付款

• Pinyin: fù kuǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 付 = 亻 + 寸 (hand over, pay); 款 = 欠 + 木 (funds, sum, item)

Meaning

To make a payment; to pay a sum of money. Specifically refers to the act of remitting funds in a financial transaction.

More formal than 付费, often used in business and banking contexts. Common in contracts (付款条件 payment terms), invoices (请及时付款 please pay promptly), and international trade (分期付款 instalment payment). 付款方 refers to the payer.

Examples

1. 合同规定买方须在货物验收后七个工作日内完成付款。 The contract stipulates that the buyer must complete payment within seven business days after the goods pass inspection and acceptance.
2. 银行转账失败，导致本次订单的付款流程未能顺利完成。 The bank transfer failed, so the payment process for this order could not be completed smoothly.
3. 公司财务部要求所有供应商在月底前提交发票以便及时付款。 The company’s finance department requires all suppliers to submit invoices before the end of the month so payments can be made promptly.

Usage Guide

Context: business, finance, commerce

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请在收到账单后的三十天内完成付款，以免产生滞纳金。(Please complete payment within thirty days of receiving the invoice to avoid late fees.)
• 双方协商一致，采用分期付款的方式结清货款。(Both parties agreed to settle the payment in instalments.)

Don't Say

• 付款你一个道歉 — 付款 refers exclusively to monetary payments; use 道歉 or 赔礼 for non-financial obligations

Origin & History

付 (hand over/pay) + 款 (funds/sum of money)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal