信用

• Pinyin: xìn yòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 信 = 人 (person) + 言 (speech), meaning trust; 用 = pictograph of a container, meaning to use

Meaning

Credit; trustworthiness; credibility. The quality of being trusted or the financial system of borrowing.

Has both abstract and financial meanings: (1) Personal credibility and trustworthiness; (2) Financial credit system. Common terms: 信用卡 (credit card), 信用评分 (credit score), 信用贷款 (credit loan), 讲信用 (to keep one's word).

Examples

1. 他是个讲信用的人，答应的事一定会做到。 He is a trustworthy person who always does what he promises.
2. 不良的信用记录会影响你申请贷款。 A poor credit history will affect your loan application.
3. 信用是生意场上最重要的资本。 Credit is the most important capital in business.

Usage Guide

Context: financial, business, personal, banking

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 信用很重要。(Credit/trustworthiness is very important.)
• 他信用很好。(He has good credit/is very trustworthy.)

Don't Say

• 给我一些信用 — 借钱说'借我一些钱'，信用不能直接借给人

Origin & History

Compound of 信 (trust, believe) + 用 (use, function). Together meaning the use or application of trust.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal