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March 24, 2026
债(債)zhài(zhai4)
The character 债 (zhài) refers to debt or an obligation to repay money borrowed. It is commonly used in financial contexts, such as discussing loans or liabilities, and can also refer to moral or emotional debts in a broader sense.
Strokes10Radical亻Frequency#6108DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of debt carries significant weight, often linked to family obligations and social harmony. Being in debt can affect one's reputation and relationships within the community.
Memory Tip
Think of 债 as a 'zha' with a 'debt' on its back. The left part, as '亻' (person), represents the borrower, while the right part, '债', suggests the weight of the obligation, making it easier to remember that it means debt.
Meanings of 债
zhài(zhai4)
1debt
2debt, loan, liability
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 债
债Simplified
債Traditional
10Strokes
亻Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6108Frequency Rank
笔Measure Word
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 债
Podcast: 债
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AI Study Notes for 债
Quick Contrast
债 (debt) vs 欠 (owe) — use 债 when referring specifically to the concept of debt as an obligation, while 欠 emphasizes the action of owing.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 债 as a 'zha' with a 'debt' on its back. The left part, as '亻' (person), represents the borrower, while the right part, '债', suggests the weight of the obligation, making it easier to remember that it means debt.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 债 with 贷 (dài), which refers to lending. Remember that 债 emphasizes the obligation of the borrower. It is used in both formal and informal settings, but is particularly prevalent in financial discussions.
HSK Study Tips
While 债 is not in the HSK list, it connects with terms like 贷款 (dàikuǎn, loan) and 债务 (zhàiwù, debt obligation), which are important for understanding financial conversations. Focus on recognizing these related terms and their usage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of debt carries significant weight, often linked to family obligations and social harmony. Being in debt can affect one's reputation and relationships within the community.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 债 with 账 (zhàng, account), leading to incorrect phrases like 债单 (zhài dān, debt bill) instead of 账单 (zhàng dān, bill). Always use 债 in contexts related to borrowing and repayment.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 债
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Grammar Patterns of 债
债 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我破产了，莉薇，而且我欠了几百万美元的____。
I'm broke, Livy, and I owe a couple of million dollars.
Common Confusions with 债
债vs账
zhàng
Similar structure but different meaning and usage.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "debt"?
or
Example Sentences for 债 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我破产了，莉薇，而且我欠了几百万美元的债。
wǒ pò chǎn le， ， lì， wēi ， ér qiě wǒ qiàn le jī bǎi wàn měi yuán。
I'm broke, Livy, and I owe a couple of million dollars.
" The Seventh - Year Long Term " appeared on the board above the platform.
Cultural Notes for 债
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of debt carries significant weight, often linked to family obligations and social harmony. Being in debt can affect one's reputation and relationships within the community.
Word Family of 债
Words Containing This Character20
债zhàidebt債
债务zhàiwùdebt債務
债券zhàiquànbond債券
国债national debt國債
负债to be in debt負債
还债to settle a debt還債
血债debt of blood (after killing sb)血債
欠债to owe a debt欠債
债权creditor's rights (law)債權
债权人creditor債權人
债主creditor債主
讨债to demand repayment討債
负债累累deep in debt負債累累
公债government bond公債
外债foreign debt外債
债务人debtor債務人
抵债to repay a debt in kind or by labor抵債
放债to give credit放債
债台高筑lit. build a high desk of debt (idiom); heavily in debt債臺高築
借债to borrow money借債
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 债 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 债
债 refers to debt or the obligation to repay, while 贷 refers to lending or the act of giving a loan.
Yes, it can also refer to moral or emotional debts, such as feeling indebted to someone for their kindness.
