li yuan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-high (in financial/economic contexts)Formal financial, economic journalism; neutral in general news.
Quick answer
What does “li yuan” mean?
The basic monetary unit of China.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The basic monetary unit of China.
Also refers to the People's Bank of China as the central bank authority, and informally to the Chinese currency system or economy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'yuan' is standard in both. Usage is identical, though British publications may more often add 'Chinese' for clarity (e.g., 'the Chinese yuan').
Connotations
Neutral economic/financial term in both regions.
Frequency
Similar frequency in relevant financial contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “li yuan” in a Sentence
The yuan [verb: strengthened/weakened/fell] against the dollar.The government [verb: pegged/devalued/supported] the yuan.It costs [number] yuan.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “li yuan” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- yuan-denominated assets
- the yuan exchange rate
American English
- yuan bonds
- yuan currency reserves
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common in forex trading, international trade pricing, and corporate finance reports (e.g., 'The invoice is settled in yuan.').
Academic
Used in economics, international relations, and finance papers discussing China's monetary policy or exchange rates.
Everyday
Used when discussing travel costs to China or news about China's economy (e.g., 'How many yuan to the pound?').
Technical
Specific in banking and foreign exchange markets, often with codes (CNY/CNH).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “li yuan”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “li yuan”
- Using 'yuan' as a plural (it is both singular and plural, like 'sheep'). Incorrect: '100 yuans'. Correct: '100 yuan'.
- Confusing 'yuan' with 'yen' (Japanese currency).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both singular and plural. You say 'one yuan' and 'one hundred yuan' (not 'yuans').
'Renminbi' is the official name of the Chinese currency (like 'sterling'), while 'yuan' is its primary unit (like 'pound'). You have prices in 'yuan', and you pay with 'renminbi'.
The official ISO code is CNY (for onshore yuan). CNH is used for the offshore yuan traded in Hong Kong and other markets. The symbol is ¥, which it shares with the Japanese yen, so context is key.
Yes, it is common and clear, especially in international contexts to distinguish it from other historical currencies also called 'yuan'. However, within China or financial circles, 'yuan' or 'RMB' is typically sufficient.
The basic monetary unit of China.
Li yuan is usually formal financial, economic journalism; neutral in general news. in register.
Li yuan: in British English it is pronounced /juːˈɑːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /juˈɑn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'You CAN (yuan) buy things in China with this currency.'
Conceptual Metaphor
CURRENCY IS A MEASURE OF STRENGTH/VALUE (e.g., 'a strong yuan', 'the yuan's rise').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct usage?