How common it is
元 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say yuán slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
元是人民币的单位，用来表示钱的数量。
yuán shì rénmínbì de dānwèi, yòng lái bǐsài qián de shùliàng.
元 is the unit of Chinese currency, used to indicate the amount of money.
Context note
我们在购物、点餐或支付时经常使用元。
wǒmen zài gòuwù、diǎncān huò fúzhì shí cháng jīngyōng yuán.
We often use 元 when shopping, ordering food, or paying.
5 examples
这个玩具要5元。
zhè ge wán jù yào 5 yuán。
This toy costs 5 yuan.
妈妈给了我10元。
mā ma gěi le wǒ 1 0 yuán。
Mom gave me 10 yuan.
一本书20元。
yì běn shū 2 0 yuán。
A book costs 20 yuan.
我有50元。
wǒ yǒu 5 0 yuán。
I have 50 yuan.
这个苹果1元一个。
zhè ge píng guǒ 1 yuán yí gè。
This apple is 1 yuan each.
5 mini stories
爸爸带我去超市，我用50元买了两本书。
bà ba dài wǒ qù chāo shì， wǒ yòng 5 0 yuán mǎi le liǎng běn shū。
Dad took me to the supermarket. I bought two books with 50 yuan.
妈妈让我自己去菜市场买菜，我花了10元。
mā ma ràng wǒ zì jǐ qù cài shì chǎng mǎi cài， wǒ huā le 1 0 yuán。
Mom asked me to go to the vegetable market and buy some vegetables. I spent 10 yuan.
我每天存5元钱到储蓄罐里。
wǒ měi tiān cún 5 yuán qián dào chǔ xù guàn lǐ。
I save 5 yuan every day into the piggy bank.
姐姐给了我20元零花钱。
jiě jie gěi le wǒ 2 0 yuán líng huā qián。
My sister gave me 20 yuan as pocket money.
我们去餐馆吃饭，一共花了35元。
wǒ men qù cān guǎn chī fàn， yí gòng huā le 3 5 yuán。
We went to a restaurant for dinner. We spent 35 yuan in total.