Understanding "花费" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 花费
• Pinyin: huā fèi
• Literal Meaning: "Flower spend" (花 = flower; 费 = spend/cost)
• Primary Meaning: To spend (money, time, or effort); expenditure

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  "花费" is a verb-noun pair used to describe the act of spending resources, most commonly money or time. It emphasizes the consumption of something valuable, often with a neutral or slightly negative connotation (e.g., implying effort or sacrifice).
• As a verb: "花费时间" (spend time), "花费金钱" (spend money).

• As a noun: "很大的花费" (a large expense).
  Nuance: Compared to "花" (huā, to spend casually), "花费" feels more formal and emphasizes the "cost" aspect.

• Character Breakdown:

• 花 (huā): Literally "flower," but here it means "to spend" (derived from the idea of flowers wilting, symbolizing resources being used up).
• 费 (fèi): Means "expense" or "to cost," reinforcing the idea of consumption.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 这个项目花费了很多钱。
   Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù huāfèile hěnduō qián.
   English: This project cost a lot of money.

2. Chinese: 她花费了三小时完成作业。
   Pinyin: Tā huāfèile sān xiǎoshí wánchéng zuòyè.
   English: She spent three hours finishing her homework.

3. Chinese: 这次旅行是一次很大的花费。
   Pinyin: Zhè cì lǚxíng shì yī cì hěn dà de huāfèi.
   English: This trip was a big expense.

Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, discussing "花费" (expenses) is often tied to practicality and value. People might openly talk about costs to emphasize frugality or justify decisions. For example, saying "这个花费不值得" (This expense isn’t worth it) reflects a common mindset of weighing benefits against costs.

Conclusion

"花费" (huā fèi) is a versatile word for "spending" money, time, or effort. Remember: 花 = spend, 费 = cost, and together they highlight the "expenditure" aspect. Use it for formal or serious contexts involving resources!