Understanding "账单" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 账单
• Pinyin: zhàngdān
• Literal Meaning: "Account" (账) + "List" (单) = "Account List"
• Primary Meaning: A bill or invoice; a detailed record of expenses or transactions.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"账单" refers to a formal record of money owed or paid, commonly used in everyday situations like dining out, shopping, or managing finances. It can be a physical receipt or a digital statement (e.g., credit card bills, utility bills).

Nuances:
- In casual settings, "账单" is neutral and simply refers to the bill.
- In business contexts, it may imply an official invoice for accounting purposes.

Character Breakdown

• 账 (zhàng): Means "account" or "financial record," often related to money management.
• 单 (dān): Means "list" or "sheet," referring to a written or printed record.
  Together, they form "账单," emphasizing a documented summary of transactions.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 请把账单给我。
   Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhàngdān gěi wǒ.
   English: Please give me the bill.

2. Chinese: 我的信用卡账单显示上个月花了很多钱。
   Pinyin: Wǒ de xìnyòngkǎ zhàngdān xiǎnshì shàng gè yuè huāle hěnduō qián.
   English: My credit card bill shows I spent a lot of money last month.

3. Chinese: 服务员，我们想分开付账单。
   Pinyin: Fúwùyuán, wǒmen xiǎng fēnkāi fù zhàngdān.
   English: Waiter, we’d like to split the bill.

Cultural Notes

• In China, it’s common for friends to argue over who pays the bill (抢着买单, qiǎngzhe mǎidān) as a gesture of politeness.
• Digital payment apps like Alipay or WeChat Pay often generate e-bills ("电子账单"), reflecting China’s cashless trend.

Conclusion

"账单" (zhàngdān) is a practical word for any financial record or bill. Remember it combines "账" (account) and "单" (list), making it easy to associate with a detailed expense summary. Use it confidently in restaurants, shops, or when discussing personal finances!