利率

• Pinyin: lì lǜ
• Hanzi breakdown: 利 = 禾 + 刂 (profit/interest); 率 = 玄 + 十 (rate/ratio)

Meaning

Interest rate. The proportion at which interest is charged on a loan or earned on a deposit, expressed as a percentage over a given period.

A fundamental term in finance and economics. Used in banking, investment, mortgage, and monetary policy discussions. The central bank (央行) sets benchmark interest rates; commercial rates vary by institution. Key collocations: 贷款利率 (loan rate), 存款利率 (deposit rate), 基准利率 (benchmark rate).

Examples

1. 中央银行宣布下调基准利率，以刺激经济增长并提振市场信心。 The central bank announced a cut to the benchmark interest rate to stimulate economic growth and boost market confidence.
2. 购房者应仔细比较各银行的房贷利率，选择最有利于自身的还款方案。 Homebuyers should compare mortgage interest rates across banks and choose the repayment plan that benefits them most.
3. 低利率环境促使更多投资者将资金转向股票和房地产市场。 A low interest-rate environment has pushed more investors to shift their money into stocks and real estate.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, banking, economics, mortgage, investment

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 受全球经济下行压力影响，多国央行相继调低基准利率，以维持流动性。(Under the pressure of a global economic downturn, central banks of many countries have successively lowered benchmark interest rates to maintain liquidity.)
• 在申请住房贷款时，务必确认合同中注明的是固定利率还是浮动利率。(When applying for a housing loan, make sure to confirm whether the rate stated in the contract is a fixed or floating interest rate.)

Don't Say

• 将'利率'与'汇率'混用 — 利率是借贷成本的百分比，汇率是两种货币之间的兑换比例，两者是不同的金融概念

Origin & History

利 (profit/interest) + 率 (rate/ratio/proportion)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal