本钱 represents the essential resources—whether financial or personal—that one relies on to achieve a goal or survive in a competitive environment.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to the original capital invested in a business.
- Metaphorically describes personal advantages or resources for success.
- Often used to express having the confidence to take risks.
1) 概览：本钱的字面意思是商业经营中的原始资金（即成本），但在现代汉语中，其语义范围已经大幅扩展。它不仅指金钱，更指一个人在追求成功时所具备的各种软硬实力，如年轻、健康、才华或人脉。
2) 用法模式：本钱通常作为名词使用，常与动词“花”、“赔”、“赚”、“看重”等搭配。在比喻义中，人们常说“年轻就是本钱”，强调拥有某种特质即拥有了竞争的底气。
3) 常见语境：该词在商业领域依然保留其原始含义，用于讨论生意投入。在日常生活中，它更多出现在职场讨论、人生规划或自我评价的语境中，用于衡量一个人是否具备承担风险或获取成功的条件。
4) 同义词辨析：与“资本”相比，“本钱”更具口语色彩，且带有明显的个人化和生存竞争的意味；“资本”则更正式，常用于经济学或宏观社会学讨论，语境更严肃且范围更广。
Examples
做生意不能只看眼前的利润，还要考虑本钱。
everydayWhen doing business, don't just look at immediate profits; consider the initial capital.
他认为自己有足够的本钱去挑战这个职位。
formalHe believes he has enough qualifications to challenge for this position.
年轻就是本钱，多尝试几次没关系。
informalYouth is your capital; it's okay to try a few more times.
人力资源被视为企业发展的核心本钱。
academicHuman resources are seen as the core capital for enterprise development.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
赔了本钱
Lose the initial investment
本钱雄厚
Having significant resources/capital
没有本钱
Having no foundation or capital
Often Confused With
Capital is more formal and often used in economic or social contexts, whereas 本钱 is more personal and colloquial.
Cost refers specifically to the expenses incurred during production or operation, while 本钱 focuses on the initial investment or personal resources.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
本钱 is versatile but leans towards colloquial usage. Use it when talking about personal advantages or small-scale business investments. In professional financial contexts, prefer using '资本' or '投资'.
Common Mistakes
Don't use it to describe abstract concepts like 'social capital' in a sociological essay. Also, avoid using it as a direct synonym for 'salary' or 'income'. Remember that it implies an 'investment' or 'foundation' rather than just 'money'.
Tips
Use in metaphorical contexts
Don't limit this word to money. You can use it to describe personal traits like intelligence or youth.
Avoid formal business reports
In formal financial reports, use '资本' (capital) or '成本' (cost) instead of '本钱' to sound more professional.
The mindset of '底气'
In Chinese culture, '本钱' is closely related to the idea of '底气' (inner strength/confidence), suggesting that one needs a foundation before taking risks.
Word Origin
The word combines '本' (root/origin/capital) and '钱' (money). It originated from merchant terminology referring to the principal sum invested in trade.
Cultural Context
In Chinese society, the phrase '年轻就是本钱' is a cultural staple, often used by elders to encourage younger generations to take risks, highlighting the cultural value placed on energy and potential over current wealth.
Memory Tip
Think of '本钱' as your 'base money' or 'base power'. If you have a strong base, you have the confidence to bet on your future!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“本钱”更口语化，侧重于个人的投入和底气；“资本”则更书面，多用于经济、社会或宏观层面的讨论。
这句话意在表达年轻人拥有时间和精力，即使失败了也有机会从头再来，这是一种宝贵的竞争资源。
这意味着你投入的原始资金亏损了，也就是通常所说的“赔本”。
可以用于“我有...的本钱”或“把...当作本钱”，表示拥有某种优势。
Test Yourself
他虽然年纪轻轻，但经验丰富，这就是他创业的___。
此处指他创业所依赖的优势资源。
以下哪种情况最适合使用“本钱”一词？
本钱常用于比喻个人具备的资源。
是 / 他 / 身体 / 的 / 本钱 / 好
强调身体健康是个人重要的资源。
Score: /3
Summary
本钱 represents the essential resources—whether financial or personal—that one relies on to achieve a goal or survive in a competitive environment.
- Refers to the original capital invested in a business.
- Metaphorically describes personal advantages or resources for success.
- Often used to express having the confidence to take risks.
Use in metaphorical contexts
Don't limit this word to money. You can use it to describe personal traits like intelligence or youth.
Avoid formal business reports
In formal financial reports, use '资本' (capital) or '成本' (cost) instead of '本钱' to sound more professional.
The mindset of '底气'
In Chinese culture, '本钱' is closely related to the idea of '底气' (inner strength/confidence), suggesting that one needs a foundation before taking risks.
Examples
4 of 4做生意不能只看眼前的利润，还要考虑本钱。
When doing business, don't just look at immediate profits; consider the initial capital.
他认为自己有足够的本钱去挑战这个职位。
He believes he has enough qualifications to challenge for this position.
年轻就是本钱，多尝试几次没关系。
Youth is your capital; it's okay to try a few more times.
人力资源被视为企业发展的核心本钱。
Human resources are seen as the core capital for enterprise development.
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