'垫付' (diàn fù) is a verb meaning 'to advance (funds)' — that is, to pay money on someone else’s behalf or before reimbursement is received. The character 垫 (diàn) literally means 'to pad' or 'to lay underneath', suggesting the idea of placing something temporarily in support; 付 (fù) means 'to pay'. Together, they convey the sense of 'paying first as a temporary measure', often implying expectation of later repayment or formal reimbursement. This term is commonly used in formal, administrative, or financial contexts — especially in healthcare, business, or government services.

It typically appears in written or semi-formal spoken Chinese, such as insurance claims, workplace expense reports, or hospital billing procedures. While it can be used transitively ('The company垫付了医疗费'), it is rarely used without an object in standard speech. Unlike casual alternatives like 先付 (xiān fù, 'pay first'), 垫付 carries a stronger implication of official responsibility or institutional arrangement.