付
Character Story & Explanation
In Beijing’s bustling Wangfujing Street, a young tourist scans a vendor’s WeChat Pay QR code. The app confirms: ‘已付款’ (yǐ fù kuǎn) — 'Payment completed.' This phrase appears on receipts, e-commerce confirmations, and bank alerts across China. 付 is central to China’s digital payment ecosystem — used over 2 billion times daily in apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay. Common phrases include 付款 (fù kuǎn, 'to make payment') and 付账 (fù zhàng, 'to settle the bill'), both standard in restaurants and invoices.
The character’s form dates to the Qin bamboo slips (3rd c. BCE), where 付 appeared as a variant of 附 ('to attach/entrust'). Its current structure — 亻+寸 — stabilized by the Han dynasty. 寸 originally depicted a hand with a mark at the wrist (a 'cun' measurement), symbolizing deliberate, measured action — fitting for the act of paying with intention and accountability.
The character 付 (fù) is a fundamental verb meaning 'to pay' — not just in cash, but also in effort, attention, or responsibility. It appears constantly in modern Chinese life: scanning QR codes at street-food stalls, confirming online orders, or signing contracts. Its simplicity (just five strokes) belies its high-frequency usage — it’s indispensable for financial transactions and formal commitments alike.
Etymologically, 付 combines the person radical 亻 (indicating human action) with 寸 (cùn), an ancient unit of length that evolved into a symbol for 'measurement' or 'standard'. In classical usage, 付 meant 'to entrust' or 'to hand over' — implying transfer under proper authority or measure. This sense still echoes today when you 'pay' money: you’re formally transferring value according to agreed terms.
Unlike more colloquial terms like 交 (jiāo, 'to hand over'), 付 carries neutral-to-formal weight and often implies completion: once you 付, the transaction is settled. It’s used both transitively ('I paid the bill') and in compound verbs ('pay attention', 'pay a visit'). Its HSK Level 4 status reflects its essential role in navigating daily logistics, service culture, and administrative life in China.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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