Alipay & WeChat Pay in Chinese 移动支付
yídòng zhīfù
Mobile payment in Chinese is 移动支付 (yí dòng zhī fù).
Also searched for as: Alipay in Chinese, WeChat Pay in Chinese, mobile payment, scan to pay, QR code payment.
In China, most people pay with their phone. 15 essential Alipay & WeChat Pay words in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
In mainland China most everyday payments are made by phone, using 支付宝 (Zhī fù bǎo, Alipay) or 微信支付 (Wēi xìn zhī fù, WeChat Pay). The key action is 扫码 (sǎo mǎ), scanning a QR code, either the shop's 收款码 (shōu kuǎn mǎ) or your own 付款码 (fù kuǎn mǎ) for the cashier to scan. These words help you pay, transfer money and sort out problems at the till.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 支付宝 | Zhī fù bǎo | Alipay |
| 微信支付 | Wēi xìn zhī fù | WeChat Pay |
| 扫码 | sǎo mǎ | to scan a QR code |
| 付款码 | fù kuǎn mǎ | payment code (shown by the payer) |
| 收款码 | shōu kuǎn mǎ | QR code for receiving payment |
| 二维码 | èr wéi mǎ | QR code |
| 绑卡 | bǎng kǎ | to link a bank card |
| 银行卡 | yín háng kǎ | bank card |
| 余额 | yú é | balance |
| 转账 | zhuǎn zhàng | to transfer money |
| 红包 | hóng bāo | red envelope (digital money gift) |
| 到账 | dào zhàng | to arrive (of money in an account) |
| 支付密码 | zhī fù mì mǎ | payment PIN |
| 付款失败 | fù kuǎn shī bài | payment failed |
| 现金 | xiàn jīn | cash |
Usage tips
- There are two ways to pay by QR code: you scan the shop's 收款码 (shōu kuǎn mǎ), or the cashier scans your 付款码 (fù kuǎn mǎ), so a cashier may ask 你扫我还是我扫你 (nǐ sǎo wǒ hái shì wǒ sǎo nǐ), 'will you scan me or shall I scan you?'.
- 红包 (hóng bāo) are traditionally red envelopes of cash given at New Year and weddings; digital ones are sent in group chats, where friends race to grab them, 抢红包 (qiǎng hóng bāo).
- At small stalls with a printed QR code, people often show the stallholder the payment-success screen so they can see the money has 到账 (dào zhàng), come through.
Common mistakes
- Using 付款 (fù kuǎn) when sending money to a friend → 付款 is paying for goods or services; sending money to a person, for example to split a bill, is 转账 (zhuǎn zhàng).
- Reading 二维码 as èr wèi mǎ → 维 is second tone: èr wéi mǎ, literally 'two-dimensional code'.
Mini dialogue
- A老板，可以用微信支付吗？Lǎo bǎn, kě yǐ yòng Wēi xìn zhī fù ma?Can I pay with WeChat Pay?
- B可以，扫这个二维码就行。Kě yǐ, sǎo zhè gè èr wéi mǎ jiù xíng.Yes, just scan this QR code.
- A好像付款失败了，我的余额不够。Hǎo xiàng fù kuǎn shī bài le, wǒ de yú é bù gòu.It looks like the payment failed, I haven't got enough balance.
- B那你用银行卡付，或者给现金也行。Nà nǐ yòng yín háng kǎ fù, huò zhě gěi xiàn jīn yě xíng.Then pay with your bank card, or cash is fine too.
- A好了，付了。您看，到账了吗？Hǎo le, fù le. Nín kàn, dào zhàng le ma?OK, done. Has it come through?
- B到了，谢谢！Dào le, xiè xie!Yes, it has, thanks!
Example sentences
- 这里可以用支付宝吗？Can I use Alipay here?
- 我平时都用微信支付。I usually pay with WeChat Pay.
- 扫码就可以付钱了。Just scan the code to pay.
- 请出示一下你的付款码。Please show your payment code.
- 老板，你的收款码在哪儿？Where's your QR code, boss?
- 扫一下这个二维码。Scan this QR code.
- 外国的信用卡也能绑卡吗？Can you link a foreign credit card too?
- 我的银行卡怎么绑不上？Why won't my bank card link?
- 我的余额不够了。I don't have enough balance.
- 我现在转账给你。I'll transfer it to you now.
- 他在群里发了个红包。He sent a red envelope in the group chat.
- 钱到账了吗？Has the money come through?
- 请输入六位支付密码。Please enter your six-digit payment PIN.
- 怎么又付款失败了？Why has the payment failed again?
- 你们收现金吗？Do you take cash?
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The Alipay & WeChat Pay speaking island has 8 everyday questions about Alipay & WeChat Pay to prepare your own answers to.