huìlǜ: 汇率 - Exchange Rate

• Keywords: huilv, 汇率, Chinese exchange rate, RMB exchange rate, currency exchange China, USD to CNY rate, what is the exchange rate in Chinese, foreign exchange, forex in Chinese, Renminbi exchange rate.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 汇率 (huìlǜ), which means exchange rate. This guide provides a complete breakdown for anyone traveling to China, doing business, or managing finances. Discover how to ask for the current RMB exchange rate, understand its cultural and economic significance in modern China, and see practical examples of how 汇率 is used in everyday conversation. Avoid common mistakes and learn related financial terms to talk about money in Chinese like a pro.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): huìlǜ
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The rate at which one currency can be exchanged for another.
• In a Nutshell: 汇率 (huìlǜ) is the direct and universal word for “exchange rate.” It's a fundamental vocabulary word for travel, international business, and finance. The term literally combines the concepts of “gathering/remitting money” and a “rate/ratio,” making it a highly logical and specific term you'll encounter at any bank or currency exchange office in China.

• 汇 (huì): This character's original meaning is a confluence of rivers. By extension, it has come to mean “to gather,” “to collect,” or “to remit” (as in sending money). Think of different currencies flowing together to be exchanged.
• 率 (lǜ): This character means “rate,” “ratio,” or “proportion.” It sets a standard or measure for something.
• Together, 汇率 (huìlǜ) literally translates to “remittance rate” or “gathering ratio,” perfectly capturing the meaning of a currency exchange rate.

While “exchange rate” is a neutral financial term globally, in China, 汇率 (huìlǜ) carries a significant weight tied to national economic policy and international relations. For decades, China's government strictly pegged the Renminbi (RMB) to the US dollar. Now, the 汇率 operates under a “managed float,” making it a constant topic of discussion in financial news and a key indicator of the country's economic health. Unlike in the West where exchange rates are primarily a concern for traders and tourists, in China, the stability of the 汇率 is often viewed as a reflection of national strength and government competence. It frequently appears in discussions about the US-China trade relationship, where it can become a highly politicized topic. For the average Chinese citizen planning to study abroad, travel, or buy foreign goods, fluctuations in the 汇率 have a direct and tangible impact on their purchasing power and life plans.

汇率 (huìlǜ) is a standard, formal term used in virtually all contexts related to currency exchange. There is no informal slang for it; you will hear and see this word used everywhere from official bank signs to casual conversations.

• At the Bank/Currency Exchange: This is the most common context. You use it to ask for the current rate before changing money.
• In Business: Essential for negotiating international contracts, processing payments, and managing financial risk. Companies often watch the 汇率 daily.
• In the News: Media outlets report on the daily fluctuations of the RMB against other major currencies, using 汇率 as a key term.
• Personal Finance: Individuals follow the 汇率 when sending money to family abroad, planning travel, or making international online purchases.

The term itself is neutral and carries no inherent positive or negative connotation; the connotation comes from whether the rate is favorable (划算 - huásuàn) or not.

• Example 1:
  • 请问，今天美元对人民币的汇率是多少？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, jīntiān Měiyuán duì Rénmínbì de huìlǜ shì duōshǎo?
  • English: Excuse me, what is the exchange rate for US dollars to RMB today?
  • Analysis: This is the most standard and polite way to ask for the exchange rate. Note the structure: [Currency A] 对 (duì) [Currency B] 的 (de) 汇率.
• Example 2:
  • 最近的汇率变动很大，对我们的生意有影响。
  • Pinyin: Zuìjìn de huìlǜ biàndòng hěn dà, duì wǒmen de shēngyì yǒu yǐngxiǎng.
  • English: The recent exchange rate fluctuations are huge and have an impact on our business.
  • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates how 汇率 is used in a business context to discuss market volatility.
• Example 3:
  • 如果汇率好的话，我想多换点儿欧元。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ huìlǜ hǎo de huà, wǒ xiǎng duō huàn diǎnr Ōuyuán.
  • English: If the exchange rate is good, I'd like to exchange a bit more Euros.
  • Analysis: A common thought for travelers. “汇率好” (huìlǜ hǎo) is a simple way to say the rate is favorable.
• Example 4:
  • 这家银行的汇率不太划算，我们去别家看看吧。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā yínháng de huìlǜ bú tài huásuàn, wǒmen qù bié jiā kànkan ba.
  • English: This bank's exchange rate isn't very good value, let's go check another one.
  • Analysis: Here, 划算 (huásuàn) is a key adjective meaning “good value” or “cost-effective,” often used to describe a favorable rate.
• Example 5:
  • 新闻说人民币汇率最近一直在升值。
  • Pinyin: Xīnwén shuō Rénmínbì huìlǜ zuìjìn yìzhí zài shēngzhí.
  • English: The news says the RMB exchange rate has been appreciating recently.
  • Analysis: This shows how 汇率 is combined with other financial verbs like 升值 (shēngzhí), “to appreciate in value.”
• Example 6:
  • 你在网上买东西的时候，别忘了算上汇率和手续费。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zài wǎngshàng mǎi dōngxi de shíhou, bié wàng le suàn shàng huìlǜ hé shǒuxùfèi.
  • English: When you buy things online, don't forget to factor in the exchange rate and service fees.
  • Analysis: A practical reminder for international e-commerce.
• Example 7:
  • 央行宣布将保持汇率基本稳定。
  • Pinyin: Yāngháng xuānbù jiāng bǎochí huìlǜ jīběn wěndìng.
  • English: The central bank announced it will maintain a basically stable exchange rate.
  • Analysis: This is typical formal language you would read in a financial news headline. 央行 (Yāngháng) is the Central Bank.
• Example 8:
  • 出国留学需要一大笔钱，所以汇率对我们家来说很重要。
  • Pinyin: Chūguó liúxué xūyào yí dà bǐ qián, suǒyǐ huìlǜ duì wǒmen jiā lái shuō hěn zhòngyào.
  • English: Studying abroad requires a lot of money, so the exchange rate is very important to our family.
  • Analysis: This highlights the real-world impact of the 汇率 on major family financial decisions.
• Example 9:
  • 我们可以锁定合同的汇率来避免风险吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen kěyǐ suǒdìng hétong de huìlǜ lái bìmiǎn fēngxiǎn ma?
  • English: Can we lock in the exchange rate in the contract to avoid risk?
  • Analysis: A specific business question related to hedging against currency fluctuations.
• Example 10:
  • 实时汇率查询，请访问我们的网站。
  • Pinyin: Shíshí huìlǜ cháxún, qǐng fǎngwèn wǒmen de wǎngzhàn.
  • English: For real-time exchange rate inquiries, please visit our website.
  • Analysis: A common phrase you'll see on banking and financial websites. 实时 (shíshí) means “real-time.”

• Don't confuse with 利率 (lìlǜ) - Interest Rate: This is the most common mistake for learners. Both end in 率 (lǜ), but the first character is key. 汇 (huì) relates to exchange/remittance, while 利 (lì) relates to profit/interest. They are not interchangeable.
  • Incorrect: 银行的汇率是多少？ (When asking about a loan's interest rate)
  • Correct: 银行的利率是多少？ (Yínháng de lìlǜ shì duōshǎo?)
• 汇率 is a noun, not a verb: You cannot “exchange rate” your money. The verb for exchanging money is 换钱 (huànqián). 汇率 is simply the rate at which you exchange it.
  • Incorrect: 我要去银行汇率美元。(Wǒ yào qù yínháng huìlǜ Měiyuán.)
  • Correct: 我要去银行换美元，我想知道汇率。(Wǒ yào qù yínháng huàn Měiyuán, wǒ xiǎng zhīdào huìlǜ.)

• 换钱 (huànqián) - To exchange money. This is the action, while 汇率 is the rate for that action.
• 外汇 (wàihuì) - Foreign exchange; foreign currency. 汇率 is the rate of exchange for 外汇.
• 货币 (huòbì) - Currency. A general term for money (e.g., a country's official currency).
• 利率 (lìlǜ) - Interest Rate. The most common point of confusion with 汇率.
• 升值 (shēngzhí) - To appreciate (in value). Used to describe a currency getting stronger.
• 贬值 (biǎnzhí) - To depreciate (in value). The opposite of 升值; a currency getting weaker.
• 人民币 (Rénmínbì) - The official currency of the People's Republic of China (CNY).
• 美元 (Měiyuán) - US Dollar (USD).
• 欧元 (Ōuyuán) - Euro (EUR).
• 汇款 (huìkuǎn) - To remit money; a remittance. Shares the character 汇 and refers to the act of wiring money, which depends on the 汇率.