noun HSK 5
Traditional 債務
debt · liability · financial obligation
Meaning
债务 refers to money or obligations owed to another party. It encompasses all forms of debt, from personal loans to national debt, and is commonly used in financial, legal, and everyday contexts when discussing money owed.
Usage
This is a formal term frequently used in financial, business, and legal contexts. In everyday conversation, people might also use 欠债 (qiàn zhài) for personal debts. 债务 often appears in compound terms related to finance and economics, such as discussing debt crises, repayment, or creditors.
Examples
- 01他背负着沉重的债务，压力很大。, .He carries a heavy debt burden and is under a lot of pressure.
- 02这家公司必须尽快偿还债务。.This company must repay its debts as soon as possible.
Characters
Measure words
- 笔一笔债务
- 项几项债务
Common collocations
- 债务危机debt crisis
- 偿还债务to repay debts
- 债务负担debt burden
- 国家债务national debt
Antonyms
Origin
债 originally combined the person radical (亻) with 责 (responsibility), indicating a person's obligation. 务 means affairs or duties. Together they emphasize debt as a formal obligation or duty to repay.