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B1 noun 7 min read

煤气费

méiqì fèi

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 煤气费 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 煤气费 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to recognize that '煤气费' (méiqì fèi) means 'gas bill.' You might hear this when your teacher or a friend talks about things they have to do at home. It is a noun. You can think of it as three parts: '煤' (coal), '气' (gas), and '费' (fee). In very simple sentences, you can say '我交煤气费' (I pay the gas bill). At this stage, don't worry about the difference between natural gas and coal gas. Just remember it as one of the three main home bills along with water (水费) and electricity (电费).

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '煤气费' in basic daily conversations. You can describe how much it costs: '煤气费很贵' (The gas bill is very expensive) or '煤气费不便宜' (The gas bill is not cheap). You should also know the verb '交' (jiāo), which means 'to pay/hand over.' You can ask questions like '你交了煤气费吗？' (Did you pay the gas bill?). This is useful if you are living in a shared apartment. You might also start to see this word on your phone apps like Alipay or WeChat when you look at the 'Utilities' section.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more complex situations involving '煤气费.' You should be able to discuss the reasons why a bill might be high, such as '因为冬天冷，所以煤气费很高' (Because winter is cold, the gas bill is very high). You can use it in sentences with '为了' (in order to) to talk about saving money: '为了省煤气费，我不用热水' (In order to save on the gas bill, I don't use hot water). You should also recognize the more formal term '燃气费' (ránqì fèi) which often appears in official notices or digital payment menus, while still using '煤气费' in casual speech.

At the B2 level, you can use '煤气费' in discussions about household budgeting and energy consumption. You might talk about '煤气费涨价' (the price of gas bills increasing) and its impact on the cost of living. You should be comfortable using the word in passive structures or more complex grammar, such as '煤气费是按月收取的' (The gas bill is collected on a monthly basis). You also understand the cultural context that in many Chinese cities, the gas bill is managed through a prepaid card system or a smart meter, and you can explain this process using appropriate vocabulary.

At the C1 level, '煤气费' is a simple term that you use fluently within broader discussions about urban infrastructure, energy policy, or environmental issues. You might analyze the '阶梯式气价' (tiered gas pricing) and how it affects the '煤气费' for large families versus small ones. You can use the term in formal writing, perhaps when drafting a letter to a property management company about an error in the '煤气费' calculation. You understand the historical shift from actual coal gas to natural gas and why the term '煤气' persists in the lexicon despite the change in fuel source.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of the term '煤气费' and all its technical and colloquial nuances. You can discuss the socio-economic implications of utility subsidies on the average '煤气费' in different provinces. You can use the word in sophisticated metaphors or in high-level debates about energy security. You are aware of regional dialects where '煤气费' might be referred to differently, and you can navigate any administrative hurdle involving utility disputes with the same ease as a native speaker, using precise legal and financial terminology related to service fees.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

煤气费 in 30 Seconds

煤气费 (méiqì fèi) means 'gas bill.'
It is a common household utility term in China.
Usually paid via Alipay, WeChat, or at local banks.
Often used with the verb '交' (jiāo - to pay).

The term 煤气费 (méiqì fèi) is a fundamental compound noun in Chinese that translates directly to 'gas bill' or 'gas fee.' In the context of modern urban living in China, it refers to the monthly or quarterly charge for the consumption of gas used for cooking, heating water, or sometimes home heating. The word is composed of two parts: 煤气 (méiqì), meaning 'coal gas' or simply 'gas,' and 费 (fèi), meaning 'fee' or 'expense.'

Daily Life Context: In China, managing utilities is a core part of adult life. You will encounter this word when checking your Alipay (支付宝) or WeChat Pay (微信支付) utility sections. Unlike some Western countries where bills might be paid via bank draft automatically, many residents in China still manually 'top up' their gas meters or pay the bill after receiving a notification on their door or phone.
Linguistic Nuance: While '煤气' technically refers to coal gas, it is used colloquially to cover 'natural gas' (天然气) as well. However, in formal documents or modern apartment complexes, you might see '燃气费' (ránqì fèi) as a more accurate technical term, but '煤气费' remains the dominant spoken form for most families.

我得去银行交这个月的煤气费。(Wǒ děi qù yínháng jiāo zhè ge yuè de méiqì fèi.)
I have to go to the bank to pay this month's gas bill.

Understanding this word is crucial for anyone living in China or interacting with Chinese-speaking landlords. It belongs to the 'Utilities' (水电费) family, which usually includes water (水费), electricity (电费), and gas (煤气费). When a landlord says '不包水电煤' (bù bāo shuǐ diàn méi), they mean the rent does not include water, electricity, or gas costs.

最近煤气费涨价了。(Zuìjìn méiqì fèi zhǎngjià le.)
The price of the gas bill has gone up recently.

Economic Impact: During winter months, especially in Northern China or in apartments with gas-powered floor heating, the 煤气费 can skyrocket. Discussing the cost of the gas bill is a common 'small talk' topic among neighbors, similar to discussing the weather.

Using 煤气费 in a sentence typically involves verbs related to payment, checking, or complaining about costs. The most common verb paired with it is 交 (jiāo), which means 'to hand over' or 'to pay.'

Common Verb Pairings

交 (jiāo) / 付 (fù): To pay the bill.
查 (chá): To check the bill amount.
省 (shěng): To save on the gas bill.
欠 (qiàn): To owe a gas bill.

你查过这个月的煤气费了吗？(Nǐ chá guò zhè ge yuè de méiqì fèi le ma?)
Have you checked this month's gas bill?

When discussing the amount, you use adjectives like 贵 (guì - expensive), 便宜 (piányi - cheap), or 高 (gāo - high). Because utility bills are recurring, they are often quantified by time periods like 每个月 (měi ge yuè - every month) or 一个季度 (yī ge jìdù - a quarter).

为了省煤气费，我们很少开暖气。(Wèile shěng méiqì fèi, wǒmen hěn shǎo kāi nuǎnqì.)
In order to save on the gas bill, we rarely turn on the heating.

Complex Structures: In more advanced sentences, '煤气费' can be part of a relative clause. For example: '你上次帮我交的煤气费是多少钱？' (How much was the gas bill you helped me pay last time?). This demonstrates its flexibility as a standard noun.

You will encounter 煤气费 in several specific real-world scenarios. It is not a literary word; it is a 'ground-level' word used in domestic administration and neighborly interactions.

At the Property Management Office (物业): If your gas stops working, the first question the property manager will ask is: '你交煤气费了吗？' (Did you pay the gas bill?). In many complexes, the management office handles the initial setup or troubleshooting of utility payments.
Inside Mobile Apps: When you open Alipay and click on 'Utilities' (生活缴费), you will see '燃气费' or '煤气费' listed next to icons for water and electricity. This is the most common visual encounter with the word for the digital generation.

物业发通知说，大家的煤气费都要在十五号前交清。(Wùyè fā tōngzhī shuō, dàjiā de méiqì fèi dōu yào zài shíwǔ hào qián jiāoqīng.)
The property management sent a notice saying everyone's gas bills must be paid in full before the 15th.

In traditional markets or older neighborhoods, you might hear elderly residents complaining about the '煤气费' rising. It serves as a marker of the cost of living. In some cities, you might also hear about '煤气费' in the context of a 'gas card' (煤气卡) which needs to be inserted into the meter after being topped up at a convenience store or bank.

这是你家的煤气费单子。(Zhè shì nǐ jiā de méiqì fèi dānzi.)
This is your family's gas bill slip.

While 煤气费 is a straightforward term, English speakers often make mistakes regarding its scope and the verbs used with it.

Mistake 1: Confusing Gas with Petrol: In American English, 'gas' often refers to gasoline/petrol for a car. In Chinese, this is 汽油 (qìyóu) or 加油费 (jiāyóu fèi). Never use '煤气费' to talk about filling up your car. '煤气' is specifically for the gas used in stoves and boilers.
Mistake 2: Using the wrong 'Pay' verb: Learners sometimes use 还 (huán - to return/repay) because they think of a bill as a debt. While you can '还' a credit card bill, for utilities like '煤气费,' use 交 (jiāo) or 付 (fù). '交' is the most natural for public services.

Incorrect: 我去给车交煤气费。
Correct: 我去给车加油。(I'm going to gas up the car.)

Another nuance is the difference between 煤气 (méiqì) and 暖气 (nuǎnqì). In many Chinese cities, '暖气' (heating) is a separate bill paid once a year for the whole winter, whereas '煤气费' is the monthly bill for cooking and hot water. Don't assume the gas bill covers the winter heating unless you have an individual gas boiler in your apartment.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the 'Fee': Sometimes students say '我要交煤气' (I want to pay gas). This sounds like you are buying the gas itself in a tank. To refer to the utility bill, you must include '费' (fèi).

To expand your vocabulary, it's helpful to look at words related to utilities and different types of gas. While 煤气费 is common, other terms are more precise in certain contexts.

天然气费 (Tiānránqì fèi): This means 'Natural Gas Fee.' Modern residential areas almost exclusively use natural gas. While people say '煤气费' out of habit, '天然气费' is what you will see on official bank statements and government apps.
燃气费 (Ránqì fèi): This is the formal umbrella term for 'Fuel Gas Fee.' It covers coal gas, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas. It is the most professional term to use in business or legal contexts.

比较：
1. 俗话：交煤气费 (Casual)
2. 正式：缴纳燃气费 (Formal)

You should also know the other members of the 'Utility Bill' family to use them together in sentences:

💧 水费 (shuǐfèi) - Water bill
⚡ 电费 (diànfèi) - Electricity bill
📶 网费 (wǎngfèi) - Internet bill
🏢 物业费 (wùyèfèi) - Property management fee

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Even though almost all Chinese cities now use natural gas (天然气) instead of coal gas, people still call it '煤气费' because the habit of saying 'coal gas' stuck for over a hundred years.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /meɪ tʃiː feɪ/

US /meɪ tʃi feɪ/

The primary stress is on the first and last syllables: MEI-qi-FEI.

Rhymes With

内 (nèi) 给 (gěi) 类 (lèi) 背 (bèi) 对 (duì) 味 (wèi) 睡 (shuì) 会 (huì)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'qi' as 'kwee'. It should be 'chee'.
Pronouncing 'fei' as 'fee'. It should be 'fay'.
Using the third tone for 'mei' when it should be the second tone (rising).
Ignoring the fourth tone (falling) on 'fei'.
Confusing 'qi' with 'qu'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are common but '煤' is slightly complex for beginners.

Writing 3/5

Writing '煤' and '费' requires attention to stroke order.

Speaking 2/5

Three syllables, all easy to pronounce if tones are mastered.

Listening 1/5

Very distinct sounds, easy to pick out in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

煤 (Coal) 气 (Gas) 费 (Fee) 交 (To pay) 钱 (Money)

Learn Next

生活缴费 (Utility payment) 支付宝 (Alipay) 物业 (Property management) 暖气 (Heating)

Advanced

能源政策 (Energy policy) 阶梯气价 (Tiered gas pricing) 天然气管道 (Natural gas pipeline)

Grammar to Know

Noun + 费

水费、电费、学费、车费。

Verb '交' for public services

交税、交费、交作业。

Adjectives describing cost

费 + 很高/很低/很贵。

Time + Noun

这个月的煤气费、去年的煤气费。

Purpose with '为了'

为了省煤气费，他不开火。

Examples by Level

这是煤气费。

This is the gas bill.

Simple subject-verb-object.

我要交煤气费。

I want to pay the gas bill.

Using '要' (want) + verb + object.

煤气费多少钱？

How much is the gas bill?

Asking about price with '多少钱'.

煤气费不贵。

The gas bill is not expensive.

Negation with '不'.

他在查煤气费。

He is checking the gas bill.

Present continuous with '在'.

我的煤气费在哪？

Where is my gas bill?

Asking location with '在哪'.

妈妈交了煤气费。

Mom paid the gas bill.

Completed action with '了'.

一月煤气费十块。

The January gas bill is ten yuan.

Noun as a predicate for price.

这个月的煤气费太高了。

This month's gas bill is too high.

Using '太...了' for emphasis.

你可以帮我交煤气费吗？

Can you help me pay the gas bill?

Request with '帮' (help).

我们家每个月都要交煤气费。

Our family has to pay the gas bill every month.

Frequency with '每个月'.

煤气费比电费贵。

The gas bill is more expensive than the electricity bill.

Comparison with '比'.

你要去银行交煤气费吗？

Are you going to the bank to pay the gas bill?

Question with '吗'.

我忘了交煤气费了。

I forgot to pay the gas bill.

Verb '忘' (forget) + action.

这张煤气费单子是你的。

This gas bill slip is yours.

Measure word '张' for paper.

如果你不交煤气费，就没热水。

If you don't pay the gas bill, you won't have hot water.

Conditional '如果...就'.

因为最近做饭多，所以煤气费增加了。

Because I've been cooking a lot lately, the gas bill has increased.

Causal relationship with '因为...所以'.

我通常在手机上交煤气费，非常方便。

I usually pay the gas bill on my phone; it's very convenient.

Adverb '通常' (usually).

煤气费的账单还没寄到我家。

The gas bill hasn't been mailed to my house yet.

Passive meaning with '寄' (mail).

为了省点煤气费，我们换了新炉子。

To save a bit on the gas bill, we changed to a new stove.

Purpose clause with '为了'.

你知道去哪里交煤气费吗？

Do you know where to go to pay the gas bill?

Indirect question.

这个季度的煤气费一共是三百块。

The gas bill for this quarter is 300 yuan in total.

Total amount with '一共'.

如果你没时间，我可以代你交煤气费。

If you don't have time, I can pay the gas bill on your behalf.

Using '代' (on behalf of).

煤气费涨得太快了，我都快付不起了。

The gas bill is rising so fast, I almost can't afford it.

Potential complement '付不起' (cannot afford).

煤气费的波动主要受国际天然气价格影响。

Fluctuations in gas bills are mainly affected by international natural gas prices.

Passive structure with '受...影响'.

物业公司代收煤气费，并提供收据。

The property management company collects the gas bill on behalf and provides a receipt.

Formal verb '代收' (collect on behalf).

如果不及时缴纳煤气费，可能会面临停气。

If the gas bill is not paid in time, you may face a gas shut-off.

Formal term '缴纳' (pay) and '面临' (face).

通过支付宝缴纳煤气费已经成为了一种习惯。

Paying the gas bill via Alipay has already become a habit.

Using '通过' (via) to indicate method.

我们需要核对一下上个月的煤气费数额。

We need to verify the amount of last month's gas bill.

Formal verb '核对' (verify/check).

煤气费的高低直接关系到家庭的日常开支。

The amount of the gas bill is directly related to daily household expenses.

Structure 'A 的高低' (The level of A).

政府对煤气费进行了补贴，减轻了百姓负担。

The government subsidized the gas bill, reducing the burden on the people.

Using '对...进行' to apply an action.

由于管道维修，这个月的煤气费有所减免。

Due to pipe maintenance, there is a reduction in this month's gas bill.

Formal '有所' + noun/verb (to have some...).

实施阶梯式气价政策后，大户型的煤气费显著增加。

After implementing the tiered gas pricing policy, gas bills for large apartments increased significantly.

Formal '实施' (implement) and '显著' (significantly).

煤气费的计费标准应当向社会公开透明。

The billing standards for gas fees should be open and transparent to the society.

Modal '应当' (should) and compound '公开透明'.

针对煤气费异常偏高的问题，业主们发起了投诉。

Aiming at the problem of abnormally high gas bills, the owners initiated a complaint.

Structure '针对...的问题'.

能源结构的调整将长期影响居民的煤气费支出。

The adjustment of the energy structure will affect residents' gas bill expenditures in the long run.

Abstract noun '支出' (expenditure).

自动扣款功能确保了煤气费不会因为疏忽而逾期。

The automatic deduction function ensures that the gas bill will not be overdue due to negligence.

Using '确保' (ensure) and '疏忽' (negligence).

煤气费虽然只是小额开支，但累积起来也不容小觑。

Although the gas bill is only a small expense, it should not be underestimated when accumulated.

Idiomatic expression '不容小觑' (not to be underestimated).

供气公司应优化流程，方便居民查询煤气费明细。

The gas supply company should optimize the process to make it easier for residents to query gas bill details.

Using '明细' (details/itemized list).

煤气费的欠费记录可能会影响个人的信用评分。

A record of unpaid gas bills might affect an individual's credit score.

Complex subject '欠费记录' (unpaid record).

煤气费的定价机制反映了国家对基础能源供应的宏观调控。

The pricing mechanism of gas bills reflects the state's macro-control over basic energy supply.

Technical term '宏观调控' (macro-control).

在通货膨胀背景下，煤气费的微调往往牵动着万千家庭的神经。

In the context of inflation, minor adjustments to the gas bill often affect the nerves of thousands of families.

Metaphorical use of '牵动...的神经'.

通过大数据分析，供气公司可以更精准地预测煤气费的整体趋势。

Through big data analysis, gas companies can more accurately predict the overall trend of gas bills.

Using '通过...可以' for technical methods.

关于煤气费收取的合法性辩论在法律界引起了广泛关注。

The debate regarding the legality of gas fee collection has attracted widespread attention in the legal community.

Formal subject '关于...的辩论'.

煤气费的减免政策在疫情期间为中小企业提供了喘息之机。

The gas bill reduction policy provided a breathing space for small and medium-sized enterprises during the pandemic.

Idiomatic '喘息之机' (breathing space).

居民对煤气费透明度的诉求促使了相关法规的进一步完善。

Residents' demands for transparency in gas bills prompted the further improvement of relevant regulations.

Causal '促使' (prompt/drive).

煤气费的征收必须严格遵循物价部门核定的标准。

The collection of gas bills must strictly follow the standards approved by the price department.

Formal '遵循' (follow/adhere to).

在全球能源转型的当下，煤气费的构成正在发生深刻的变化。

In the current era of global energy transition, the composition of gas bills is undergoing profound changes.

Temporal phrase '在...的当下'.

Common Collocations

交煤气费

欠煤气费

查煤气费

省煤气费

煤气费单子

煤气费标准

煤气费逾期

代交煤气费

煤气费涨价

煤气费余额

Common Phrases

水电煤费

— Water, electricity, and gas fees combined.

水电煤费一共两百块。

交不起煤气费

— Cannot afford to pay the gas bill.

失业后他交不起煤气费。

煤气费收据

— Gas bill receipt.

请保留煤气费收据。

自动扣缴煤气费

— Automatic gas bill payment.

我设置了自动扣缴煤气费。

煤气费涨了

— The gas bill has gone up.

听说下个月煤气费涨了。

煤气费减免

— Gas bill reduction or waiver.

政府有煤气费减免政策。

补交煤气费

— To pay the overdue gas bill.

我得去补交煤气费。

分摊煤气费

— To split the gas bill.

室友们一起分摊煤气费。

煤气费明细

— The details/breakdown of the gas bill.

打印一份煤气费明细。

煤气费通知单

— Gas bill notification slip.

门上贴着煤气费通知单。

Often Confused With

煤气费 vs 汽油费

This is for car petrol/gasoline. 煤气费 is for the home.

煤气费 vs 暖气费

This is specifically for winter heating, often a separate flat fee.

煤气费 vs 电费

Electricity bill. Easy to mix up when looking at a list of utilities.

Idioms & Expressions

"柴米油盐"

— Daily necessities (firewood, rice, oil, salt). While not including 'gas' directly, it refers to the same domestic life category.

生活就是柴米油盐。

Common

"精打细算"

— To calculate carefully; to be very frugal with things like 煤气费.

他过日子精打细算。

Common

"入不敷出"

— Income not meeting expenses; can't even pay the 煤气费.

他家现在入不敷出。

Literary

"开源节流"

— Increase income and reduce expenditure (like saving on gas).

我们要开源节流。

Formal

"民生问题"

— Livelihood issues; 煤气费 is a classic example.

煤气费是重要的民生问题。

Formal

"家大业大"

— Large family and big business; usually means the gas bill is huge.

家大业大，煤气费也多。

Colloquial

"斤斤计较"

— To haggle over every penny (like splitting a gas bill).

别为这点煤气费斤斤计较。

Negative

"一毛不拔"

— Very stingy; won't even pay their share of the gas bill.

他这个人一毛不拔。

Negative

"节衣缩食"

— To live very frugally to save money.

为了省煤气费，他们节衣缩食。

Literary

"物美价廉"

— Good quality and cheap; used if the gas service is cheap.

这里的气费真是物美价廉。

Common

Easily Confused

煤气费 vs 煤气

It's the gas itself.

煤气 is the substance; 煤气费 is the bill for the substance.

煤气漏了 (The gas leaked) vs 煤气费贵 (The gas bill is high).

煤气费 vs 燃气

Synonym.

燃气 is more formal and technical.

燃气公司 (Gas company).

煤气费 vs 汽油

Both translate to 'gas' in English.

汽油 is for cars; 煤气 is for stoves.

去加油站加汽油。

煤气费 vs 口气

Both have '气'.

口气 means 'tone of voice' or 'breath'.

他口气很大。

煤气费 vs 力气

Both have '气'.

力气 means 'physical strength'.

我没力气了。

Sentence Patterns

这是 + [noun]

这是煤气费。

[subject] + 交了 + [noun]

我交了煤气费。

为了 + [action], [subject] + [action]

为了省煤气费，我不洗热水澡。

因为...所以...

因为没交煤气费，所以没气了。

[noun] + 受 + [factor] + 影响

煤气费受季节影响。

针对...的问题

针对煤气费过高的问题，我们要调查。

...反映了...

煤气费的调整反映了市场变化。

在...背景下

在能源短缺背景下，煤气费上涨是必然的。

Word Family

Nouns

煤气

费用

燃气

天然气

账单

Verbs

花费

浪费

消费

付费

Adjectives

昂贵

费劲

费时

水费

电费

暖气费

物业费

网费

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in domestic life.

Common Mistakes

Saying '我要付煤气' (I want to pay gas). → 我要交煤气费。
You must include '费' to indicate you are paying the bill, not buying the gas itself.
Confusing 煤气费 with 汽油费. → 我要给车加油。
煤气 is for homes; 汽油 is for cars.
Using '还' (huán) instead of '交' (jiāo). → 交煤气费。
'还' is for returning things or repaying loans. '交' is for fees.
Thinking 煤气费 always includes heating. → 暖气费是分开的。
In many cities, central heating is a separate annual bill.
Writing '费' incorrectly. → Check the bottom is '贝'.
The stroke order of the top part of '费' is also specific.

Tips

Pronunciation

Practice the 4th tone on '费' (fèi). It should sound like a sharp drop, like you're dropping a heavy bag.

Prepaid Meters

If your gas suddenly stops, check if you have a prepaid meter. You might just need to top up your card or app.

Verb Usage

Always use '交' (jiāo) for paying bills. It’s the standard verb for utilities and fees.

The Utility Trio

Memorize '水、电、煤' (Water, Electricity, Gas) as a single group. They are almost always mentioned together.

App Navigation

Look for the icon that looks like a small flame in your payment app; that’s usually the button for 煤气费.

Safety First

If you smell gas, that’s a '煤气泄漏' (gas leak). Don't worry about the '费' then; just get out!

Saving Money

In winter, using an electric heater might sometimes be cheaper than the gas bill, depending on local rates.

Historical Context

Knowing that '煤' means coal helps you remember the word even though we use natural gas now.

Neighbor Talk

Complaining about the '煤气费' is a great way to bond with elderly Chinese neighbors.

Contextual Learning

Next time you see a blue flame on a stove, say '煤气' to yourself to reinforce the word.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a piece of COAL (煤) releasing GAS (气) into a stove, and then a hand reaching out for a FEE (费).

Visual Association

A blue flame on a stove with a price tag attached to the burner.

Word Web

Stove Flame Money Bill Kitchen Winter Heating Alipay

Challenge

Try to say 'I need to pay the gas bill' in Chinese three times fast: '我要交煤气费，我要交煤气费，我要交煤气费'.

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '煤' (coal) + '气' (gas) comes from the historical use of coal gasification to provide energy for homes in the early 20th century. '费' (fee) is a classical Chinese character meaning expense.

Original meaning: The cost associated with using gas produced from coal.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

None. It is a neutral, practical term.

In the US/UK, gas is often bundled with electricity in one 'Energy Bill,' whereas in China, they are almost always separate line items or separate payments.

Mentioned in many 'slice of life' Chinese TV dramas (like 'Ode to Joy') where roommates argue over bills.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At home with family

煤气费贵吗？
谁去交煤气费？
煤气费单子在哪？
省点煤气费。

Talking to a landlord

房租包煤气费吗？
煤气费怎么算？
我要看煤气费账单。
煤气费我自己交。

Using a payment app

点击煤气费。
输入户号。
查询欠费。
立即缴费。

At the bank

我要交煤气费。
这里可以交煤气费吗？
这是我的煤气卡。
给我一张收据。

In a news report

煤气费上调。
调整计费标准。
补贴煤气费。
能源价格波动。

Conversation Starters

"你觉得这个月的煤气费贵不贵？"

"你在哪里交煤气费？手机上还是银行？"

"你们家的煤气费一般一个月多少钱？"

"你知道怎么在支付宝上查煤气费吗？"

"如果我们不用烤箱，煤气费会少一点吗？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你第一次在异国他乡交煤气费的经历。

对比一下你家乡和中国煤气费的价格差异。

如果你是市长，你会如何调整煤气费来帮助穷人？

记录一下为了省煤气费，你采取过哪些行动。

描述一下如果有一天煤气费变得非常贵，你的生活会发生什么变化。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, water is '水费' (shuǐfèi). They are usually separate bills in China.

Most people use the 'Utilities' section in Alipay or WeChat Pay. You enter your customer ID and pay directly.

Generally, it is quite affordable compared to many Western countries, unless you use gas for floor heating in winter.

The gas company will eventually cut off your supply. You will need to pay the bill and possibly a late fee to get it restored.

In some cities, yes, if they have a payment terminal, but mobile apps are much more common now.

煤气 is coal gas; 天然气 is natural gas. Most cities use natural gas now, but still call the bill '煤气费'.

It depends on the city and the meter type. Some are monthly, some are based on a prepaid card you top up when needed.

Usually, the tenant pays utilities. You should check your rental contract to see if it says '包水电煤' (includes utilities).

It is a physical card used with older smart meters. You load money onto the card at a bank and then insert it into your home meter.

Yes, most Chinese banking apps and payment platforms like Alipay allow for '自动扣费' (automatic deduction).