Lesson 33: At the Bank & Money Transfers

1. Introduction | 介绍 | Introdução

Banking is an essential skill for anyone living, working, or traveling abroad. Whether you’re opening a bank account, transferring money, or asking about fees, being able to communicate clearly in English, Mandarin, and Portuguese is crucial.

In this lesson, you will:

• Learn vocabulary for banking and money transfers.

• Use phrases for account services, transactions, and fees.

• Practice real dialogues between clients and bank staff.

• Understand cultural tips about banking etiquette in different countries.

• Test your knowledge with practical exercises.

2. Vocabulary Table | 词汇表 | Vocabulário

3. Useful Phrases | 实用短语 | Frases Úteis

Opening an Account | 开户 | Abrir Conta

• “I’d like to open a savings account.”
  我想开一个储蓄账户。
  Wǒ xiǎng kāi yí gè chǔxù zhànghù.
  Gostaria de abrir uma conta poupança.

• “What documents do I need to open an account?”
  开户需要哪些文件？
  Kāihù xūyào nǎxiē wénjiàn?
  Quais documentos preciso para abrir a conta?

• “Is there a monthly fee for this account?”
  这个账户有月费吗？
  Zhège zhànghù yǒu yuèfèi ma?
  Esta conta tem taxa mensal?

Deposits, Withdrawals & Transfers | 存款、取款和汇款 | Depósitos, Levantamentos e Transferências

• “I’d like to deposit $500 into my account.”
  我想往账户里存五百美元。
  Wǒ xiǎng wǎng zhànghù lǐ cún wǔbǎi měiyuán.
  Gostaria de depositar 500 dólares na minha conta.

• “Can I withdraw cash from this ATM?”
  我可以在这台取款机取钱吗？
  Wǒ kěyǐ zài zhè tái qǔkuǎnjī qǔ qián ma?
  Posso levantar dinheiro neste multibanco?

• “How much is the fee for an international transfer?”
  国际汇款的手续费是多少？
  Guójì huìkuǎn de shǒuxùfèi shì duōshǎo?
  Qual é a comissão para uma transferência internacional?

Asking About Rates & Services | 询问利率与服务 | Perguntar Sobre Taxas e Serviços

• “What is the current exchange rate for US dollars?”
  现在美元的汇率是多少？
  Xiànzài měiyuán de huìlǜ shì duōshǎo?
  Qual é a taxa de câmbio atual para dólares?

• “What is the interest rate on personal loans?”
  个人贷款的利率是多少？
  Gèrén dàikuǎn de lìlǜ shì duōshǎo?
  Qual é a taxa de juro para empréstimos pessoais?

• “Could you help me transfer money to another account?”
  你能帮我转账到另一个账户吗？
  Nǐ néng bāng wǒ zhuǎnzhàng dào lìng yí gè zhànghù ma?
  Pode ajudar-me a transferir dinheiro para outra conta?

4. Dialogues | 对话 | Diálogos

Dialogue 1: Opening an Account

English
Clerk: Good morning, how can I help you today?
Customer: Hello, I’d like to open a checking account.
Clerk: Certainly. May I see your ID and proof of address?
Customer: Sure, here they are. Are there any monthly fees?
Clerk: This account has no fees if your balance stays above $500.

中文 (Pinyin)
柜员：早上好，请问今天需要办理什么业务？
(guìyuán: zǎoshàng hǎo, qǐngwèn jīntiān xūyào bànlǐ shénme yèwù?)
顾客：你好，我想开一个活期账户。
(gùkè: nǐhǎo, wǒ xiǎng kāi yí gè huóqī zhànghù.)
柜员：好的，可以看一下您的身份证和住址证明吗？
(guìyuán: hǎode, kěyǐ kàn yíxià nín de shēnfènzhèng hé zhùzhǐ zhèngmíng ma?)
顾客：当然，这是我的文件。这账户有月费吗？
(gùkè: dāngrán, zhè shì wǒ de wénjiàn. zhè zhànghù yǒu yuèfèi ma?)
柜员：如果余额超过五百美元，就没有月费。
(guìyuán: rúguǒ yú’é chāoguò wǔbǎi měiyuán, jiù méiyǒu yuèfèi.)

Português
Funcionário: Bom dia, em que posso ajudar hoje?
Cliente: Olá, gostaria de abrir uma conta corrente.
Funcionário: Claro. Posso ver o seu bilhete de identidade e comprovativo de morada?
Cliente: Claro, aqui estão. Esta conta tem taxa mensal?
Funcionário: Não, desde que o saldo se mantenha acima de 500 dólares.

Dialogue 2: Transferring Money

English
Customer: Hi, I need to transfer $1,000 to a bank account overseas.
Clerk: Certainly. May I have the account details?
Customer: Here you go. How much is the fee?
Clerk: The transfer fee is $25, and it will take 3–5 business days.

中文 (Pinyin)
顾客：你好，我需要汇一千美元到国外账户。
(gùkè: nǐhǎo, wǒ xūyào huì yìqiān měiyuán dào guówài zhànghù.)
柜员：好的，请提供账户信息。
(guìyuán: hǎode, qǐng tígōng zhànghù xìnxī.)
顾客：给你，这个手续费是多少？
(gùkè: gěi nǐ, zhège shǒuxùfèi shì duōshǎo?)
柜员：手续费是二十五美元，三到五个工作日到账。
(guìyuán: shǒuxùfèi shì èrshíwǔ měiyuán, sān dào wǔ gè gōngzuòrì dàozhàng.)

Português
Cliente: Olá, preciso transferir 1.000 dólares para uma conta bancária no estrangeiro.
Funcionário: Claro. Pode dar-me os dados da conta?
Cliente: Aqui estão. Qual é a comissão?
Funcionário: A taxa é de 25 dólares, e a transferência demora 3 a 5 dias úteis.

5. Cultural Tips | 文化提示 | Dicas Culturais

1. In China, banks require passports for any foreigner transactions. Be patient—paperwork can take time.

2. In Portuguese-speaking countries, some banks charge extra for international transfers; always ask about hidden fees.

3. Politeness matters—always greet the bank clerk and use formal address (“您 / Nín” in Mandarin, “o/a senhor(a)” in Portuguese).

4. Many countries require proof of address to open accounts—bring a utility bill or rental contract.

6. Practice Exercises | 练习 | Exercícios

1. Translate into Mandarin and Portuguese:

   • “I’d like to withdraw $200 in cash.”

   • “What is the current interest rate for savings accounts?”

   • “Can you help me send a wire transfer?”

2. Fill in the blanks (English):

   • “I want to ______ a savings account.” (open)

   • “What is the ______ for international transfers?” (fee)

   • “Can I withdraw cash from this ______?” (ATM)

3. Roleplay

   • One student plays a bank teller, the other a client opening an account and transferring money. Practice in all three languages.

7. Review | 总结 | Revisão

In this lesson, you learned:

• Banking and money transfer vocabulary in English, Mandarin, and Portuguese.

• Phrases for opening accounts, making deposits, and sending money.

• Realistic dialogues with bank staff.

• Cultural tips for banking etiquette across regions.