不用找了。
Keep the change.
Littéralement: No need to look for (change) anymore.
Use it when handing over cash to show appreciation by letting the person keep the small change.
En 15 secondes
- Use it to tell a vendor to keep the change.
- Best for taxis, delivery drivers, and small street stalls.
- A polite way to show extra gratitude without formal tipping.
Signification
This is the classic way to tell someone to keep the change after a transaction. It literally tells the person they don't need to look for or find the remaining money.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Paying a taxi driver
师傅，二十块，不用找了。
Master (driver), here is twenty, keep the change.
Ordering street food
老板，这五块钱不用找了。
Boss, no need to give me change for this five yuan.
A business lunch (paying the bill)
服务员，剩下的不用找了，谢谢。
Waiter, keep the rest as change, thank you.
Contexte culturel
While China is not a tipping society, this phrase serves as a functional tip. It is rooted in the concept of 'convenience for both parties.' It became a staple of 1990s and 2000s cinema to show a character was wealthy or in a rush.
The Hand Wave
When you say this, a small, polite wave of the hand (palm down or sideways) adds a lot of natural flair.
Digital Payments
Don't say this if you are using a QR code! You enter the amount yourself, so there is no 'change' to keep.
En 15 secondes
- Use it to tell a vendor to keep the change.
- Best for taxis, delivery drivers, and small street stalls.
- A polite way to show extra gratitude without formal tipping.
What It Means
不用找了 (bù yòng zhǎo le) is your go-to phrase for tipping or being generous. In Chinese, 找 (zhǎo) means to look for, but in a money context, it means to give change. By adding 不用 (no need) and the completion particle 了, you are telling the vendor to stop reaching for those coins. It is simple, direct, and makes you look like a total pro.
How To Use It
Use this right as you hand over your cash. If the bill is 18 RMB and you hand over a 20, just say it with a smile. You don't need a long speech. Just hand the money and drop the phrase. It works best with physical cash. If you are using WeChat Pay or Alipay, this phrase is basically obsolete since you type the exact amount!
When To Use It
You will use this most often in taxis or small family-run restaurants. It is great for rounding up a bill to show appreciation. Use it when the service was fast or the driver took a shortcut. It is also perfect for delivery drivers who climbed five flights of stairs. It makes a small gesture feel like a warm 'thank you'.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this in high-end luxury malls or government offices. It might come off as slightly patronizing if the change is a large amount. Avoid using it if the change is like 50 cents and you say it too loudly. You don't want to look like you're 'performing' charity. Also, never use it if you actually need that money back for the bus!
Cultural Background
China doesn't have a formal tipping culture like the US. However, 'rounding up' is a very common way to show respect. It is about 'giving face' and acknowledging hard work. In the past, searching for small coins was a hassle. Saying this saved everyone time and effort. It reflects a spirit of 'don't sweat the small stuff.'
Common Variations
You might hear 不用找零 (bù yòng zhǎo líng), which is slightly more formal. Some people just say 不用了 (bù yòng le) while waving their hand. If you are feeling extra generous, you can say 剩下的当小费吧 (shèng xià de dāng xiǎo fèi ba). But honestly, the original phrase is the most natural one you'll hear on the street.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is neutral to informal. It is perfectly safe for A1 learners to use in daily life. Just ensure the amount of change is relatively small to avoid awkwardness.
The Hand Wave
When you say this, a small, polite wave of the hand (palm down or sideways) adds a lot of natural flair.
Digital Payments
Don't say this if you are using a QR code! You enter the amount yourself, so there is no 'change' to keep.
The 'Small Change' Secret
In China, 'change' is often called '零钱' (líng qián). If you want to be specific, you can say '零钱不用找了'.
Exemples
6师傅，二十块，不用找了。
Master (driver), here is twenty, keep the change.
Using 'shī fu' makes you sound like a local.
老板，这五块钱不用找了。
Boss, no need to give me change for this five yuan.
Great for small snacks when you're in a hurry.
服务员，剩下的不用找了，谢谢。
Waiter, keep the rest as change, thank you.
A polite way to end a meal professionally.
放门口就行，零钱不用找了。
Just leave it at the door, no need for change.
Used if you left cash under the mat.
这一毛钱不用找了，拿去买豪宅吧！
Keep this 0.1 yuan change, go buy a mansion with it!
Sarcastic joke when the change is tiny.
老人家，这些钱您拿着，不用找了。
Old sir/madam, please take this money, no need for change.
Shows kindness and respect to elders.
Teste-toi
You are in a taxi and the fare is 19 RMB. You give 20 RMB.
司机先生，给您二十块，___。
The phrase '不用找了' is the specific way to say 'keep the change'.
Choose the correct verb for 'giving change'.
老板，别___钱了，我赶时间。
In the context of money, '找' (zhǎo) means to give back change.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Level of 'Keep the Change'
Street food, local taxis
不用找了！
Standard restaurants
剩下的不用找了。
High-end hotels
不用找零，谢谢。
Where to use 不用找了
Taxi Ride
Rounding up the fare
Street Stall
Buying jianbing
Delivery
Tipping the courier
Small Cafe
Quick coffee payment
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is the Chinese equivalent of a small tip. It is much more common than leaving a separate bill on the table.
It is usually for small amounts (coins or small bills). If you leave 100 RMB for a 10 RMB meal, it might be confusing or seen as showing off.
Not at all! It is generally seen as a kind and generous gesture, especially toward service workers.
They might be being polite! Just smile and repeat 拿着吧 (názhe ba), which means 'just take it'.
It's rare in big supermarkets because their accounts must balance perfectly. Stick to taxis and small shops.
Yes, 不用找零 (bù yòng zhǎo líng) sounds slightly more educated or formal.
Usually it means 'to look for.' In this context, it's short for 找钱 (zhǎo qián), which means to find the change to give back.
Yes, adding 谢谢 (xièxie) at the end makes it sound much warmer and less like a command.
Yes, it is universally understood across the Mandarin-speaking world.
Absolutely. It's very common to tell a taxi driver to keep 1 or 2 RMB.
Expressions liées
找钱
To give change
小费
Tip / Gratuity
零钱
Small change / pocket money
拿着吧
Keep it / Take it
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