付

• Pinyin: fù
• Hanzi breakdown: 付 = 亻 (person) + 寸 (hand/inch), depicting handing something to another person

Meaning

To pay. Handing over money for goods or services.

A fundamental word for financial transactions. Used in many compounds: 付款 (make payment), 付钱 (pay money), 支付 (pay/payment). Common in shopping, dining, and business contexts.

Examples

1. 这顿饭我来付钱。 I'll pay for this meal.
2. 你可以用手机付款。 You can pay with your phone.
3. 他已经付了三个月的房租。 He has already paid three months of rent.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, finance, everyday

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 这个可以用微信付吗？(Can I pay for this with WeChat?)
• 你先付，我之后转给你。(You pay first, I'll transfer you the money later.)

Don't Say

• 我付了很多努力 (Don't use 付 alone for effort — use 付出 for abstract giving like effort or sacrifice; 付 alone is mainly for monetary payment)

Origin & History

From 亻 (person) and 寸 (inch/hand), depicting a person handing something over, originally meaning to deliver or give.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal