现金 (現金 in traditional form – xiànjīn) means “cash” in Chinese, and its structure reflects the immediate and tangible nature of this form of money.

Here’s a breakdown:

• 现 (現 in traditional form – xiàn): This character means “present” or “current.” It’s a phono-semantic compound character where the 见 (見 in traditional form – jiàn – to see) component hints at the meaning (something that is presently visible or apparent), and the 丷 (biàn – to distinguish) component provides a phonetic clue.
• 金 (jīn): This character means “gold” or “metal.” It’s a pictogram that originally depicted a lump of gold or ore, symbolizing precious metals and, by extension, money.

Combining these elements, 现金 literally means “present gold” or “money that is readily available now.” This accurately captures the essence of cash, which is physical money that can be used immediately for transactions.

The term 现金 emerged as a more modern term to distinguish cash from other forms of currency or financial instruments, such as checks or credit. It emphasizes the immediacy and tangibility of cash, which is readily available and widely accepted for transactions.

现金 is used in various contexts related to money and transactions:

• 现金支付 (xiànjīn zhīfù): Cash payment
• 现金流 (xiànjīnliú): Cash flow
• 提现金 (tí xiànjīn): To withdraw cash

By understanding the original meaning of 现金, we can appreciate how the character’s structure reflects the immediate and tangible nature of cash. It also highlights the historical significance of gold and precious metals in Chinese currency and the evolution of language to incorporate modern financial concepts

Questions

Which of the following is NOT a common meaning of 现金 (xiànjīn)?
a) Cash
b) Credit card
c) Ready money
d) Currency

Which component in 现金 (xiànjīn) contributes the meaning “present” or “current”?
a) 现 (xiàn)
b) 金 (jīn)
c) Both a and b
d) Neither a nor b

What was the original meaning of 金 (jīn) based on its structure?
a) Paper
b) Gold or metal
c) Water
d) Soil

Which phrase means “cash payment”?
a) 现金支付 (xiànjīn zhīfù)
b) 信用卡支付 (xìnyòngkǎ zhīfù)
c) 手机支付 (shǒujī zhīfù)
d) 在线支付 (zàixiàn zhīfù)

Which sentence correctly uses 现金 (xiànjīn)?
a) 我更喜欢用现金支付。(Wǒ gèng xǐhuan yòng xiànjīn zhīfù.) – I prefer to pay with cash.
b) 我需要去银行提现金。(Wǒ xūyào qù yínháng tí xiànjīn.) – I need to go to the bank to withdraw cash.
c) 现金流对企业很重要。(Xiànjīnliú duì qǐyè hěn zhòngyào.) – Cash flow is very important for businesses.
d) All of the above.

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for 现金 (xiànjīn)?
a) 现钱 (xiànqián)
b) 钞票 (chāopiào)
c) 支票 (zhīpiào) – check
d) 现金 (xiànjīn)

How does the original meaning of 现金 (xiànjīn) relate to its modern usage?
a) It has no connection to its modern usage.
b) It emphasizes the immediacy and availability of this form of money.
c) It suggests that cash is only used for small transactions.
d) It implies that cash is no longer relevant in modern society.

Which of the following situations is most likely to involve using 现金 (xiànjīn)?
a) Buying groceries at a supermarket
b) Booking a flight online
c) Paying a credit card bill
d) Investing in the stock market

What is a potential advantage of using 现金 (xiànjīn)?
a) It can be easily tracked and traced.
b) It is convenient for large transactions.
c) It allows for greater financial privacy.
d) It earns interest over time.

In the sentence “他没有带现金” (Tā méiyǒu dài xiànjīn – He didn’t bring cash), what does 现金 refer to?
a) Credit cards
b) Checks
c) Physical money
d) Online payment methods