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出資する

B1 verb 8 min read

出資する

shusshi suru

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 出資する in 30 Seconds

Explanation 出資する in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '出資する' (shusshi suru) often, but it is good to know it means 'to give money for a business.' Imagine you and your friend want to open a small shop. If you give your friend money to help start the shop, you are 'shusshi suru.' It is more formal than just 'giving' money. You can think of it as 'business giving.' You might hear it on the news when a big company gives money to a small company. Even though it is a B1 word, understanding the basic idea of 'paying to start a business' will help you understand business signs or simple news stories in Japan. Just remember: it's about business capital, not buying a snack!

At the A2 level, you can begin to distinguish between 'buying' (kau) and 'investing/contributing' (shusshi suru). In A2 Japanese, you might describe your job or your company. If you work for a famous company like Sony or Toyota, you might hear that they 'shusshi suru' in new technology companies. The grammar is usually '[Company A] ga [Company B] ni shusshi suru.' It's a useful word if you are interested in the economy or if you are reading simple business blogs. It shows that you understand the difference between a consumer (who buys things) and an investor or partner (who provides capital to make things). Try to recognize the kanji: 出 (to go out) and 資 (resources/money).

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '出資する' (shusshi suru) in professional contexts. This is the level where you might talk about startups, venture capital, or corporate partnerships. You should understand that 'shusshi suru' specifically refers to providing capital in exchange for equity or a stake in a company. This is different from 'toushi suru' (investing in general) or 'yuushi suru' (getting a loan from a bank). You can use it to explain how a company was founded or why a certain project has the budget it does. For example, 'Kono purojekuto ni wa, go-sha ga kyoudou de shusshi shite imasu' (Five companies are jointly contributing capital to this project). Mastery of this word is key for business Japanese.

At the B2 level, you should use '出資する' (shusshi suru) with precision, especially when discussing legal or financial structures. You should be familiar with related terms like 'shusshikin' (capital contribution), 'shusshisaki' (the entity receiving the investment), and 'shusshi hiritsu' (investment ratio). At this level, you can participate in discussions about management rights (keieiken) and how they relate to the amount of capital a company contributes. You should also be able to use the passive form 'shusshi sarete iru' to describe a company's financial backing. Understanding the nuance that 'shusshi' implies a share of the risk is important for nuanced business conversations and reading complex economic articles in the Nikkei.

At the C1 level, '出資する' (shusshi suru) becomes a tool for discussing complex corporate strategy and international finance. You should be able to discuss the implications of 'shusshi' in terms of governance, dividends (haitou), and exit strategies. You might use it when analyzing the relationship between parent companies and subsidiaries, or when discussing government-led investment funds. At this level, you should also understand the historical context of 'shusshi' in the Japanese 'keiretsu' system and how it differs from Western-style venture capital. You can use the word in high-level debates about economic policy, such as whether the government should 'shusshi suru' in failing industries to protect jobs.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '出資する' (shusshi suru) is near-native, allowing you to navigate the most complex legal and financial documents. You understand the subtle differences between 'shusshi,' 'shihon sanka' (capital participation), and 'baishuu' (acquisition). You can use the term in the context of private equity, mezzanine financing, and complex cross-shareholding arrangements. You are capable of drafting or critiquing business proposals where the terms of 'shusshi' are central. Furthermore, you can use the word metaphorically in academic or philosophical discussions about 'investing' effort or social capital into a community, while still maintaining the professional weight the word carries. You have a deep understanding of the legal obligations that come with being a 'shusshisha' (investor/contributor).

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

出資する in 30 Seconds

A formal business verb used when providing capital to a company or project, usually in exchange for equity or ownership stakes.
Commonly used in news and business settings to describe startups, joint ventures, and corporate funding rounds between organizations.
Distinguished from 'toushi' (general investment) by its specific focus on business capital, and from 'yuushi' (loans) because it doesn't require repayment.
Follows the grammatical pattern '[Person/Company] ga [Business] ni [Amount] o shusshi suru,' emphasizing the target of the financial contribution.

The Japanese verb 出資する (しゅっしする - shusshi suru) is a cornerstone of business and financial vocabulary. At its core, it means 'to invest capital' or 'to provide funds' for a business venture or a project. Unlike the more general term 投資する (toushi suru), which can refer to investing in stocks, real estate, or even one's self-improvement, 出資する specifically implies providing the necessary capital to start or sustain a business entity, often in exchange for equity or a stake in the company's future.

The Kanji Breakdown: The first kanji 出 (shutsu) means 'to go out' or 'to put out.' The second kanji 資 (shi) refers to 'resources,' 'capital,' or 'assets.' Combined with the helper verb する (suru), the word literally describes the act of 'putting out capital' into the world to make something happen.
Business Context: You will most frequently encounter this word in the world of startups, venture capital, and corporate partnerships. When a 'business angel' provides money to a new tech company, they are 出資する-ing. It carries a nuance of shared risk; when you provide capital this way, you are becoming a part-owner or a stakeholder in the success or failure of the enterprise.
Social Nuance: While it sounds formal, it is not restricted to billion-yen deals. If three friends decide to open a ramen shop and each puts in 1 million yen, they are all 出資する-ing into the shop. It emphasizes the act of contribution rather than the abstract concept of 'investment' as a market activity.

彼は新しいベンチャー企業に一千万円を出資することに決めた。
(He decided to invest ten million yen in a new venture company.)

In contemporary Japan, this word is increasingly common in the 'gig economy' and 'startup culture' (ベンチャー界隈). As more young entrepreneurs seek funding outside of traditional banking systems, the mechanics of how people 出資する have become a hot topic in business magazines like Nikkei Business. It is also used when governments or large organizations provide 'capital contributions' to international projects or NGOs.

政府はこのインフラプロジェクトに共同で出資する。
(The government will jointly contribute capital to this infrastructure project.)

To master this word, think of it as the 'active' side of business creation. It is the fuel that allows the engine of a company to start. Whether it is a small family business or a global conglomerate, the act of 出資する is what builds the financial foundation of the Japanese economy.

Using 出資する correctly requires understanding its grammatical environment. As a suru-verb, it is highly flexible but usually follows the pattern: [Entity A] が [Entity B] に [Amount] を出資する. This structure clearly defines who is giving, who is receiving, and how much is being contributed.

複数の投資家がそのスタートアップに出資する意向を示している。
(Multiple investors have shown their intention to invest capital in that startup.)

Notice the use of the particle に (ni) to indicate the target of the investment. This is vital. If you use を (o) for the target, it sounds like you are 'spending' the company rather than investing in it. The amount of money, however, takes the を (o) particle.

Formal Reporting: In formal news reports, you will often see it in the passive form: 出資されている (shusshi sarete iru). Example: 'The company is funded by X.' This emphasizes the stability and backing of the company rather than the act of the investor.
Joint Ventures: When two companies create a third company together, they 共同出資する (kyoudou shusshi suru). This is a very common phrase in the Japanese automotive and electronics industries, where partnerships are key to global competition.

親会社が51%を出資することで、経営権を握っている。
(By contributing 51% of the capital, the parent company holds management rights.)

In conversation, you might hear someone ask, "どこが出資してるの？" (Doko ga shusshi shiteru no?), meaning 'Who is funding this?' or 'Where is the capital coming from?' This is a common way to inquire about the financial backing of a project or a new restaurant in town. Even in casual settings, the word retains its 'capital' nuance, distinguishing it from simply 'paying' or 'buying.'

You won't hear 出資する at a supermarket or while hanging out with friends at a karaoke box, unless your friends are aspiring entrepreneurs. However, in specific professional and media environments, it is ubiquitous. Here are the primary places where this word lives and breathes.

Economic News (WBS, Nikkei): If you watch 'World Business Satellite' (WBS) on TV Tokyo or read the Nikkei newspaper, you will see this word daily. It is used to describe mergers, acquisitions, and the formation of new subsidiaries. Headlines like 'A社がB社に30%出資' (Company A invests 30% in Company B) are standard.
Business Reality Shows: Shows like 'マネーの虎' (Money no Tora), the original Japanese version of Shark Tank/Dragon's Den, revolve around this word. Entrepreneurs pitch their ideas, and the 'Tigers' decide whether they want to 出資する or not. The tension in the room usually peaks when a Tiger says, '私は一千万円出資します' (I will invest 10 million yen).

番組の最後に、投資家がそのアイディアに出資することを決めた。
(At the end of the program, the investor decided to provide capital for that idea.)

In the corporate office, specifically in departments like Business Development (事業開発), Finance (財務), or Legal (法務), 出資する is a technical term. It appears in contracts, memos, and strategy meetings. When a company wants to expand into a foreign market, they might look for a local partner to 出資する together in a joint venture.

Finally, in the world of venture capital (VC), the entire business model is based on 出資する. You will hear VCs talk about their 'portfolio companies' (出資先企業 - shusshisaki kigyou). If you are looking for a job at a startup in Tokyo, knowing this word is essential for understanding who owns the company and how much 'runway' they have based on their recent funding rounds.

Because Japanese has several words for 'investing' and 'giving money,' learners often trip over the nuances of 出資する. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 投資 (Toushi): While often interchangeable in English, in Japanese, 投資する is the broader 'umbrella' term. You can 投資する in stocks, crypto, or your education. However, 出資する is strictly for providing capital to a business or organization. You wouldn't say you 出資する in Bitcoin because Bitcoin isn't a business entity you are providing operating capital to.
Mistake 2: Confusing with 融資 (Yuushi): This is the most dangerous mistake in a business context. 融資 is a loan (debt). 出資 is an investment (equity). If you say a bank is going to 出資する, you are saying the bank wants to own part of your company. Usually, banks provide 融資 (loans) and do not want equity. Venture capitals, on the other hand, 出資する.

❌ 銀行から一億円出資してもらった。
✅ 銀行から一億円融資してもらった。
(Correct: I received a 100 million yen loan from the bank.)

Another mistake involves the particles. Remember that you 出資するに (to) a company, not を (object) a company. The money is the object, the company is the target.

Finally, avoid using 出資する for personal spending. You don't 'invest' in a new suit using this word; that would be 奮発する (funpatsu suru - to splurge) or 自分への投資 (investment in oneself). Keep 出資する for the boardroom and the startup pitch.

To truly sound like a native, you need to know when to use 出資する and when to reach for a synonym. Here is a breakdown of similar words and how they differ.

投資する (Toushi suru): The most common alternative. It's general. While 出資する is about the act of providing capital to a business entity, 投資する is about the expectation of profit from any asset. You invest (投資) in the stock market; you contribute capital (出資) to a specific startup.
融資する (Yuushi suru): As mentioned before, this is 'financing' or 'loaning.' The money must be paid back. In 出資, the money is usually not 'repaid' like a loan; instead, the investor wins if the company succeeds and loses if it fails.
拠出する (Kyoshutsu suru): This means 'to contribute' or 'to donate' to a fund. It is often used for pension funds (年金を拠出する) or international aid. It feels more like 'putting money into a pot' for a collective purpose rather than a profit-seeking business venture.

彼は慈善団体に寄付したが、ビジネスには出資するつもりはない。
(He donated to charity, but he has no intention of investing capital in a business.)

If you want to be more colloquial, you can say 資金を出す (shikin o dasu), which literally means 'to put out funds.' This is common in casual business talk among partners.

Choosing the right word depends on the legal and financial nature of the transaction. If you are talking about the foundation of a company, 出資する is almost always the most precise and professional choice.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

While '資' (Shi) now means capital, its ancient form depicted 'shells' (貝), which were used as money in ancient China, and 'next' (次), suggesting the resources one accumulates.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ʃɯssi sɯɾɯ

US ʃʊssi sʊru

The pitch accent is typically 'Heiban' (Flat), meaning the pitch stays relatively consistent across the word 'shusshi', with a slight drop for 'suru'.

Rhymes With

復帰する (fukki suru) 一致する (itchi suru) 実施する (jisshi suru) 屈指 (kusshi) 物資 (busshi) 必至 (hisshi) 熱視 (nesshi) 決起 (kekki)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'shushi' (one 's') which sounds like 'sushi' or 'seed/subject'. It must be 'shusshi'.
Over-emphasizing the 'u' sounds, making them too long.
Confusing the pitch accent with 'shushi' (meaning) which has a different pitch pattern.
Mispronouncing 'shi' as 'si'.
Merging 'shusshi' and 'suru' without a clear break.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common in business, but rarely seen in casual fiction or daily life.

Writing 4/5

Writing '資' correctly requires attention to stroke order and the 'shell' radical.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires confidence in professional settings.

Listening 3/5

Distinct sound, but can be confused with 'shushi' (sushi/subject) if context is missed.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

お金 (Okane) 会社 (Kaisha) 出す (Dasu) 投資 (Toushi) ビジネス (Business)

Learn Next

融資 (Yuushi) 資本金 (Shihonkin) 株式 (Kabushiki) 取締役 (Torishimariyaku) 買収 (Baishuu)

Advanced

第三者割当増資優先交渉権デューデリジェンスエグジット戦略時価総額

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs (Noun + する)

出資 (Noun) + する (Verb) = 出資する

Particle 'ni' for target of action

会社に出資する (Invest in a company)

Causative-passive (〜てもらう)

投資家に出資してもらう (To have an investor invest)

Relative clauses (Verb + Noun)

出資する会社 (The company that invests)

Passive voice (〜される)

その会社は政府に出資されている (That company is funded by the government)

Examples by Level

友達の店に出資する。

I will invest in my friend's shop.

Verb 'shusshi suru' with particle 'ni' for the target.

会社に出資しますか？

Will you invest in the company?

Polite question form.

父がその会社に出資した。

My father invested in that company.

Past tense 'shusshi shita'.

少しだけ出資する。

I will invest just a little bit.

Adverb 'sukoshi dake' modifying the verb.

だれが出資しますか？

Who will provide the capital?

Question word 'dare' as the subject.

出資するのは難しい。

Investing capital is difficult.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no wa'.

新しいビジネスに出資したい。

I want to invest in a new business.

Desire form 'shusshi shitai'.

みんなで出資しよう。

Let's all invest together.

Volitional form 'shusshi shiyou'.

有名な投資家がこの会社に出資する。

A famous investor will invest in this company.

Using 'toushika' (investor) as the subject.

彼は自分の貯金から出資した。

He invested from his own savings.

Particle 'kara' showing the source of funds.

出資する金額を決めましょう。

Let's decide the amount to invest.

Relative clause: 'shusshi suru kingaku' (the amount to invest).

このプロジェクトに出資する人は少ない。

There are few people who invest in this project.

Negative adjective 'sukunai' describing the subject.

銀行は出資するのではなく、融資する。

Banks don't invest capital; they provide loans.

Contrastive pattern 'no dewa naku' (not X but Y).

出資する前に、計画を確認する。

Before investing, I check the plan.

Temporal clause 'mae ni' (before).

彼女はIT企業に出資することに興味がある。

She is interested in investing in an IT company.

Phrase 'kyoumi ga aru' (to have interest).

会社を助けるために出資する。

I will invest capital to help the company.

Purpose clause 'tame ni' (in order to).

ベンチャーキャピタルがそのスタートアップに出資することを決めた。

The venture capital firm decided to invest in the startup.

Formal decision phrase 'koto ni kimeta'.

彼はエンジェル投資家として、多くの若手起業家に出資している。

As an angel investor, he invests in many young entrepreneurs.

Compound role 'angel toushika to shite'.

そのプロジェクトには複数の企業が共同で出資している。

Multiple companies are jointly contributing capital to that project.

Adverb 'kyoudou de' (jointly).

出資する条件として、経営権の一部を要求した。

As a condition for investing, they demanded a part of the management rights.

Noun 'jouken' (condition) with 'to shite'.

政府が環境エネルギー事業に積極的に出資する方針だ。

The government has a policy to actively invest in green energy businesses.

Noun 'houshin' (policy) at the end of the sentence.

自己資金だけで足りない場合は、外部から出資してもらう必要がある。

If self-funding is not enough, it is necessary to get external investment.

Causative-passive like form 'shusshi shite morau' (to have someone invest).

その会社は、海外の投資家からも出資されている。

That company is also funded by overseas investors.

Passive form 'shusshi sarete iru'.

新会社を設立するために、三社が均等に出資した。

In order to establish a new company, three companies invested equally.

Adverb 'kintou ni' (equally).

出資比率に応じて、配当金が分配される仕組みになっている。

The system is designed so that dividends are distributed according to the investment ratio.

Grammar 'ni oujite' (according to).

親会社が過半数を出資しているため、実質的な支配下にある。

Because the parent company has contributed a majority of the capital, it is effectively under their control.

Conjunction 'tame' (because) showing cause.

匿名組合を通じて出資するスキームが検討されている。

A scheme to invest through an anonymous partnership is being considered.

Particle 'tsuujite' (through/via).

ベンチャー企業に出資する際は、デューデリジェンスが不可欠だ。

When investing in a venture company, due diligence is indispensable.

Noun 'sai' (when/at the time of).

そのファンドは、主にアジアの成長企業に出資することを目的としている。

The fund aims primarily to invest in growing Asian companies.

Phrase 'moku-teki to shite iru' (has the objective of).

出資した資金がどのように使われているか、透明性が求められる。

Transparency is required regarding how the invested funds are being used.

Embedded question with 'ka'.

彼はリスクを承知の上で、そのハイテク産業に出資した。

He invested in that high-tech industry knowing the risks.

Grammar 'shouchi no ue de' (with knowledge of).

追加で出資するかどうかは、次回の決算報告を見て判断する。

Whether to invest more capital will be decided after seeing the next financial report.

Structure 'ka dou ka' (whether or not).

官民ファンドが地方創生プロジェクトに大規模に出資することが発表された。

It was announced that a public-private fund would invest heavily in a regional revitalization project.

Compound noun 'kan-min fando' (public-private fund).

第三者割当増資により、大手企業から出資を仰ぐことになった。

It was decided to seek investment from a major corporation through a third-party allotment of shares.

Humble verb 'aogu' (to look up to/seek).

出資契約書には、将来の株式公開に関する条項が含まれている。

The investment agreement contains clauses regarding a future initial public offering (IPO).

Technical term 'shusshi keiyakusho' (investment agreement).

複数の競合他社が同じ有望なAIベンチャーに出資し、技術提携を模索している。

Several competing companies are investing in the same promising AI venture and exploring technical alliances.

Verb 'mosaku suru' (to grope for/explore).

投資家が出資を引き揚げるという噂が広まり、株価が急落した。

Rumors spread that investors were withdrawing their capital, causing the stock price to plummet.

Verb 'hiki-ageru' (to withdraw/pull out).

資本提携の一環として、相互に出資し合うことで関係を強化する。

As part of a capital alliance, they will strengthen their relationship by investing in each other.

Reciprocal verb 'shusshi-au' (to invest in each other).

その事業は、多額の出資を受けながらも収益化に苦戦している。

Despite receiving a large amount of capital investment, that business is struggling to monetize.

Conjunction 'nagara mo' (even while/despite).

創業者は、外部からの出資を最小限に抑え、経営の独立性を保とうとした。

The founder tried to keep external investment to a minimum to maintain management independence.

Volitional 'tamotou to shita' (tried to maintain).

今回の出資は、グローバル市場におけるプレゼンスを確立するための戦略的布石である。

This capital contribution is a strategic move to establish a presence in the global market.

Metaphorical term 'fuseki' (strategic move/preliminary step).

議決権のない優先株による出資という形態が、資金調達の多様化に寄与している。

The form of investment through non-voting preferred shares is contributing to the diversification of fundraising.

Technical term 'yuusenkabu' (preferred stock).

法的拘束力のある出資意向表明書（LOI）の締結に向けた最終調整に入った。

Final adjustments have begun toward signing a legally binding Letter of Intent (LOI) for investment.

Legal term 'shusshi ikou hyoumeisho' (Letter of Intent).

出資比率の希薄化を防ぐため、既存株主には新株予約権が割り当てられた。

To prevent dilution of the investment ratio, existing shareholders were allocated stock acquisition rights.

Finance term 'kihakuka' (dilution).

ベンチャーキャピタルによる出資の引き揚げ、いわゆるキャピタルフライトが新興市場を直撃した。

The withdrawal of capital by venture capitals, so-called capital flight, hit emerging markets directly.

Loanword 'kyapitaru furaito' (capital flight).

出資に伴う善管注意義務の履行が、取締役会において改めて強調された。

The fulfillment of the duty of care as a good manager associated with the investment was re-emphasized at the board meeting.

Legal concept 'zenkan chuui gimu' (duty of care).

クロスボーダー出資における税制上の優遇措置を最大限に活用するスキームを構築した。

We constructed a scheme to maximize the use of tax incentives in cross-border capital contributions.

Compound 'kurosu-boudaa' (cross-border).

出資を通じたイノベーションの外部調達は、現代のオープンイノベーション戦略の根幹をなす。

The external procurement of innovation through capital investment forms the core of modern open innovation strategies.

Abstract phrase 'konkan o nasu' (forms the core).

Common Collocations

共同出資する

全額出資する

出資を仰ぐ

出資を募る

多額の出資

出資比率

出資者

出資金

出資先

出資契約

Common Phrases

出資を受ける

— To receive investment. It describes the perspective of the company getting the money.

そのベンチャーは有名企業から出資を受けた。

出資を控える

— To refrain from investing. Used when an investor is cautious due to risks.

不況のため、多くの企業が出資を控えている。

出資を募る

— To invite or solicit investment. Commonly used in crowdfunding or startup pitches.

新しいアプリの開発のために出資を募っている。

出資を検討する

— To consider investing. A standard phrase in business meetings and memos.

現在、そのプロジェクトへの出資を検討中だ。

出資を決定する

— To decide to invest. The final step in the funding process.

役員会は最終的に出資を決定した。

出資を継続する

— To continue investing. Used for ongoing support of a company.

業績が良いため、出資を継続することにした。

出資を打ち切る

— To cut off investment. Used when a project is failing or a partnership ends.

採算が合わないため、出資を打ち切ることにした。

出資を促す

— To encourage investment. Used when trying to persuade others to put in capital.

政府は海外からの出資を促す施策を行っている。

出資を減らす

— To reduce investment. Reducing the amount of capital or ownership stake.

リスク分散のため、一部の事業への出資を減らす。

出資を強める

— To strengthen investment. Increasing the amount of capital or involvement.

アジア市場での出資を強めている。

Often Confused With

出資する vs 投資 (Toushi)

Toushi is general (stocks, self); Shusshi is specific to business capital/equity.

出資する vs 融資 (Yuushi)

Yuushi is a loan to be repaid; Shusshi is a capital contribution for a stake.

出資する vs 寄付 (Kifu)

Kifu is a donation with no return; Shusshi expects a stake or future profit.

Idioms & Expressions

"身銭を切る"

— To pay out of one's own pocket. Often used when a founder invests their own savings.

彼は身銭を切って会社に出資した。

Colloquial

"財布の紐を締める"

— To tighten the purse strings. Used when investors stop contributing capital.

投資家たちが財布の紐を締めて、出資が難しくなった。

Metaphorical

"太っ腹な出資"

— Generous investment. Refers to someone giving a surprisingly large amount.

彼は太っ腹な出資をしてくれた。

Informal

"泥船に乗る"

— To get on a sinking ship. Investing in a business that is doomed to fail.

あの会社に出資するのは、泥船に乗るようなものだ。

Warning

"金の成る木"

— A money-making tree (Cash Cow). A business that is very profitable to invest in.

そのスタートアップは、まさに金の成る木への出資だった。

Business Slang

"青田買い"

— Buying the rice field while it's still green. Investing in a person or company before they become famous.

学生の起業に出資するのは、一種の青田買いだ。

Metaphorical

"一肌脱ぐ"

— To roll up one's sleeves to help. Often used when someone invests to help a friend's business.

彼の頼みなら、出資して一肌脱ごうじゃないか。

Idiomatic

"清水の舞台から飛び降りる"

— To jump off the stage of Kiyomizu Temple. Making a bold, risky decision to invest a huge sum.

清水の舞台から飛び降りる気持ちで、全財産を出資した。

Dramatic

"捕らぬ狸の皮算用"

— Counting raccoon skins before they are caught. Relying on profit from an investment before it happens.

出資する前から利益を考えるのは、捕らぬ狸の皮算用だ。

Proverb

"二の足を踏む"

— To hesitate or have second thoughts. Used when an investor is scared to provide capital.

リスクが高すぎて、出資に二の足を踏んでいる。

Common

Easily Confused

出資する vs 投資

Both involve giving money for future gain.

Investment (toushi) is broad; capital contribution (shusshi) is specifically for funding a business entity.

株に投資する vs. 会社に出資する

出資する vs 融資

Both provide money to a business.

Loan (yuushi) must be repaid; capital (shusshi) involves equity and shared risk.

銀行から融資を受ける vs. ベンチャーキャピタルから出資を受ける

出資する vs 拠出

Both involve providing funds to a pool.

Contribution (kyoshutsu) is usually for funds (pension, aid); shusshi is for profit-seeking businesses.

年金を拠出する vs. 事業に出資する

出資する vs 寄付

Both involve giving money.

Donation (kifu) is selfless; shusshi is a business transaction for ownership.

震災に寄付する vs. スタートアップに出資する

出資する vs 出捐

Both involve putting out assets.

Shutsuen is a legal/non-profit term for foundations; shusshi is for-profit.

財団に出捐する vs. 株式会社に出資する

Sentence Patterns

[Entity] に出資する。

新しい店に出資する。

[Amount] を出資する。

一千万円を出資する。

[Entity] から出資を受ける。

大手企業から出資を受ける。

共同で [Entity] に出資する。

三社が共同でその事業に出資する。

[Entity] が [Percentage] を出資する。

親会社が60%を出資する。

出資を仰ぐ。

外部の投資家に出資を仰ぐ。

出資を引き揚げる。

不採算部門から出資を引き揚げる。

出資を通じて [Goal] を達成する。

出資を通じて技術革新を促進する。

Word Family

Nouns

出資 (Shusshi) Capital contribution / Investment

出資者 (Shusshisha) Investor / Contributor of capital

出資金 (Shusshikin) Investment capital / Funds

出資法 (Shusshihou) The Capital Contribution Law

Verbs

出資し合う (Shusshi-au) To invest in each other / Jointly invest

出資を募る (Shusshi o tsunoru) To solicit investment

投資 (Investment)

融資 (Loan)

資本 (Capital)

株式 (Stock)

配当 (Dividend)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in business news, documents, and professional discussions; rare in casual daily life.

Common Mistakes

Using 'shusshi suru' for bank loans. → 融資する (yuushi suru)
Banks provide loans (debt), they don't usually take equity (shusshi).
Using 'shusshi suru' for buying things. → 買う (kau) or 投資する (toushi suru)
Shusshi is for business capital, not personal purchases.
Using the 'o' particle for the company. → 会社に (ni) 出資する
The company is the target/recipient, so 'ni' is required.
Confusing 'shusshi' with 'sushi'. → 出資 (shusshi)
The double 's' and the long 'i' sound are important for meaning.
Using 'shusshi' for charitable donations. → 寄付する (kifu suru)
Shusshi implies a business stake; kifu is a pure donation.

Tips

Particle Precision

Always use 'ni' for the company you invest in. 'A-sha ni shusshi suru.' Using 'o' makes it sound like you are disposing of the company.

Equity vs. Debt

In a meeting, clarify if you are talking about 'shusshi' (equity) or 'yuushi' (debt). This is a fundamental distinction in Japanese finance.

Noun Compounds

Learn 'shusshi-hiritsu' (investment ratio). It is essential for discussing who has control over a company.

Keiretsu Context

Understand that in Japan, 'shusshi' often represents a long-term alliance between companies, not just a financial transaction.

Kanji Meaning

Focus on '資' (capital). It contains '貝' (shell), the ancient symbol for money. This helps you remember it's about financial resources.

Humility in Investment

If you are the one investing, use 'shusshi sasete itadaku' to sound polite and respectful to the company founders.

Pitch Accents

Listen for the flat pitch. If the pitch drops on 'shi', it might be a different word.

Avoid Personal Use

Don't 'shusshi suru' in a new car or a vacation. That is 'toushi' (investment) or 'zeitaku' (luxury).

Shusshi-hou

Be aware that 'shusshi' is a legal term. Using it implies a formal agreement governed by Japanese commercial law.

News Immersion

Read the 'Business' section of NHK News Web Easy. 'Shusshi' appears frequently in stories about tech and startups.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'SHU' as 'Shooting' and 'SHI' as 'Shekels' (money). You are 'Shooting Shekels' into a new business to help it grow.

Visual Association

Imagine a person 'Putting Out' (出) a 'Treasure Chest' (資) onto a table for a business partner.

Word Web

Business Capital Equity Startup Partner Risk Profit Ownership

Challenge

Write a sentence about which famous Japanese company you would want to 'shusshi suru' in if you were a billionaire.

Word Origin

Composed of Sino-Japanese (Kango) roots. 'Shutsu' (出) means 'to put out' or 'provide,' and 'Shi' (資) means 'resources' or 'capital.'

Original meaning: The act of providing the necessary resources to conduct a business or enterprise.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

Be careful using this word when you just mean 'paying' for something. It sounds like you're trying to take over the business!

In English, we often use 'invest' for everything. Japanese is more precise, separating 'shusshi' (equity capital) from 'yuushi' (loans).

マネーの虎 (Money no Tora) - The show that popularized the drama of 'shusshi'. SoftBank - Known for its massive 'shusshi' in companies like Alibaba and Uber. Nikkei Business - The primary magazine where you'll see 'shusshi' analyzed.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Startup Funding

シードラウンドで出資する
ベンチャーキャピタルから出資を受ける
エンジェル投資家に出資を仰ぐ
出資比率を調整する

Corporate Partnerships

共同出資で子会社を設立する
業務提携に伴い出資する
相互に出資し合う
出資比率50%の合弁会社

Economic News

A社がB社への出資を検討
海外資本が日本企業に出資
政府がインフラ事業に出資
出資の引き揚げが相次ぐ

Personal Business Ventures

友人のカフェに出資する
自己資金を出資する
出資者を探している
出資した分を回収する

International Organizations

国際機関に資金を出資する
出資国としての責任
開発銀行への出資比率
拠出金と出資金の違い

Conversation Starters

"もし1億円あったら、どんな新しいビジネスに出資したいですか？ (If you had 100 million yen, what kind of new business would you want to invest in?)"

"最近、注目されている企業に出資するニュースを見ましたか？ (Have you seen the news about investing in recently trending companies?)"

"クラウドファンディングでプロジェクトに出資したことはありますか？ (Have you ever contributed capital to a project via crowdfunding?)"

"出資する時、一番大切だと思うことは何ですか？ (When providing capital, what do you think is the most important thing?)"

"友人が起業すると言ったら、あなたは出資しますか？ (If a friend said they were starting a business, would you invest?)"

Journal Prompts

自分が投資家になったつもりで、どのような基準で企業に「出資する」か詳しく書いてみてください。 (Imagine you are an investor and write in detail about what criteria you would use to 'invest capital' in a company.)

「投資する」と「出資する」の違いについて、自分の言葉で説明してください。 (Explain the difference between 'toushi suru' and 'shusshi suru' in your own words.)

最近気になっているスタートアップについて、なぜそこに出資する価値があると思うか論じてください。 (Discuss a startup you are recently interested in and why you think it is worth investing capital there.)

将来、自分の会社を設立するとしたら、誰に出資してもらいたいですか？ (If you were to establish your own company in the future, who would you want to invest in it?)

社会貢献のために出資するとしたら、どのような分野（教育、環境など）を選びますか？ (If you were to contribute capital for social good, which field (education, environment, etc.) would you choose?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically, buying new shares issued by a company is 'shusshi suru,' but buying existing stocks on the market is usually just called 'toushi suru' (investing) or 'kabu o kau' (buying stocks).

It means 'joint investment.' It's when two or more people or companies provide capital together to start a new business or project.

Yes, it is generally considered higher risk than 'yuushi' (loans) because if the company fails, the 'shusshisha' (investor) usually loses their entire contribution.

Unlike a loan, there is no set repayment date. You get a return through 'haitou' (dividends) or by selling your stake (exit) for a higher price later.

'Shusshikin' is the money contributed by an individual investor. 'Shihonkin' is the total capital of the company recorded on its balance sheet.

Yes, governments often provide capital to semi-public companies, infrastructure projects, or international organizations like the World Bank.

It means 'investor' or 'contributor of capital.' It refers to the person or entity that provides the funds.

Yes, specifically for 'equity crowdfunding' where you get shares in the company. For 'reward-based' crowdfunding, words like 'shien suru' (support) are more common.

You use the phrase 'shusshi o tsunoru' (出資を募る).

Usually no. For non-profits, 'shutsuen' or 'kifu' is used. 'Shusshi' strongly implies a business/capital relationship.