Meaning and Usage
The verb 充值 (chōngzhí) means to add money or credit to an account, card, or service. It is commonly used for mobile phone SIM cards, transportation cards, online game accounts, and other prepaid services.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 充值 when talking about topping up prepaid cards or accounts to continue using services. For example, 手机充值 (mobile phone recharge), 公交卡充值 (bus card recharge), or 游戏充值 (game recharge).
Collocations and Patterns
These collocations are used in everyday life when discussing adding money to various prepaid services.
Usage Notes
充值 is a formal and standard term used in both spoken and written Chinese. It specifically refers to adding monetary value, unlike some verbs that might mean 'fill' or 'supply' in other contexts. Avoid confusing 充值 with 充电 (to charge an electronic device), which is a different concept.
Summary
Use 充值 when you want to talk about adding money or credit to prepaid cards or accounts. It is a practical word for daily life, especially in urban settings where prepaid services are common.