Qiànzhài refers to the state of being in debt or the debt itself, spanning financial and moral contexts.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to money or obligations owed to someone else.
- Commonly used in financial distress or personal loan contexts.
- Can metaphorically represent moral or emotional obligations (情债).
Overview
- 1概述：‘欠债’是一个由动词‘欠’（欠缺、欠下）和名词‘债’（债务）构成的复合词。它既可以作为名词指代债务本身，也可以作为动词短语使用，描述一种负债的状态。2) 使用模式：作为名词时，常与‘清偿’、‘背负’、‘躲避’等动词连用；作为动词短语时，常接‘累累’、‘过亿’等程度词。3) 常见语境：最常见于个人或企业的财务危机描述，如‘生意失败导致欠债累累’。此外，它在社会文化中常带有一定的负面色彩，暗示信用受损或经济压力。4) 词义辨析：与‘债务’（Debt）相比，‘欠债’更口语化，且更强调‘欠’这个动作带来的后果；‘债务’则是一个中性的法律或财务术语。与‘欠款’相比，‘欠债’的范围更广，‘欠款’通常指具体的、某一项未付的金额，而‘欠债’可以指代长期的、多项的财务负担，甚至可以引申为‘情债’（emotional debt）。
Examples
他因为赌博欠债累累，最后不得不卖掉房子。
everydayHe was heavily in debt due to gambling and eventually had to sell his house.
欠债还钱，天经地义。
informalIt is only right and proper to pay back what you owe.
该公司因欠债过多，已向法院申请破产保护。
formalThe company has filed for bankruptcy protection due to excessive debt.
他觉得自己在精神上对父母有一份深深的欠债。
academicHe feels a deep sense of spiritual debt toward his parents.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
躲债
to dodge a creditor
讨债
to demand debt repayment
情债
emotional debt
Often Confused With
债务 is a formal noun referring to the legal obligation; 欠债 is more colloquial and can act as a verb phrase.
欠款 usually refers to a specific unpaid bill or amount, whereas 欠债 is a broader term for general indebtedness.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
In daily conversation, '欠债' is the go-to term for owing money. In writing, it is neutral but often appears in negative contexts. It can be used as a noun (the debt) or a verb (to owe).
Common Mistakes
English speakers often use 'debt' only as a noun, but '欠债' can function as a verb phrase. Don't say '我有一个欠债' (use 债务 instead); say '我欠债了' or '我有一笔欠债'.
Tips
Using the 'V-O' structure effectively
Remember that 欠债 is a verb-object construction. You can insert modifiers like 欠了一大笔债.
Avoid confusing with '还债'
还债 (huán zhài) is the opposite, meaning to pay back the debt. Don't mix them up in conversation.
The concept of 'Face' and Debt
In Chinese culture, being publicly known for 欠债 can lead to a significant loss of 'face' (Mianzi).
Word Origin
From 欠 (to lack/owe) and 债 (debt). Historically, 债 comes from 责 (responsibility/duty), implying that debt is a moral responsibility to repay.
Cultural Context
In China, debt is not just financial; the concept of 'Renqing' (human sentiment) creates 'Renqing zhai,' where social favors must be repaid to maintain harmony.
Memory Tip
The character 欠 (qiàn) looks like a person yawning or bowing, and 债 (zhài) consists of 'person' (人) and 'responsibility' (责). A person responsible for what they lack is in debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“负债”多用于会计和正式财务报告中，是一个中性术语；“欠债”更口语化，通常暗示一种压力或负面的经济状况。
可以。常说“欠下人情债”或“情债”，表示在情感上亏欠他人，无法用金钱衡量。
这是一个常用成语，形容欠下的债务非常多，已经到了难以偿还的地步。
在正式法律文书中，通常使用“债务”或“欠款”，因为它们比“欠债”更严谨、专业。
Test Yourself
由于过度消费，他年纪轻轻就___了十几万元。
‘欠债’在这里表示负债的状态，符合过度消费导致的结果。
形容一个人欠了很多钱，可以用：
‘债台高筑’是一个成语，形容欠债极多，与‘欠债累累’意思相近。
他 / 所有的 / 终于 / 欠债 / 了 / 还清
在汉语中，宾语‘所有的欠债’可以放在动词后，也可以为了强调提前到句首。
Score: /3
Summary
Qiànzhài refers to the state of being in debt or the debt itself, spanning financial and moral contexts.
- Refers to money or obligations owed to someone else.
- Commonly used in financial distress or personal loan contexts.
- Can metaphorically represent moral or emotional obligations (情债).
Using the 'V-O' structure effectively
Remember that 欠债 is a verb-object construction. You can insert modifiers like 欠了一大笔债.
Avoid confusing with '还债'
还债 (huán zhài) is the opposite, meaning to pay back the debt. Don't mix them up in conversation.
The concept of 'Face' and Debt
In Chinese culture, being publicly known for 欠债 can lead to a significant loss of 'face' (Mianzi).
Examples
4 of 4他因为赌博欠债累累，最后不得不卖掉房子。
He was heavily in debt due to gambling and eventually had to sell his house.
欠债还钱，天经地义。
It is only right and proper to pay back what you owe.
该公司因欠债过多，已向法院申请破产保护。
The company has filed for bankruptcy protection due to excessive debt.
他觉得自己在精神上对父母有一份深深的欠债。
He feels a deep sense of spiritual debt toward his parents.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More daily_life words
朝九晚五
B2From nine to five; regular working hours.
废弃
B2To abandon; to discard; to cease to use.
恪守
B2To scrupulously observe; to strictly adhere to.
未免
B2Rather; a bit too; truly (implies something excessive).
反常
B2abnormal, unusual
充裕
B2Abundant; ample.
充沛
B2Abundant; plentiful; full of energy.
门禁卡
B2Access card; entry card.
门禁
B2Access control (system).
配件
B2Fittings; accessories; spare parts.
