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押金 (yā jīn) — deposit (refundable security deposit for renting or leasing)

Definition

押金 is a refundable security deposit paid when renting or leasing (a room, car, equipment) — you get it back later. Unlike 定金 (a non-refundable down payment that commits a purchase), 押金 is returned if conditions are met.

noun
deposit (refundable security deposit for renting or leasing)

Examples

  • 押金。
    Nǐ zū chē yě yào fù yā jīn.
    You also have to pay a deposit when renting a car.
  • ，押金。
    Tuì fáng yǐ hòu, yā jīn huì huán gěi nǐ.
    After checking out, the deposit will be returned to you.
  • 押金。
    yā jīn Shì liǎng qiān kuài qián.
    The deposit is two thousand yuan.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

押yāpledge
金jīnmoney

The word pairs 'pledge' with 'money' to mean money held as security.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
甲
甲jiǎ押yā
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

押 pairs 扌, a hand, with 甲, which gives the sound.

Open 押 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

金 was drawn with marks for two pieces of metal, along with a part that gave its sound; it first meant copper, then metals and gold.

Open 金 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 6Money & Currency

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