十二块五 · 五毛
saying prices: 块 and 毛 in speech, 元 and 角 in writing
Structure
数词 + 块（元） + 数词 + 毛（角） （+ 数词 + 分）
What it means
1 块 = 10 毛 = 100 分. People say 块 and 毛; tags and receipts write 元 (or ¥), and formal writing uses 角 (jiǎo).
How it is built
Number + 块 + number (+ 毛): 三块五 (¥3.50); the second unit is usually dropped. 钱 can follow: 五块钱. 分 is rarely said today.
When to use it
Say 块 and 毛 when you talk. Tags and receipts write 元 or ¥: 这个钱包一百二十元 (¥120). Formal writing uses 角 for 毛.
Watch out
✗ 二块 ✓ 两块 (¥2). A lone 2 before 块 or 毛 is 两, but it stays 二 in 十二块 and 二十块 and at the end: 一块二 (¥1.20).
Examples
这个苹果三块五。
This apple is ¥3.50.
两块八，行吗？
Would ¥2.80 be OK?
这个钱包一百二十元。
This wallet costs ¥120. (written style: 元)
我身上有五毛钱。
I’ve got ¥0.50 on me.
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 10: 多少钱 (How much is it?)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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