押金 yājīn deposit
deposit; down payment
How to remember 押金: 押 to arrest + 金 gold = deposit.
Characters
How it is used
- A deposit (refundable security) - 交押金 (jiāo yājīn) pay a deposit; 退押金 get the deposit back.
- Money held as security against damage/return (rentals, bikes, apartments), given back later. Distinguish from 定金/订金 (dìngjīn, a down-payment to reserve, often non-refundable).
- 押 (yā) = to pledge/pawn. 房租押金 = rental security deposit.