When combined, 信用卡 (xìnyòngkǎ) literally translates to “trust-use-card”—a card that you can use based on the bank's trust in you to pay them back.
The story of the 信用卡 (xìnyòngkǎ) in China is a fascinating example of “leapfrog” development. In the West, credit cards were a revolutionary payment technology that became deeply embedded in the consumer economy over decades. They are a primary tool for transactions, online shopping, and building a personal credit history. In China, credit cards arrived later and had a much shorter reign as the primary non-cash payment method. While they became common among the urban middle class, they never achieved the same level of ubiquity as in the US. Before they could, they were largely superseded by the explosive growth of QR code-based mobile payments: 支付宝 (Zhīfùbǎo - Alipay) and 微信支付 (Wēixìn Zhīfù - WeChat Pay). Culturally, there's a traditional preference for saving rather than borrowing, which made debit cards (借记卡 - jièjìkǎ) initially more popular. However, the convenience and benefits (points, cashback) of credit cards have made them an important financial tool for many, especially for larger purchases. Today, a credit card's primary function is often not to be swiped physically, but to be linked as a payment source within Alipay or WeChat Pay.
Understanding how to use a 信用卡 in China is key for both residents and travelers.
The most practical way to use a 信用卡 is to link it to your Alipay or WeChat Pay account. This allows you to:
1. Scan QR codes everywhere, from street food stalls to taxis. 2. Use the credit card's line of credit for the purchase. 3. Consolidate all your spending into one monthly credit card bill. This method combines the universal convenience of mobile payments with the financial tool of a credit card. * **The Action of Paying:** The verb for using a card is **刷 (shuā)**, which means "to swipe" or "to brush." You would say **刷卡 (shuākǎ)** for "swipe the card" or **刷信用卡 (shuā xìnyòngkǎ)**.