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Chinese monetary unit

Chinese monetary unit

3.5
A unit of money that people use in China, like the yuan
  • noun
translation icon : yuan
  • Many prices in China are listed in the Chinese monetary unit known as the yuan.

Examples

  • The exchange rate for the Chinese monetary unit fluctuates daily against the dollar.

  • One Chinese monetary unit is currently worth about fifteen US cents.

  • The Chinese monetary unit is widely accepted in China.

  • How much is the Chinese monetary unit worth today?

  • Many prices in China are listed in the Chinese monetary unit known as the yuan.

  • The exchange rate for the Chinese monetary unit fluctuates daily against the dollar.

  • One Chinese monetary unit is currently worth about fifteen US cents.

Synonyms

yuan
vsChinese monetary unit
19 4.5

The main money unit used in China worth 100 smaller units

is the general familiar name for the unit used across the country
renminbi
vsChinese monetary unit
5 5.1

The official money of China, also called the yuan

is the common unit name rather than the formal currency term
kwai
vsChinese monetary unit
  • Informal
5 9.9

An informal word for Chinese money called yuan

is the neutral standard word rather than a slang form

Surface Forms

Morphology

Chinese + monetary + unit

The phrase combines 'Chinese' (of China) + 'monetary' (relating to money) + 'unit' (a single measure), so its meaning 'the unit of currency used in China (yuan/renminbi)' is directly and predictably derived from the parts. This compositional pattern is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily understand it.

Etymology

Chinese monetary unit is a simple name for the main money used in China. The parts Chinese, monetary, and unit mean 'China', 'money', and 'one amount'. It usually refers to the 'yuan' also called the 'renminbi', and because 'yuan' once meant 'round' from old round coins and 'renminbi' means 'people's money', the phrase points to China's basic unit of money.