The Confusion that is Chinese Money.

I know, it makes no sense but here it is- the breakdown of what is what in Chinese money (and their US equivalents):


Renminbi (RMB)- the System of currency. (Equivalent term: USD.)
Yuan- Unit of the RMB (Equivalent term: Dollar.)
Kuai- The same as Yuan, only spoken. (Equivalent term: Buck.)
Jiao- United of RMB, 10 jiao= 1 yuan. (Equivalent term: Dime.)
Mao- The same as Jiao, only spoken. (Equivalent term: Dime.)
Fen- Unit of RMB, 10 fen= 1 jiao. (Equivalent term: Penny.)


It gets confusing since all most all of these units come in both coins and bills. And even more confusing when the clerk says “shi kuai wu” which means “10 kuai 5” so…5 what? ...Fen? …Mao? …Jiao? …Jiao is a small bill with a number 1 on it, …but so is the fen- but the jiao is worth 10 fen!... but no one ever uses fen so why do they have them!? And I suddenly am not sure if my Chinese buns are worth the hassle.


For more details check out this great article explaining it all better than I ever could on BBC… Why All the Names?