UnionPay cards.