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酒钱 (jiǔ qián) — money for liquor; money spent on alcohol; tip; gratuity

Definition

Literally 'liquor money,' 酒钱 has two distinct senses: money spent on alcohol, and a small tip given to a server (originally a few coins for a drink). The two meanings are not interchangeable in context.

noun
money for liquormoney spent on alcoholtipgratuity

Examples

  • 酒钱。
    Tā měi gè yuè huā bù shǎo jiǔ qián zài mǎi jiǔ shàng.
    He spends quite a bit of money on liquor every month.
  • ，酒钱。
    Chī wán fàn, tā gěi le fú wù yuán yì xiē jiǔ qián.
    After the meal, he gave the waiter a tip.
  • ，酒钱。
    Zài gǔ dài, kè rén cháng gěi pú rén jiǔ qián zuò wéi shǎng cì.
    In ancient times, guests often gave servants a gratuity as a reward.

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.

酒jiǔliquor
钱qiánmoney

酒 (liquor) and 钱 (money) form money for liquor, later a tip.

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
水水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
酉
酉yǒu酒jiǔ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

酒 pairs 酉, the original picture for this word, with 水 (water), added later to distinguish it.

Open 酒 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 錢; 钱 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
金金jīnmetal; gold; money
Sound part声符shēngfú
戔
戔jiān錢qián
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 錢 combines 金, meaning metal or money, with 戔, which gives the sound; the simplified 钱 is a later shorthand.

Open 钱 →
Appears in
Money & Currency

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