券

• Pinyin: quàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 券 = 龹 (phonetic component) + 刀 (knife) — represents a document that can be split or exchanged

Meaning

Ticket; coupon; voucher. A document or slip that entitles the holder to something.

Used for various types of tickets and coupons, including 优惠券 (discount coupon), 购物券 (shopping voucher), 入场券 (admission ticket), 餐券 (meal voucher), and 债券 (bond, in finance). Often appears in compound words rather than alone.

Examples

1. 这张优惠券可以抵扣五十元。 This coupon can be used to deduct fifty yuan.
2. 演唱会的入场券已经售罄了。 Admission tickets for the concert have sold out.
3. 他投资了几种不同类型的债券。 He invested in several different types of bonds.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, events, finance

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 你有优惠券吗？(Do you have a coupon?)
• 这张券下周就过期了。(This voucher expires next week.)

Don't Say

• 不要单独用'券'指车票或机票 (For transportation tickets, use 票 — 火车票, 机票, not 券)

Origin & History

Originally written 劵, from 刀 (knife) representing the cutting or splitting of a contract. The character represents a formal document or slip that can be exchanged.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal