Communicate in Chinese 交际汉语 Lesson 12 Changing money

会话 A
(酒店前台外币兑换处。)
小江：劳驾，我要换钱。
甲：请问，您换多少？
小江：今天英镑与人民币的比价是多少？
甲：今天的比价是1∶13.01。
小江：请问和银行的汇率一样吗？
甲：当然一样。
小江：(自语)我换60 英镑吧。
甲：请您先填一下兑换单。
小江：我可以用信用卡吗？
甲：不可以。但是您可以用旅行支票。
小江：……
甲：这是您的人民币。
小江：请问，我可以换一些硬币吗？我喜欢集硬币。
甲：当然可以。
小江：谢谢(接过硬币)。
甲：请您在这(儿)填一下您的名字。
Translation:
(At foreign currency exchange counter of hotel reception.)
Xiao Jiang: Excuse me, I would like to change money.
A: Could I ask how much you’re changing?
Xiao Jiang: What’s the exchange rate between the British pound and the RMB?
A: Today’s exchange rate is 1:13.01
Xiao Jiang: Could you tell me if that’s the same as bank exchange rates?
A: Of course it is.
Xiao Jiang: (says to himself) I’ll change 60 pounds.
A: Please fill out the exchange form.
Xiao Jiang: Could I use my credit cards?
A: No, you can’t. But you can use traveller’s cheques.
Xiao Jiang: …
A: This is your RMB.
Xiao Jiang: Thanks. Could I get some coins? I like collecting coins.
A: Of course you can.
Xiao Jiang: Thanks. (accepts coins.)
A: Please fill in your name here.
会话 B
(银行外币兑换台。)
刘明：劳驾，这(儿)可以换外币吗？
甲：可以。请问您换哪种外币？
刘明：我换美元，5000美元。
甲：请您先填一下兑换单。
刘明：今天美元对人民币的比价是多少？
甲：1∶8.29。
刘明：好，比昨天换值！
甲：请问您要现钞还是旅行支票？
刘明：我要4800 元旅行支票，200元现钞。
甲：好，请稍等。
刘明：劳驾，可不可以给我五张二十元，十张十元的现钞？
甲：没问题。请您点一下(儿)。4800元旅行支票，200元现钞。
Translation:
(Foreign currency exchange counter.)
Liu Ming: Excuse me, can you change foreign currency here?
A: Yes. Which foreign currency would you like to change?
Liu Ming: I want to change US dollars, 5000 US dollars.
A: Please fill in the exchange form first.
Liu Ming: What’s the rate of the US dollar to the RMB today?
A: 1:8.29.
Liu Ming: Good, better value than yesterday!
A: Would you like cash or traveller’s cheques?
Liu Ming: I want 4800 Yuan in traveller’s cheques, 200 Yuan cash.
A: OK, please wait a moment.
Liu Ming: Could you give me cash with 5 twenty Yuan’s, 10 ten Yuan notes?
A: No problem. Please count it. 4800 Yuan in traveller’s cheques and 200 Yuan cash.

Cultural Background
Chinese currency, foreign exchange, credit cards, traveller´s cheques
Source: CCTV.com
05-29-2007 17:53
Chinese currency (RMB):
Payments in China are made in its national currency, the renminbi or RMB, issued by the central bank—the People's Bank of China. The RMB enjoys 55 years of history and so far five different series of the notes and coins have been issued. The unit for the RMB is Yuan, or shortened to "RMB " or "￥", the other units are Jiao and Fen. The RMB does not have stipulated gold content, it is a form of measurement and unit of exchange. Currently, there are thirteen denominations for the RMB: 100 Yuan, 50 Yuan, 20 Yuan, 10 Yuan, 5 Yuan, 2 Yuan, 1 Yuan, 5 Jiao, 2 Jiao, 1 Jiao；in coins:1 Yuan, 5 Jiao, 2 Jiao, 1 Jiao, 5 Fen, 2 Fen, 1 Fen. The Yuan is the main unit of currency, while the Jiao and Fen are supplementary units. One Yuan = 10 Jiao = 100 Fen. Coins and notes are equally convertible. To meet the needs of collectors, since 1984, the People's Bank of China also issued convertible souvenir coin sets. Tattered and damaged notes or coins are to be exchanged at banks and will be destroyed by the People's Bank of China. In daily life, the Chinese refer to the "Yuan "as "Kuai ", "One Yuan" is called "One Kuai". The "Jiao" is often called "Mao".
Foreign exchange:
Foreign currencies are not used in China and payments are not made in foreign currencies. International visitors to China should pay in the Chinese currency, the RMB. The Bank of China and other designated foreign currency banks can process traveller's cheques in foreign currency, exchange money using foreign credit cards, and also exchange money for eight foreign currencies as well as the New Taipei currency of China. The currencies include: US dollar, British pound, Japanese yen, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, Swiss franc, Euro, Singapore dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Macau patacas, etc. It is very convenient to change money in China, stores and hotels all offer the service. Exchange rates are available from counters in various major hotels, the China Daily, financial programs on television or the radio, as well as the internet. Daily rates are the same in all cities across China, so you can exchange money free of concerns.
Credit cards:
Currently, foreign credit cards that can be used in China include MasterCard, American Express, Diner Club Card, VisaCard, JCB card. Cardholders can withdraw cash at the Bank of China, exchange money at Bank of China outlets, or use the credit cards at certain stores, restaurants, hotels.
Traveller's cheques:
For the convenience of travellers, the Bank of China can honour traveller's cheques from international commercial banks and traveller's cheque companies from countries and regions such as the US, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK, France, Switzerland, Germany, etc. The Bank of China also sells traveller's cheques on behalf of American Express, Citibank, UBS, Thomas Cook, Sumitomo Bank, etc.

Language Points
1、"一下" is used after verbs, not only does it denote the number of actions, but also the brevity of the action, it makes the expression casual.
For example:
a. Let me introduce.
b. Please come over.
c. Please wait a moment.
d. Please count the money.
2、"填上……" verb + (上) means to achieve some result or to attain a relatively high standard.
For example:
a. Due to outstanding work, he became section chief.
b. We had a new car to drive and a new house to live in.
3、"比……值" — 比 + adjective
For example:
a. Today’s exchange rate is lower than yesterday. He ate more than yesterday.
b. She is doing it better than in the morning.

Substitutional Drills
Could I go first?
Could I come again?
Could I drink some water?
Is it the same as yours?
Is it the same as Mr Wang’s book?
Is it the same variety as the flowers from yesterday?
Is it the same exchange rate as the day before yesterday?
Count it first.
Have a look first.
Look it up first.
Go there for a little while first.