The word '拮据' describes a state of being hard up and facing financial difficulties.
拮据 in 30 Seconds
- Describes a state of financial hardship.
- Indicates difficulty in meeting expenses.
- Implies a lack of readily available funds.
Overview
拮据 (jié jū) 是一个形容词，用来描述经济状况非常紧张、手头拮据、难以支付日常开销的状态。这个词语形象地描绘了一个人或家庭在财务上面临的困境，常常意味着收入不足以覆盖支出，需要精打细算，甚至可能需要借贷或变卖资产来维持生计。
“拮据”通常用来形容个人、家庭或小型组织的经济状况。它可以单独使用，也可以与其他词语组合，如“生活拮据”、“经济拮据”、“手头拮据”。在使用时，它强调的是一种持续的、普遍的财务困难，而非暂时的短缺。
这个词语常见于描述个人财务困境、家庭经济压力、创业初期的资金短缺、失业后的生活状态等。例如，在新闻报道、小说、日常对话中，都可以听到或看到这个词，用来表达某人或某群体因经济原因而面临的种种不便和困难。
Examples
自从公司破产后，他的生活一直很拮据。
everydayEver since the company went bankrupt, his life has been very hard up.
创业初期，团队常常面临资金拮据的困境。
formalIn the early stages of entrepreneurship, the team often faced financial straits.
我这个月手头有点拮据，下周再请你吃饭吧。
informalI'm a bit short on cash this month, I'll treat you to a meal next week.
研究项目因经费拮据而被迫暂停。
academicThe research project had to be suspended due to funding shortages.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
经济拮据
financial straits
手头拮据
short of cash
生活拮据
living in straitened circumstances
Often Confused With
'困难' is a general term for difficulty, which can apply to many situations (e.g., difficult task, difficult person). '拮据' specifically refers to financial difficulty.
'贫穷' describes a state of being poor, often lacking basic necessities. '拮据' focuses more on the immediate lack of funds and inability to pay bills, even if basic needs might be met.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
The term '拮据' is primarily used to describe a state of financial difficulty. It is often used in contexts discussing personal finance, household budgets, or the financial struggles of small businesses or organizations. While it can be used formally, it also appears frequently in informal conversations about money problems.
A common mistake is to confuse '拮据' with general difficulty ('困难') or absolute poverty ('贫穷'). '拮据' implies a specific problem with cash flow and paying expenses, not necessarily a complete lack of resources or a generally impoverished state.
Tips
Think of tight finances.
When you hear '拮据', imagine someone trying to stretch every dollar and finding it hard to make ends meet.
Avoid overuse for temporary issues.
While '拮据' describes financial difficulty, it's best used for more persistent or significant struggles, not just a minor, temporary shortfall.
Emphasizes resourcefulness.
In cultures that value frugality, describing a situation as '拮据' can also subtly highlight the need for careful planning and resourcefulness.
Word Origin
The word '拮据' originates from classical Chinese. '拮' (jié) originally meant to pick up or pick out, and also to be distressed or worried. '据' (jū) meant to rely on or support. Together, they convey a sense of being distressed and lacking support, specifically in a financial context, implying difficulty in obtaining funds to rely on.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, which often values prudence and saving, openly discussing being '拮据' might be seen as sensitive. However, the term is widely understood and used to describe relatable financial challenges.
Memory Tip
Imagine '拮' (jié) as a knot that is tight, and '据' (jū) as a place you need to stand. When you are '拮据', your financial situation is tightly knotted, making it hard to stand firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“拮据”更侧重于指手头没有钱，支付能力不足，经济状况紧张。而“贫穷”则是一个更广的概念，指生活水平低下，缺乏基本的生活必需品和资源。
可以。当公司面临资金周转困难、收入无法覆盖成本时，也可以用“拮据”来形容其财务状况，但通常更常用于形容个人或家庭。
不一定。拮据并不意味着完全没有收入，而是指现有的收入不足以支付当前的开销，导致经济上感到压力和困难。
例如：由于疫情影响，许多小商贩的生意变得十分拮据。他刚毕业，工资不高，生活一直很拮据。
Test Yourself
由于突如其来的失业，他最近的生活变得非常______。
“拮据”表示经济困难，符合失业后生活水平下降的情境。
“拮据”最准确的含义是：
“拮据”的核心意思是经济上的困难和支付能力的不足。
请将以下词语组成一个有意义的句子：经济 / 困难 / 拮据 / 他 / 非常 / 近期
这个句子清晰地表达了“他”在近期面临经济上的困难。
Score: /3
Summary
The word '拮据' describes a state of being hard up and facing financial difficulties.
- Describes a state of financial hardship.
- Indicates difficulty in meeting expenses.
- Implies a lack of readily available funds.
Think of tight finances.
When you hear '拮据', imagine someone trying to stretch every dollar and finding it hard to make ends meet.
Avoid overuse for temporary issues.
While '拮据' describes financial difficulty, it's best used for more persistent or significant struggles, not just a minor, temporary shortfall.
Emphasizes resourcefulness.
In cultures that value frugality, describing a situation as '拮据' can also subtly highlight the need for careful planning and resourcefulness.
Examples
4 of 4自从公司破产后，他的生活一直很拮据。
Ever since the company went bankrupt, his life has been very hard up.
创业初期，团队常常面临资金拮据的困境。
In the early stages of entrepreneurship, the team often faced financial straits.
我这个月手头有点拮据，下周再请你吃饭吧。
I'm a bit short on cash this month, I'll treat you to a meal next week.
研究项目因经费拮据而被迫暂停。
The research project had to be suspended due to funding shortages.
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