shǒufù: 首付 - Down Payment

• Keywords: 首付, shoufu, down payment in Chinese, buying a house in China, Chinese mortgage, first payment, fù shǒufù, còu shǒufù, 首付比例, 六个钱包, real estate in China
• Summary: Learn the crucial Chinese term for “down payment,” 首付 (shǒufù), a word that unlocks conversations about one of the biggest life goals in modern China: buying property. This guide will break down what 首付 means, its immense cultural significance related to family and marriage, and how it's used in practical situations like getting a mortgage for a car or apartment. Understand why saving for the 首付 is a major topic for young people across China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shǒufù
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The initial, upfront payment made when purchasing a large asset, with the remaining balance typically financed through a loan.
• In a Nutshell: 首付 (shǒufù) literally translates to “first pay” and is the Chinese word for a “down payment.” While it functions the same as in English (for a house, car, etc.), it carries a much heavier cultural weight in China. It's not just a financial transaction; it's a massive milestone, often a prerequisite for marriage, and a financial challenge that frequently involves the entire family's savings.

• 首 (shǒu): The original meaning of this character is “head.” By extension, it has come to mean “first,” “chief,” or “leader.” Think of the “head” of a line being the “first” one.
• 付 (fù): This character means “to pay” or “to hand over.” It's a core component of many financial terms, like 支付 (zhīfù - to pay).
• Together, 首付 (shǒufù) logically combines these ideas to mean the “first payment” you make for a large purchase.

The concept of 首付 (shǒufù) is deeply woven into the fabric of modern Chinese society and aspirations. While a down payment is a significant financial step in any country, in China it holds unique and immense importance.

• Connection to Marriage: There is a widespread, powerful social expectation that a man should own a property before he can get married. A common phrase is `有房有车 (yǒu fáng yǒu chē)`, meaning “to have a house and a car,” as a sign of stability and eligibility. Therefore, saving for the 首付 is not just a personal goal but often a societal prerequisite for starting a family.
• The “Six Pockets” (六个钱包 - liù ge qiánbāo): Due to skyrocketing property prices in major cities, it's nearly impossible for a young person or couple to afford the 首付 on their own. This has given rise to the phenomenon known as the “Six Pockets.” This refers to a young couple pooling money from their own two “pockets” plus those of both sets of parents (four more pockets), and sometimes even grandparents. This collective family effort is a stark contrast to the more individualistic approach to home-buying often seen in the West, where parental help might be a gift but is less of a widespread expectation or necessity.
• Symbol of Stability and Success: Owning a home is the ultimate symbol of security and success in China. Paying the 首付 is the first, and arguably hardest, step toward achieving this goal. It represents a transition into adulthood and a commitment to putting down roots.

首付 (shǒufù) is a high-frequency word in discussions about personal finance, life goals, and the economy.

• Common Collocations:
  • `付首付 (fù shǒufù)` - To pay the down payment.
  • `凑首付 (còu shǒufù)` - To scrape together the money for the down payment. The character `凑 (còu)` vividly implies pooling funds from various sources, perfectly capturing the “Six Pockets” reality.
  • `首付比例 (shǒufù bǐlì)` - The down payment ratio/percentage (e.g., 20%, 30%). This is often subject to government policy changes to cool or stimulate the property market.
• Connotation: The word itself is neutral, but the context is often filled with emotion. It can be a source of immense stress and anxiety (`我们还在为首付发愁 - Wǒmen hái zài wèi shǒufù fāchóu` - “We are still worrying about the down payment.”) or a moment of great joy and relief (`我们终于付了首付！ - Wǒmen zhōngyú fùle shǒufù!` - “We finally paid the down payment!”).

• Example 1:
  • 我们买房的首付还差一点儿。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen mǎifáng de shǒufù hái chà yīdiǎnr.
  • English: We are still a little short for the down payment on the house.
  • Analysis: A very common and natural way to express the struggle of saving up. `差一点儿 (chà yīdiǎnr)` means “to be short a little.”
• Example 2:
  • 这辆车的首付是多少？
  • Pinyin: Zhè liàng chē de shǒufù shì duōshǎo?
  • English: How much is the down payment for this car?
  • Analysis: A straightforward question you would ask at a car dealership.
• Example 3:
  • 为了凑够首付，他每天都努力工作，省吃俭用。
  • Pinyin: Wèile còu gòu shǒufù, tā měitiān dōu nǔlì gōngzuò, shěng chī jiǎn yòng.
  • English: In order to scrape together enough for the down payment, he works hard every day and lives frugally.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the key phrase `凑够 (còu gòu)` - “to scrape together enough.” It also includes the idiom `省吃俭用 (shěng chī jiǎn yòng)`, which means “to be frugal / to save on food and expenses,” perfectly illustrating the sacrifice involved.
• Example 4:
  • 我父母帮我付了大部分的首付。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ fùmǔ bāng wǒ fùle dàbùfèn de shǒufù.
  • English: My parents helped me pay for most of the down payment.
  • Analysis: This directly reflects the cultural reality of family members helping with the down payment.
• Example 5:
  • 这里的首付比例是百分之三十。
  • Pinyin: Zhèlǐ de shǒufù bǐlì shì bǎifēnzhī sānshí.
  • English: The down payment ratio here is 30 percent.
  • Analysis: This is a more technical sentence you might hear from a real estate agent or a bank. `比例 (bǐlì)` means “ratio,” and `百分之三十 (bǎifēnzhī sānshí)` means “30 percent.”
• Example 6:
  • 付完首付以后，我们每个月还要还房贷。
  • Pinyin: Fù wán shǒufù yǐhòu, wǒmen měi ge yuè hái yào huán fángdài.
  • English: After paying the down payment, we still have to pay the mortgage every month.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects 首付 to the next financial step, the mortgage (`房贷 - fángdài`).
• Example 7:
  • 恭喜你！听说你已经存够首付了！
  • Pinyin: Gōngxǐ nǐ! Tīngshuō nǐ yǐjīng cún gòu shǒufù le!
  • English: Congratulations! I heard you've already saved up enough for the down payment!
  • Analysis: Shows how paying the 首付 is a major event worthy of congratulations. `存够 (cún gòu)` means “to save enough.”
• Example 8:
  • 如果首付不够，银行是不会给你贷款的。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ shǒufù bùgòu, yínháng shì bùhuì gěi nǐ dàikuǎn de.
  • English: If the down payment isn't enough, the bank won't give you a loan.
  • Analysis: Explains the basic financial logic: the down payment is a prerequisite for a loan (`贷款 - dàikuǎn`).
• Example 9:
  • 政府调整了首次购房者的首付政策。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ tiáozhěngle shǒucì gòufángzhě de shǒufù zhèngcè.
  • English: The government has adjusted the down payment policy for first-time homebuyers.
  • Analysis: A sentence you might read in a news article about the economy or real estate market.
• Example 10:
  • 想到首付的压力，我就睡不着觉。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎngdào shǒufù de yālì, wǒ jiù shuì bùzháo jué.
  • English: I can't sleep whenever I think about the pressure of the down payment.
  • Analysis: This sentence captures the immense stress (`压力 - yālì`) associated with the 首付 in a very personal and relatable way.

• “Down Payment” (首付) vs. “Security Deposit” (押金):

A common mistake for learners is to use 首付 when they mean a security deposit.

• 首付 (shǒufù) is part of the total purchase price of an item you are buying (like a house or car). It is not refundable.
• 押金 (yājīn) is a refundable security deposit you pay when you rent something (like an apartment, a shared bike, or a power bank). You get it back if you return the item undamaged.
• Incorrect: 我租公寓需要付三十万的首付。 (Wǒ zū gōngyù xūyào fù sānshí wàn de shǒufù.)
• Reason: You don't pay a “down payment” to rent an apartment.
• Correct: 我租公寓需要付一个月的押金。 (Wǒ zū gōngyù xūyào fù yī ge yuè de yājīn.) - I need to pay a one-month security deposit to rent the apartment.
• Cultural Weight vs. Literal Meaning:

While “down payment” is a perfect literal translation, a non-Chinese speaker might underestimate the social and familial pressure implied when a Chinese friend says they are “saving for a 首付.” It's not just a financial task; it's often the key to unlocking the next stage of life, and the burden is frequently shared across generations.

• 房贷 (fángdài) - Mortgage. The loan you take out after paying the 首付.
• 买房 (mǎifáng) - To buy a house/apartment. The primary context for discussing 首付.
• 押金 (yājīn) - Security Deposit. The term to use for renting, not to be confused with 首付.
• 凑钱 (còuqián) - To pool/scrape money together. A verb often used to describe the process of gathering funds for the 首付.
• 贷款 (dàikuǎn) - Loan. The general term for borrowed money, including mortgages.
• 房价 (fángjià) - Housing prices. The high cost of housing is the reason the 首付 is such a major hurdle.
• 六个钱包 (liù ge qiánbāo) - “Six Wallets.” The important cultural concept of a young couple getting financial help for the 首付 from themselves, their parents, and their grandparents.
• 期房 (qīfáng) - Off-plan property; a property purchased before it is built. You still need to pay a 首付 for this.