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A1 noun 9 min read

人民币

renminbi
Examples Notes & Tips 人民币 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 人民币 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that '人民币' (Rénmínbì) means 'the money used in China.' You should recognize it on signs at the airport or in a bank. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember that if someone asks you for 'Rénmínbì,' they are asking for Chinese cash. You might learn it alongside basic numbers so you can understand prices like '一百元人民币' (100 Yuan RMB). Focus on recognizing the characters: '人' (person), '民' (people), and '币' (currency). It's the most basic 'official' word for money you will encounter when you first land in China.
At the A2 level, you should be able to use '人民币' in simple transactional sentences. For example, you can ask a shopkeeper, '可以用人民币吗？' (Can I use Renminbi?). You should also understand the difference between the formal '人民币' and the informal '块' (kuài). At this stage, you are likely learning about travel and shopping, so knowing how to specify the currency is helpful if you are carrying multiple types of cash (like dollars and RMB). You should also be able to read simple receipts where 'RMB' or '人民币' is printed next to the total amount.
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At the B1 level, you can start using '人民币' in more descriptive contexts, such as discussing travel budgets or simple banking tasks. You might say, '我需要去银行把美元换成人民币' (I need to go to the bank to change US dollars into Renminbi). You should also be aware of the currency's subunits: '角' (jiǎo) and '分' (fēn), although '分' is rarely used now. You can describe your experiences with Chinese money, such as the colors of the notes or the fact that digital payments are more common than physical '人民币' notes in big cities.
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At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '人民币' in discussions about the economy, exchange rates, and business. You can use terms like '汇率' (exchange rate) and '升值/贬值' (appreciate/depreciate) in conjunction with '人民币.' For example, '人民币汇率的波动对出口贸易有很大影响' (Fluctuations in the Renminbi exchange rate have a great impact on export trade). You should also understand the cultural significance of the currency's name and its role as a symbol of China's growing economic power on the world stage.
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At the C1 level, your usage of '人民币' should be precise and nuanced. You can discuss complex financial topics such as '人民币国际化' (the internationalization of the Renminbi) or the '离岸人民币' (offshore Renminbi - CNH). You should be able to read financial news reports and understand the implications of central bank policies on the currency's value. Your vocabulary should include professional collocations like '人民币结算' (Renminbi settlement) and '人民币债券' (Renminbi bonds). You can engage in deep conversations about how the currency reflects China's geopolitical strategies.
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At the C2 level, you have a near-native understanding of '人民币' in all contexts—legal, financial, historical, and colloquial. You can analyze the long-term historical evolution of the currency since the founding of the People's Republic of China. You are capable of discussing the technical aspects of the '数字人民币' (Digital RMB) and its impact on global financial systems. You can write academic papers or high-level business reports using the term with perfect grammatical accuracy and stylistic appropriateness. You understand the subtle connotations of the term in various political and economic discourses.
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Examples Notes & Tips

人民币 in 30 Seconds

  • Renminbi (RMB) is the official currency of Mainland China, literally meaning 'People's Currency.'
  • It is issued by the People's Bank of China and is the only legal tender accepted in the country.
  • The basic unit is the Yuan, but the currency system itself is always called Renminbi in formal contexts.
  • It is increasingly used in international finance and is symbolized by ¥ or the code CNY.

The term 人民币 (Rénmínbì) is the official name for the currency used in the People's Republic of China. Literally translated as 'People's Currency,' it represents the legal tender issued by the People's Bank of China. While many learners are familiar with the term 'Yuan' (元), it is important to understand that 'Renminbi' is the name of the currency system itself, whereas 'Yuan' is the basic unit of that currency. It is analogous to the relationship between 'Sterling' and 'Pounds' in the United Kingdom. In daily life, you will hear this word in formal contexts such as banking, news reports, and international trade discussions. It carries a sense of officiality and national identity, reflecting the economic sovereignty of the nation since its introduction in 1948.

Official Nomenclature
The term 人民币 is used when referring to the currency as a whole or in formal financial documents. For example, 'The exchange rate of Renminbi' is 人民币汇率.
Linguistic Components
'人民' (rénmín) means 'the people,' and '币' (bì) means 'currency' or 'money.' Together, they emphasize that the money belongs to the citizenry.

请问这里可以用人民币付款吗？(Excuse me, can I pay with Renminbi here?)

Historically, the Renminbi has undergone several series of designs, each featuring prominent Chinese leaders, ethnic groups, and iconic landscapes. The most recent series prominently features Mao Zedong on the front of all banknotes, while the reverse sides showcase famous landmarks like the Potala Palace or the Three Gorges. Understanding this word is essential for anyone traveling to China or engaging in business, as it is the only legal tender accepted throughout the mainland. Even with the rise of digital payment systems like WeChat Pay and Alipay, the underlying currency being transferred is always Renminbi.

中国银行负责发行人民币。(The Bank of China is responsible for issuing Renminbi.)

Global Context
As China's economy has grown, the Renminbi has become an increasingly important global reserve currency, often referred to by its ISO code, CNY, or sometimes CNH when traded offshore.

When you visit a currency exchange booth, you will see 'RMB' or 'CNY' listed on the board. Both refer to 人民币. It is also fascinating to note the shift towards the Digital Renminbi (e-CNY), which is a central bank digital currency (CBDC) currently being piloted in various cities across China. This modernization reflects the currency's evolution from physical paper to a high-tech digital asset, yet the name remains the same, anchoring the modern economy to its foundational 'People's' identity.

Using 人民币 correctly requires an understanding of its role as a formal noun. Unlike the word 'Yuan' (元), which acts as a measure word for currency units, 'Renminbi' acts as the name of the object itself. You don't usually say 'five Renminbi' (五人民币); instead, you say 'five Yuan Renminbi' (五元人民币) or simply 'five Yuan' (五元).

这件衣服的价格是一百元人民币。(The price of this piece of clothing is one hundred Yuan Renminbi.)

In grammatical structures, 人民币 often follows prepositions like '用' (yòng, to use) or '换' (huàn, to exchange). When you go to a bank to swap US Dollars for Chinese currency, you are 'exchanging for Renminbi.' This is a common scenario where the full formal name is used to avoid ambiguity.

Common Verb Pairings
兑换 (duìhuàn) - to exchange; 支付 (zhīfù) - to pay; 贬值 (biǎnzhí) - to depreciate; 升值 (shēngzhí) - to appreciate.

Furthermore, 人民币 is frequently used in compound nouns. For instance, 'Renminbi exchange rate' is '人民币汇率' (Rénmínbì huìlǜ), and 'Renminbi internationalization' is '人民币国际化' (Rénmínbì guójìhuà). These terms are staples of financial news and business discussions. If you are writing a formal essay about the Chinese economy, you should consistently use 人民币 rather than the more colloquial '钱' or '块'.

他手里拿着几张人民币。(He is holding a few Renminbi banknotes in his hand.)

It is also worth noting that in international contexts, the symbol ¥ is used for Renminbi, which is the same symbol used for the Japanese Yen. To distinguish them, you might see 'RMB¥' or 'CNY¥'. In spoken Chinese, if there is any doubt about which currency is being discussed, adding '人民币' after the amount clarifies that you are not talking about dollars, euros, or yen.

由于汇率波动，人民币最近有所升值。(Due to exchange rate fluctuations, the Renminbi has appreciated recently.)

While 'Renminbi' is the formal name, you will encounter it in specific real-world environments. The most common place is at a bank (银行). Whether you are opening a bank account in China or exchanging currency at an airport counter, the staff will use the term 人民币 to refer to the funds. They might ask, '您要换多少人民币？' (How much Renminbi do you want to exchange?). This sets a professional tone for the transaction.

Another major venue for this word is news broadcasts and newspapers. Financial anchors on CCTV or writers for the People's Daily constantly discuss the 'Renminbi's value' or 'Renminbi policies.' In these contexts, using the word 'money' (钱) would be seen as too informal and imprecise. If you are listening to a podcast about global economics, 'Renminbi' will be the standard term used to describe China's monetary influence.

今日人民币对美元汇率中间价下调。(Today, the central parity rate of the Renminbi against the US dollar was lowered.)

You will also see this word on legal documents and contracts. If you are signing a rental agreement in Beijing or a business contract with a Chinese supplier, the currency will always be specified as '人民币 (RMB)' to ensure there is no legal ambiguity regarding the payment type. It is the 'official' label that protects the interests of both parties in a legal setting.

Public Signage
At tourist attractions, you might see signs saying 'Only Renminbi Accepted' (仅限人民币支付). This is crucial for foreign tourists to know before they attempt to use foreign cash.

In the digital realm, mobile apps for banking or investment often display '人民币' next to your balance. For example, in the 'Wallet' section of WeChat, you might see your balance listed as 'CNY' or '人民币.' This clarifies that the digital numbers represent actual national currency. Even in high-end shopping malls, while the price tags might just show a number and a symbol, the receipts will often print '人民币' as the currency denomination.

这张假钞看起来很像真的人民币。(This counterfeit note looks very much like real Renminbi.)

One of the most frequent mistakes beginners make is using 人民币 as a measure word. In English, we can say 'five dollars,' but in Chinese, you cannot say '五人民币' (wǔ rénmínbì). You must use the unit '元' (yuán) or the colloquial '块' (kuài). '人民币' is the *type* of money, not the *unit* of counting. To say 'five dollars' worth of Chinese money,' you would say '五元人民币' (wǔ yuán rénmínbì).

Mistake: Counting with Renminbi
Incorrect: 我有十人民币。 (I have ten Renminbi.)
Correct: 我有十块钱。 or 我有十元人民币。

Another mistake is confusing 'Renminbi' with 'Yuan' in formal writing. While they are often used interchangeably in English, in a Chinese financial context, 'Renminbi' refers to the currency system, while 'Yuan' is the unit. Using 'Yuan' to describe the currency system in a formal economic paper might be seen as slightly less professional than using 'Renminbi.'

很多人错误地认为“元”和“人民币”完全一样。(Many people mistakenly believe that 'Yuan' and 'Renminbi' are exactly the same.)

Pronunciation is also a hurdle. The 'r' in 'Rén' is a retroflex sound, similar to the 'r' in 'read' but with the tongue curled back further. The 'bì' is a fourth tone, which should be sharp and falling. Learners often pronounce 'bì' with a flat tone, which can make it harder for native speakers to understand in a fast conversation. Practice the transition between the rising second tone of 'rén', the rising second tone of 'mín', and the falling fourth tone of 'bì'.

Lastly, learners sometimes forget that '人民币' is only used for the currency of Mainland China. Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong Dollar (港币 - gǎngbì), Macau uses the Pataca (澳门币 - àoménbì), and Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar (新台币 - xīntáibì). Using 'Renminbi' in these regions might be technically incorrect for local transactions, though many places in HK/Macau now accept it due to tourism.

To truly master the vocabulary of money in Chinese, you need to know how 人民币 compares to other related terms. The most common alternative is 钱 (qián), which is the general word for 'money.' While '人民币' is specific, '钱' is universal. You would say '我有钱' (I have money), not '我有人民币' unless you were specifically clarifying you don't have dollars.

人民币 vs. 元 (Yuán)
人民币 is the name of the currency; 元 is the unit of the currency. Example: 'The Renminbi is the currency, and this coffee costs 20 Yuan.'
人民币 vs. 块 (Kuài)
块 is the colloquial version of 元. In a market, you use 块; in a bank or on a contract, you use 人民币 or 元.

他把美元换成了人民币。(He converted US dollars into Renminbi.)

Another set of similar words includes the names of other currencies. For example, 美元 (Měiyuán) for US Dollars, 欧元 (Ōuyuán) for Euros, and 日元 (Rìyuán) for Japanese Yen. Notice the pattern: Country/Region name + 元. However, China doesn't follow this '中元' pattern; it uses the unique 'Renminbi' (People's Currency) name to reflect its political ideology.

In formal financial contexts, you might also hear 通货 (tōnghuò), which means 'currency' in an economic sense. However, this is very academic. Most people stick to 人民币. If you are discussing the physical notes, you might use 纸币 (zhǐbì) (paper money) or 硬币 (yìngbì) (coins). You could say '一张人民币纸币' (one Renminbi banknote).

虽然他有很多人民币，但他想换一些欧元。(Although he has a lot of Renminbi, he wants to exchange some for Euros.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The first series of Renminbi had 12 denominations and 62 designs, including a 50,000 yuan note! Today, the largest note is only 100 yuan.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˌrɛnˈmɪnbiː/
US /ˌrɛnˈmɪnbi/
Rén-mín-bì (Second-Second-Fourth)
Rhymes With
币 (bì) rhymes with 地 (dì - earth) 币 (bì) rhymes with 意 (yì - meaning) 币 (bì) rhymes with 记 (jì - remember) 民 (mín) rhymes with 林 (lín - forest) 民 (mín) rhymes with 亲 (qīn - dear) 人 (rén) rhymes with 门 (mén - door) 人 (rén) rhymes with 真 (zhēn - real) 人 (rén) rhymes with 晨 (chén - morning)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'Rén' like 'Wren' (it should be a retroflex 'r').
  • Using a flat first tone for 'bì' instead of a falling fourth tone.
  • Mumbling the 'mín' syllable so it sounds like 'men'.
  • Stressing the wrong syllable in English (e.g., REN-min-bi).
  • Confusing the 'b' in 'bì' with a 'p' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are relatively simple for beginners to recognize, especially '人'.

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Examples by Level

1

这是人民币。

This is Renminbi.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

2

我有人民币。

I have Renminbi.

Uses the verb '有' to show possession.

3

一百元人民币。

One hundred Yuan Renminbi.

Number + Unit + Currency Name.

4

你要人民币吗？

Do you want Renminbi?

Simple question using '吗'.

5

人民币很漂亮。

Renminbi is very beautiful.

Subject + Adverb + Adjective.

6

这是五元人民币。

This is five Yuan Renminbi.

Specifying the amount and currency.

7

我不收人民币。

I don't accept Renminbi.

Negative sentence using '不'.

8

请给我人民币。

Please give me Renminbi.

Polite request using '请'.

1

你可以用人民币付钱。

You can use Renminbi to pay.

Auxiliary verb '可以' + '用' (use).

2

我想换一点人民币。

I want to exchange some Renminbi.

Verb '换' (exchange) + '一点' (a little).

3

这里只能用人民币。

Only Renminbi can be used here.

'只能' means 'only can'.

4

你带了多少人民币？

How much Renminbi did you bring?

Question word '多少' (how much).

5

人民币有很多种颜色。

Renminbi has many colors.

Describing variety.

6

我要去银行取人民币。

I am going to the bank to withdraw Renminbi.

Serial verb construction: go + bank + withdraw.

7

这双鞋五十元人民币。

These shoes are fifty Yuan Renminbi.

Price sentence without a verb.

8

我不喜欢带人民币现金。

I don't like carrying Renminbi cash.

Verb '喜欢' + '带' (carry) + '现金' (cash).

1

由于旅游，我换了三千元人民币。

Because of traveling, I exchanged three thousand Yuan Renminbi.

Cause and effect using '由于'.

2

人民币和美元的汇率是多少？

What is the exchange rate between Renminbi and US dollars?

A and B '的' + Noun.

3

他在中国工作，所以拿的是人民币工资。

He works in China, so he receives a Renminbi salary.

Compound sentence with '所以'.

4

如果你去香港，最好也带点人民币。

If you go to Hong Kong, it's best to bring some Renminbi too.

Conditional '如果...最好...'.

5

这张人民币看起来有点旧了。

This Renminbi note looks a bit old.

Verb '看起来' (looks like).

6

我不确定这里是否接受人民币。

I am not sure whether Renminbi is accepted here.

Embedded question with '是否'.

7

请把这些美元都换成人民币。

Please change all these US dollars into Renminbi.

The '把' construction for change of state.

8

人民币在国际上越来越受欢迎。

Renminbi is becoming more and more popular internationally.

'越来越' (more and more).

1

人民币的升值对出口商来说是个挑战。

The appreciation of the Renminbi is a challenge for exporters.

Topic-comment structure.

2

政府正在努力推动人民币国际化。

The government is working hard to promote the internationalization of the Renminbi.

Progressive aspect '正在'.

3

人民币汇率的稳定对全球经济至关重要。

The stability of the Renminbi exchange rate is crucial to the global economy.

'对...至关重要' (crucial to...).

4

许多国家开始使用人民币作为储备货币。

Many countries have started using Renminbi as a reserve currency.

'作为' (as/in the capacity of).

5

尽管有波动，人民币依然保持强势。

Despite fluctuations, the Renminbi remains strong.

Concession clause '尽管...依然...'.

6

数字人民币的试点工作已经在多个城市展开。

Pilot work for the digital Renminbi has been launched in several cities.

Passive/Resultative '展开'.

7

投资者密切关注人民币的走势。

Investors are closely watching the Renminbi's trends.

Adverb '密切' (closely) + Verb.

8

人民币贬值可能会导致进口商品价格上涨。

Renminbi depreciation may lead to a rise in the price of imported goods.

Probability '可能会' + Result '导致'.

1

人民币正式加入国际货币基金组织的特别提款权货币篮子。

The Renminbi officially joined the IMF's Special Drawing Rights (SDR) currency basket.

Formal administrative language.

2

央行通过公开市场操作来调节人民币流动性。

The central bank regulates Renminbi liquidity through open market operations.

Instrumental '通过...来...'.

3

人民币跨境支付系统的建立提高了结算效率。

The establishment of the Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) for Renminbi has improved settlement efficiency.

Abstract noun phrase as subject.

4

人民币的汇率形成机制正变得更加市场化。

The Renminbi's exchange rate formation mechanism is becoming more market-oriented.

Complexity in noun compounding.

5

离岸人民币市场的发展为投资者提供了更多选择。

The development of the offshore Renminbi market has provided investors with more options.

Subject-Verb-Object with extended modifiers.

6

人民币在双边贸易结算中的占比持续上升。

The proportion of Renminbi in bilateral trade settlements continues to rise.

Formal term '占比' (proportion).

7

人民币资产对全球投资者的吸引力日益增强。

The attractiveness of Renminbi assets to global investors is increasing day by day.

Adverb '日益' (day by day).

8

人民币的购买力反映了中国经济的韧性。

The purchasing power of the Renminbi reflects the resilience of the Chinese economy.

Metaphorical use of '韧性' (resilience).

1

人民币国际化不仅是经济议题，更是地缘政治战略的体现。

The internationalization of the Renminbi is not only an economic issue but also a manifestation of geopolitical strategy.

Coordinating conjunction '不仅...更是...'.

2

数字人民币的推广或将重塑全球跨境支付的格局。

The promotion of the digital Renminbi may reshape the landscape of global cross-border payments.

Formal '或将' (may/will likely).

3

人民币汇率的“破七”曾引起国际金融市场的剧烈震荡。

The Renminbi exchange rate 'breaking seven' once caused violent shocks in international financial markets.

Quotation marks for specific financial jargon.

4

人民币作为锚货币的潜力在亚洲区域内日益凸显。

The potential of the Renminbi as an anchor currency is becoming increasingly prominent within the Asian region.

Formal '凸显' (to become prominent).

5

央行对人民币汇率预期管理的有效性得到了市场验证。

The effectiveness of the central bank's management of Renminbi exchange rate expectations has been verified by the market.

Highly complex nominalization.

6

人民币的资本项目可兑换性是金融改革的关键环节。

The capital account convertibility of the Renminbi is a key link in financial reform.

Specialized economic terminology.

7

在全球去美元化的趋势下，人民币的作用备受关注。

Under the trend of global de-dollarization, the role of the Renminbi has attracted much attention.

Passive/Stative '备受' (to receive much of).

8

人民币的信用基础建立在国家综合实力之上。

The credit foundation of the Renminbi is built upon the comprehensive strength of the nation.

Prepositional phrase '建立在...之上'.

Common Collocations

人民币汇率
兑换人民币
人民币升值
人民币贬值
数字人民币
人民币结算
人民币国际化
离岸人民币
伪造人民币
人民币符号

Common Phrases

人民币玩家

— In gaming, a player who spends real money to gain advantages. Often used jokingly.

他是个人民币玩家，装备特别好。

人民币贬值压力

— Economic pressure causing the currency value to drop.

目前人民币贬值压力较大。

人民币中间价

— The central parity rate set by the bank.

关注今日人民币中间价。

一元人民币

— One unit of the currency.

这是一元人民币。

人民币基金

— An investment fund denominated in RMB.

他投资了一只人民币基金。

人民币大钞

— Banknotes with high denominations (like 100 RMB).

我手里只有人民币大钞。

人民币零钱

— Small change in RMB.

你有人民币零钱吗？

人民币业务

— Banking services involving RMB.

这家银行提供人民币业务。

人民币债券

— Bonds issued in RMB.

人民币债券受到欢迎。

人民币贷款

— A loan provided in RMB.

他申请了人民币贷款。

Idioms & Expressions

"金钱至上"

— Money is the most important thing. While not using the word RMB, it relates to the culture of money.

他这种金钱至上的观念不可取。

informal
"一字千金"

— A single word is worth a thousand pieces of gold; highly valuable writing.

这篇文章写得真好，真是一字千金。

literary
"挥金如土"

— To spend money like dirt; to be very extravagant.

他花钱挥金如土。

informal
"财源滚滚"

— May wealth flow in like a rolling river.

祝你新年快乐，财源滚滚！

informal
"爱财如命"

— To love money as much as one's life; to be stingy.

他这个人爱财如命。

informal
"见钱眼开"

— To become greedy at the sight of money.

他一见到钱就见钱眼开。

informal
"腰缠万贯"

— To have a huge sum of money around one's waist; very wealthy.

他现在已经是腰缠万贯的大老板了。

formal
"富可敌国"

— Wealthy enough to rival a nation.

他的财富简直富可敌国。

literary
"千金散尽"

— To spend all of one's fortune.

即使千金散尽，他也不后悔。

literary
"不名一文"

— To not have a single cent; penniless.

他现在穷得不名一文。

formal

Word Family

Nouns

钱 (qián) - money
货币 (huòbì) - currency
纸币 (zhǐbì) - banknote
硬币 (yìngbì) - coin

Verbs

支付 (zhīfù) - to pay
兑换 (duìhuàn) - to exchange
消费 (xiāofèi) - to consume/spend

Adjectives

昂贵 (ángguì) - expensive
便宜 (piányi) - cheap
富有 (fùyǒu) - wealthy

Related

元 (yuán)
角 (jiǎo)
分 (fēn)
银行 (yínháng)
汇率 (huìlǜ)
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'REN' as 'person', 'MIN' as 'mint' (where money is made), and 'BI' as 'bill'. The People's Mint Bill.

Visual Association

Visualize a 100-yuan red bill with Mao Zedong's face on it. Associate the red color with the 'People's' (Communist) identity.

Word Web

Bank Yuan China Payment Exchange Cash Wallet Market

Challenge

Try to go through your day and every time you see a price, think 'That is [Number] Yuan Renminbi.' Even if you aren't in China!

Word Origin

The term was established in 1948 by the People's Bank of China shortly before the founding of the People's Republic. It was designed to unify the various local currencies used in communist-controlled areas.

Original meaning: People's (人民) Currency (币).

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese).

Cultural Context

Be respectful of the currency; defacing banknotes is illegal and culturally frowned upon in China.

English speakers often call it 'Yuan' exclusively, which can lead to confusion when they see 'RMB' or 'CNY' on financial documents.

The 'Redback' - a nickname used by financial media to compare it to the US 'Greenback'. The 'Petroyuan' - a concept of using RMB for oil trades. The 'Square-holed coin' - the ancient ancestor of the modern 币.
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