How do you say 充值 in English?

[Kenny同志]

If the money on your credit card is used up and you need to put some money onto it or 充值, how do you say this? Also, if there is machine called 充值机, How would you say it?

谢谢同志们！

[roddy]

I think your English terminology might be a little off-target. A credit card is a 信用卡 and doesn't have money on it as such - you have a credit limit according to how much the bank trusts you. A 储值卡 - like for the bus or the school canteen - is a stored value card, but probably more often referred to as a bus card or a food card or something.

If we need to 充值 I guess we say top-up, or put money on. I suspect I may also say recharge, but that this is some bizarre cross-pollution from 充电 and 充值 making it into my English.

As for 充值机, I'm not sure. Top-up machine? I think there might be lots of different names depending on what kind of card and where it is.

[gato]

It's sometimes called refill. Google it for some examples.

[skylee]

For your reference, we can top-up our octopus card using machines at our subway stations in Hong Kong. (The octopus card is a stored-value card that can be used on public transport and various kinds of shopping.) The machines are simply called "Octopus Add Value Machine". Take a look at this -> http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/about_octopus_add_value.html

Such cards are used all over the world. I have in my collection the Oyster Card (London), the Suica card (Japan East), Smart T-money (Korea), 上海公交卡, 北京一卡通, 悠遊卡(Taipei) and the cards used in Lisbon and Porto. Most (if not all) of these can be recharged using a vending machine. (I can't locate my 悠遊卡!!!)

PS - There is usually also an automatic reloading service (names vary) for such cards. In HK it is simply called "Automatic Add Value Service". Take a look -> http://www.octopus.com.hk/easy-reloading/top-up-with-aavs/en/index.html

[renzhe]

I think what you're referring to is some kind of a debit card, which needs to be pre-loaded.

These things exist in some European countries, but are not really all that common, and tend to have a local name (in Germany, it's "Geldkarte"). Most of the transactions are done either by debit cards which book the amount directly from your bank account (and don't have to be loaded), or real credit cards, where you purchase things and get a bill once a month.

The "first charge then use" system is something more commonly used for mobile phones.

[Kenny同志]

Thanks everyone. I am sorry I have used a not-so-proper example because I am not familiar with the use of a credit card. I don't have one.

So if the money in my bus card(a kind of stored-value card that is, I think this example is what I meant) is used up, then I will need to "refill it" or "top-up" it, am I right? By the way, can "top-up" be used as a verb. I can't find it in a dictionary.

[skylee]

Or recharge it, or reload it, or put money on it.

Take a look at this to see how you can describe the action -> http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14836.aspx

[Yezze]

So if the money in my bus or food card(a kind of stored-value card that is, I think this example is what I meant) is used up, then I will need to "refill it" or "top-up" it, am I right? By the way, can "top-up" be used as a verb. I can't find it in a dictionary.

If it has a stored-value (ex- debit card), most people where i live (and where I've been), would use the phrase "I need to deposit more money into account", or something very similar. I haven't really heard of anyone saying "refill" or top-up (this one, not at all).

Ex-

A: I need to go to the bank today

B: Why

A: To depoist more money into my account. (Doing this, allows you to use the card, since it takes the money out of an account when you buy something, and when you have none left, you would have to use a credit card).

But, if it is like a bus card (as in just for bus fares), refill would be just fine.

Top-Up could be used as a verb, but it is informal. Ex- I need to "top-up" my bus card. Although, this isn't very authentic English.

I don't know if that helps, or is any clearer.

[Kenny同志]

非常谢谢同志们。

I think I'll go with "top up" and "top-up machine". One of the sources (Transport for London) Skylee gave above says, "How it works If your balance is less than £5 when you touch your card on the yellow reader, your card will be topped up automatically from your bank account or credit card." and another source I've found says, "Top-up machine Insert your Circuit Laundry Card into the top-up machine. Your balance and unique card number will be shown. Enter your top-up number. Your new balance will be displayed and you’ll be asked to remove your card. You can now use the laundry."

Transport for London: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14838.aspx

Another source: http://www.circuitcardtopup.com/roundthornmanchester/instructions/

I can't use the "insert link" button. Don't know why.

再次谢谢同志们。

[SiMaKe]

@kenny2006woo

Turns out your original choice of "credit card" is also just fine. These types of cards come in many different "flavors". The generic term is generally something containing "prepaid" or "rechargeable". For example a card for purchasing coffee at Dunkin Donuts (a coffee shop franchise chain in the USA) is called a prepaid or rechargeable coffee card. For other services they are typically called "prepaid XXX cards" (phone, gift, bus, food, etc). There are also prepaid credit and debit cards. Sometimes other terms are also used.

Here is a partial list from a company I came across whose business is issuing such cards:

"Prepaid Credit Card, virtual prepaid credit card, prepaid mastercard, prepaid offshore international credit card, prepaid debit card, virtual credit card, international prepaid credit card, prepaid maestro card, prepaid debit cards".

As for refilling, in the US (and likely elsewhere), they can be charged/recharged using almost any kind of legal tender or account: a bank account (electronically), another credit or debit card, check, cash, travelers checks.

However, I don't know what the technical term is for the device that is used to embed the amounts on the magnetic strip in the cards.

I'm sure each locale has their own terms for recharging the cards. In the USA, I usually hear recharge or refill. "Top up" sounds British to me. However, we do "top off" our gas tanks so go figure.:blink:

[renzhe]

Doing this, allows you to use the card, since it takes the money out of an account when you buy something

I think that he's talking about a chip card, where the money is actually stored on the card itself (as a number), and not on a separate account. Something like a bus card, but sometimes you can use these cards for other things (buy cigarettes or food from vending machines, etc.)

Prepaid card is probably the best name for it, but the term "prepaid card" always reminds me of mobile phone SIM cards.

I guess that "top-up" might be a common word for it in London. I'd say "recharge" or "refill". Or "load".

[LiScing]

For a New York City MetroCard (subway or bus), one simply hands the card to the attendant in the booth and says, "Add four dollars, please." Or one can use the automated machines.

[Kenny同志]

Originally written by Renzhe

I think that he's talking about a chip card,

Yes, exactly.

Thanks for your replies.

[Kenny同志]

Another question:

money on my card VS money in my card

Which one is correct?

[gato]

Yes, "top up" is a British usage.

[roddy]

Money on my card.

[Kenny同志]

谢谢Roddy老大。

[Guoke]

If I'm not wrong, "添值", rather than "充值”, is more commonly used in Singapore and Malaysia. Is "添值" also used in mainland China and Taiwan?

[Kenny同志]

Is "添值" also used in mainland China and Taiwan?

No, it isn't in mainland China. I'd never heard this word before.

[Daan]

It's not used in Taiwan or Hong Kong either.