Understanding "银行卡" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 银行卡
• Pinyin: yín háng kǎ
• Literal Meaning: "bank" (银行) + "card" (卡) = "bank card"
• Primary Meaning: A card issued by a bank that allows the holder to perform financial transactions, such as withdrawals, deposits, or payments. It includes debit cards, credit cards, and other types of bank-issued cards.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

The term "银行卡" is a general term for any card issued by a bank for financial transactions. It is commonly used in everyday conversations when discussing banking, shopping, or online payments. In China, "银行卡" is essential for cashless transactions, mobile payments (e.g., Alipay, WeChat Pay), and ATM withdrawals.

Character Breakdown

• 银行 (yín háng): "bank" – 银 (yín) means "silver" or "money," and 行 (háng) means "institution" or "business."
• 卡 (kǎ): "card" – refers to any plastic or digital card used for identification or transactions.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 我的银行卡丢了，需要挂失。
   Pinyin: Wǒ de yínhángkǎ diū le, xūyào guàshī.
   English: I lost my bank card and need to report it.

2. Chinese: 请用银行卡支付。
   Pinyin: Qǐng yòng yínhángkǎ zhīfù.
   English: Please pay with a bank card.

3. Chinese: 这张银行卡每天最多可以取5000元。
   Pinyin: Zhè zhāng yínhángkǎ měi tiān zuì duō kěyǐ qǔ wǔqiān yuán.
   English: This bank card allows a maximum withdrawal of 5000 yuan per day.

Cultural Notes

In China, "银行卡" is closely tied to digital payment systems. While Western countries rely heavily on credit cards, China has rapidly adopted mobile payments linked to bank cards. Most people use apps like Alipay or WeChat Pay, which require binding a "银行卡" for transactions. Additionally, China's UnionPay (银联) is the dominant card network, so many "银行卡" carry the UnionPay logo.

Conclusion

"银行卡" (yínhángkǎ) is a fundamental term for any bank-issued card in China. Whether you're withdrawing cash, shopping online, or setting up mobile payments, understanding this word is essential for navigating financial life in China. Remember: 银行 (bank) + 卡 (card) = "bank card."