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A2 verb #5,000 most common 9 min read

出资

chūzī Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 出资 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 出资 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of '出资' as a formal way to say 'give money for something big.' Imagine you and your friends want to buy a big cake. If one friend gives most of the money, they are '出资.' In simple sentences, we use it to show who is paying for a project or a shop. It is made of two parts: '出' (go out) and '资' (money/resources). So, it literally means 'money goes out' to help start something. You don't use it for small things like buying an apple, but you might use it if you are talking about a school or a company in a simple story. It is a 'Level 2' way to talk about money, making you sound more grown-up and professional than just using '给钱' (give money).

At the A2 level, you should start using '出资' in business or community contexts. You will see it in sentences like 'He contributed funds to start a restaurant.' The grammar is often 'Someone + 出资.' It's important to know that this word is usually for when you are a partner in something. If you and a friend start a business, you '出资' together. You can also use it with amounts, like '出资十万元' (contribute 100,000 yuan). At this level, you are learning to distinguish between personal spending (花钱) and providing capital for a purpose (出资). It's a key word for basic business Chinese and for understanding who is 'the boss' or the 'funder' in a situation.

By B1, you should be comfortable using '出资' in more complex sentence structures, especially the '由...出资' (funded by...) pattern. This is very common in news and formal reports. You should also recognize related nouns like '出资人' (the person who provides the funds) and '出资额' (the amount of money provided). At this stage, you begin to see '出资' in social contexts, like when a company funds a local park or a scholarship. You should be able to explain the difference between '出资' and '投资' (investment)—where '出资' is the specific act of providing the cash, while '投资' is the general idea of putting money into something to make more money. You might use it in a presentation about a business plan.

At the B2 level, '出资' appears in legal and formal business discussions. You will encounter terms like '认缴出资' (subscribed capital) and '实缴出资' (paid-in capital). This level requires understanding the responsibilities that come with '出资.' For example, in a Limited Liability Company, your liability is often limited to your '出资额.' You should be able to discuss 'joint ventures' (合资企业) where multiple parties '共同出资.' You can use the word to discuss economic policies, such as how the government '出资' to stimulate the economy. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the formal register, and you should be able to use it in written contracts or formal emails regarding partnership agreements.

At the C1 level, you use '出资' to discuss sophisticated financial structures and legal nuances. You might talk about '出资方式' (methods of contribution), which can include not just cash, but also intellectual property (知识产权), land-use rights (土地使用权), or physical equipment. You should be able to analyze the implications of '出资不实' (incomplete or false capital contribution) in corporate law. In a professional environment, you would use this word during high-level negotiations, perhaps discussing 'equity distribution' based on '出资比例' (contribution ratios). You can also use it metaphorically or in high-level academic writing about state-led development or the history of capital formation in different industries.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '出资' and all its technical applications. You can navigate complex legal disputes regarding '抽逃出资' (illegal withdrawal of capital) or the '出资责任' (liability of contribution) of shareholders in bankruptcy cases. You understand the historical evolution of the term within the context of Chinese economic reform and the shift from state-funded enterprises to diversified ownership. You can use the word in philosophical or highly abstract economic debates, such as the social responsibility of '出资者' in the global economy. Your command of the word allows you to use it with absolute precision in any professional, legal, or academic context, recognizing every subtle connotation it carries in various dialects of business Mandarin.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

出资 in 30 Seconds

出资 is a formal verb meaning to contribute funds or capital, essential for business and legal contexts in Chinese.
It is commonly used to describe who is financing a project, often appearing in the '由...出资' (funded by) structure.
Unlike general 'spending,' it implies a purposeful contribution toward a collective goal or business entity, often resulting in ownership.
It covers both cash and non-monetary assets like technology or property in professional and corporate registration scenarios.

The term 出资 (chūzī) is a fundamental concept in the world of Chinese business, finance, and collaborative projects. At its core, it translates to "to contribute funds," "to provide capital," or "to invest." However, unlike the more general word for investing, 投资 (tóuzī), 出资 specifically highlights the act of putting forth the actual money or assets required for a specific venture or the formation of a legal entity. When you use this word, you are describing the source of the money and the commitment of the person or organization providing it. It is a formal verb that carries significant legal and financial weight in Mainland China, Taiwan, and other Mandarin-speaking business environments.

Etymological Breakdown: The character 出 (chū) means to go out, to emerge, or to produce. The character 资 (zī) refers to capital, resources, or wealth. Together, they literally mean "to put out capital" or "to let the money flow out" for a particular purpose.
Business Context: In a corporate setting, 出资 is used to describe how much each shareholder contributes to a company's registered capital. It isn't just about cash; it can include technology, land-use rights, or equipment. If you are starting a restaurant with a friend, you might say "我出资五十万" (I will contribute five hundred thousand) to define your financial stake.

这家公司是由几位年轻的企业家共同出资创立的。(This company was jointly funded and founded by several young entrepreneurs.)

You will encounter this word most frequently in legal documents, news reports about startups, and government announcements regarding infrastructure projects. For instance, a bridge might be "由政府出资建设" (built with funds provided by the government). It implies a sense of responsibility and ownership. In everyday conversation, while slightly formal, it is perfectly appropriate when discussing shared costs for a large purchase or a joint business idea. It distinguishes the financial contributor (出资者) from the person providing labor or expertise.

In a broader social context, 出资 can also refer to charitable contributions, though "捐款" (juānkuǎn) is more specific to donations. When a wealthy individual provides the money for a new school library, the newspaper might report that they "出资兴建" (provided funds to build) the facility. This emphasizes the financial backing that made the physical construction possible. Understanding this word helps you navigate formal Chinese agreements and understand the power dynamics in any partnership—after all, the one who provides the capital often has a significant say in the direction of the project.

如果我们要合伙，你打算出资多少？(If we are going to partner up, how much do you plan to contribute?)

Using 出资 (chūzī) correctly requires understanding its role as a verb that often interacts with specific prepositions and nouns. In Chinese grammar, it frequently follows the "由 (yóu) + [Entity] + 出资" pattern, which means "funded by [Entity]." This is the most common way to describe the financial backing of a project or organization.

Pattern 1: The Passive Funding Structure: Sentence: 这个项目由市政府出资。 (This project is funded by the municipal government.) Here, '由' introduces the source of the funds, and '出资' acts as the verb indicating the provision of those funds.
Pattern 2: Direct Action with Amount: Sentence: 他向公司出资了一百万元。 (He contributed one million yuan to the company.) In this case, the amount directly follows the verb, or is linked via the particle '了' to show completion.

双方约定按比例出资。(Both parties agreed to contribute funds according to a specific ratio.)

Another important usage involves the term as a modifier for nouns, such as 出资人 (chūzīrén) which means 'contributor' or 'investor', and 出资额 (chūzī'é) which means 'contribution amount'. When discussing the legal structure of a company, you might hear about 出资证明书 (chūzī zhèngmíngshū), which is a capital contribution certificate. These compound forms are essential for anyone dealing with Chinese contracts.

When describing the nature of the contribution, you can add adverbs. For example, 共同出资 (jointly contribute), 全额出资 (fully fund), or 分期出资 (contribute in installments). This allows for precise communication in business negotiations. For example, "我们建议分期出资以降低风险" (We suggest contributing in installments to reduce risk). This level of detail is what makes the word so useful in professional settings compared to more generic verbs for giving money.

他以技术入股，而我负责出资。(He joined with technology as equity, while I am responsible for providing the capital.)

You will encounter 出资 (chūzī) in several distinct real-world scenarios in Chinese-speaking societies. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word's nuances and importance beyond a simple dictionary definition.

News and Media: On financial news channels like CCTV-2 or in publications like Caixin, 出资 is used constantly. You'll hear phrases like "某大企业出资收购" (a certain large enterprise funded the acquisition) or "政府出资扶持中小企业" (the government provided funds to support small and medium-sized enterprises). It lends an air of officiality and precision to the reporting.
Legal and Administrative Settings: If you ever visit a local Bureau for Industry and Commerce (工商局) in China to register a company, 出资 is the standard term. You will have to fill out forms stating your "认缴出资额" (subscribed contribution amount) and "实缴出资额" (paid-in contribution amount). Lawyers will use this word when discussing shareholder disputes or liability.

新闻报道：该研究中心由多家跨国公司共同出资建立。(News Report: This research center was established through joint funding from several multinational companies.)

In the startup world—often referred to as the "venture capital circle" (创投圈)—entrepreneurs talk about 出资 when discussing their "Angel Round" (天使轮) or "Series A" (A轮). They might say, "我们需要寻找愿意出资的合伙人" (We need to find partners willing to contribute capital). It’s the language of the 'pitch'.

Finally, in academic and policy discussions, 出资 appears when analyzing economic models or public-private partnerships (PPP). For example, a professor might lecture on "国家出资的科研项目" (State-funded scientific research projects). Whenever the origin of money is the focus of the discussion, this word will likely be the star of the sentence. It bridges the gap between the simple act of giving money and the formal act of financing an objective.

在董事会上，大家讨论了第二期出资的时间表。(At the board meeting, everyone discussed the timetable for the second phase of capital contribution.)

While 出资 (chūzī) is a relatively straightforward word, English speakers often make specific errors when translating it or using it in context. The most frequent mistake is confusing it with other "money-related" verbs like 投资 (tóuzī), 花钱 (huāqián), or 捐款 (juānkuǎn).

Mistake 1: Overusing it for Personal Spending: You shouldn't use 出资 for buying a coffee or a movie ticket. That is 花钱 (spending money). 出资 implies an investment or a contribution toward a larger, usually formal, goal. Saying "我出资买了一本书" (I contributed funds to buy a book) sounds strangely formal and slightly incorrect unless the book is a collective asset for a library.
Mistake 2: Confusing it with 'Investment' (投资): While often interchangeable, 投资 is the broader concept of investing for profit (including stocks, real estate, etc.). 出资 is the specific act of providing the capital, often in a partnership or company-founding context. You '出资' into a company as part of your '投资' strategy.

Incorrect: 他出资了很多慈善机构。(He contributed many charities.)
Correct: 他向很多慈善机构出资。(He contributed funds to many charities.) OR 他向慈善机构捐款。

A subtle mistake involves the object of the verb. In English, we say "fund a project," where "project" is the direct object. In Chinese, while you can say "出资建设项目" (contribute funds to build a project), it is more common to use the "由...出资" or "向...出资" structures mentioned earlier. Using 出资 as a transitive verb directly followed by the entity being funded can sometimes sound slightly awkward without a secondary verb like '建设' (build) or '创立' (found).

Lastly, remember that 出资 is almost exclusively related to money or capital assets. You cannot "出资" your time or your effort. For that, you would use "出力" (chūlì - to put in effort). In a partnership, you might have one person "出资" and another "出力". Confusing these two will lead to misunderstandings in business agreements.

错误用法：我出资了我的时间来帮助你。(I 'contributed funds' my time to help you.)
正确用法：我出力帮助你，你负责出资。(I put in the effort to help, you are responsible for the funding.)

To truly master 出资 (chūzī), you must understand how it compares to its synonyms and near-synonyms. Chinese has a rich vocabulary for financial transactions, and choosing the right word depends on the context of the money flow.

投资 (tóuzī) - To Invest: The most common alternative. 投资 is broader and focuses on the expectation of a return. You can invest in stocks, your education, or a business. 出资 is the specific act of providing the initial or agreed-upon capital for a project.
注资 (zhùzī) - To Inject Capital: This is a very formal term, often used when an existing company needs more money. It implies 'pouring' capital into something that already exists, often to save it or help it expand quickly.
拨款 (bōkuǎn) - To Allocate Funds: Used primarily by governments or large bureaucratic organizations. It refers to the official setting aside and distribution of money for a specific department or project. It doesn't imply ownership like 出资 does.

比较：
1. 政府出资办学 (Gov provides capital to run a school - implies ownership/founding).
2. 政府拨款给学校 (Gov allocates funds to the school - implies a grant or budget).

Other words include 赞助 (zànzhù), which means to sponsor (often for marketing or goodwill, not equity), and 捐助 (juānzhù), which means to donate for charitable reasons. While 出资 can be used for charities, 捐助 is much more common in that sphere. Finally, 融资 (róngzī) is 'financing' or 'fundraising' from the perspective of the person receiving the money, whereas 出资 is from the perspective of the person giving it.

In a casual setting, you might just say 掏钱 (tāoqián), which literally means "to pull money out of one's pocket." For example, "这次旅行的所有费用都由他掏钱" (He's shelling out for all the expenses of this trip). This is much less formal than 出资 and is used among friends or family. Choosing between 出资 and 掏钱 is a matter of register—formal vs. informal.

在这次合作中，甲公司出资，乙公司提供专利。(In this cooperation, Company A provides the funding, and Company B provides the patent.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, '资' wasn't just money; it included grain, cloth, and other commodities used as capital for trade or war. Today, '出资' has evolved to include intellectual property and technology, showing how the definition of 'capital' has modernized.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tʃuː dzeɪ/

US /tʃu dzeɪ/

The stress is balanced between both syllables, though the second syllable 'zi' (first tone) is often held slightly longer in formal speech.

Rhymes With

不知 (bùzhī) 通知 (tōngzhī) 工资 (gōngzī) 投资 (tóuzī) 物质 (wùzhì - partial) 此时 (cǐshí - partial) 组织 (zǔzhī) 支持 (zhīchí - partial)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zi' like 'zee' (English letter Z). In Pinyin, 'zi' is a special vowel sound.
Confusing 'chu' with 'qu'. 'Chu' uses the 'u' sound as in 'blue', while 'qu' uses the rounded 'ü' sound.
Using the wrong tone for 'zi'. It is high and level (1st tone).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize characters, but context can get technical in legal texts.

Writing 4/5

The character '资' has many strokes; '出' is simple. Requires practice.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward if tones are mastered.

Listening 3/5

Sounds similar to other 'zi' words, need to listen for context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

钱 (Money) 给 (Give) 公司 (Company) 出 (Exit/Out) 资 (Resources)

Learn Next

投资 (Investment) 股份 (Shares) 董事会 (Board of Directors) 融资 (Financing) 注册资本 (Registered Capital)

Advanced

股权激励 (Equity incentives) 风险投资 (Venture capital) 资产评估 (Asset appraisal) 并购 (M&A) 主权基金 (Sovereign fund)

Grammar to Know

The '由' (yóu) Passive Marker

项目由他出资。(The project is funded by him.)

Verb-Object Separability (Partial)

他出过两次资。(He has contributed funds twice.)

Adverbial Modification

他们秘密地出资。(They funded it secretly.)

Using '以' for Means

以房产出资。(To contribute using real estate.)

Measure Words for Money with 出资

出资三笔钱。(To make three funding contributions.)

Examples by Level

我出资买这个礼物。

I contribute funds to buy this gift.

Subject + 出资 + Action.

爸爸出资开了一家小店。

Dad provided the funds to open a small shop.

Focus on the source of the startup money.

谁出资办这个活动？

Who is funding this activity?

Interrogative 'who' as the subject.

我们一起出资买电脑。

We contribute funds together to buy a computer.

Using '一起' (together) to show joint contribution.

公司出资请大家吃饭。

The company provides the funds to treat everyone to a meal.

The company is the entity providing the funds.

他出资，我工作。

He provides the money, and I do the work.

Simple contrast between capital and labor.

这个书架是我出资买的。

This bookshelf was bought with funds I provided.

Using '是...的' structure for emphasis.

老师出资买了一些书。

The teacher provided the funds to buy some books.

The teacher is the funder.

他向这个项目出资了五万元。

He contributed 50,000 yuan to this project.

向 (towards) + Entity + 出资 + Amount.

这个公园是由当地政府出资建的。

This park was built with funds from the local government.

Passive '由...出资' structure.

他们决定共同出资创办公司。

They decided to jointly contribute funds to start a company.

共同 (jointly) as an adverb.

出资人需要签署这份文件。

The contributor needs to sign this document.

出资人 (contributor) used as a noun.

你的出资额是多少？

What is your contribution amount?

出资额 (contribution amount) as a noun.

这个活动由几家大公司出资赞助。

This event is funded and sponsored by several large companies.

Combining funding and sponsorship.

他因为没有钱出资而退出了项目。

He withdrew from the project because he had no money to contribute.

Using '因为...而' to show reason and result.

我们需要找更多人来出资。

We need to find more people to contribute funds.

Verb phrase as the object of 'need'.

根据协议，双方应按比例出资。

According to the agreement, both parties should contribute funds proportionally.

按比例 (proportionally) modifying the verb.

该项科研经费全部由国家出资。

The research funding for this project is entirely provided by the state.

全部 (entirely) + 由...出资.

他以房产作为出资，加入了合伙企业。

He joined the partnership by contributing real estate as capital.

以...作为出资 (using ... as contribution).

出资证明书是证明股东身份的重要文件。

The capital contribution certificate is an important document to prove shareholder status.

出资证明书 as a compound noun.

为了扩大规模，我们需要再次出资。

In order to expand the scale, we need to contribute funds again.

再次 (again) used for follow-up funding.

他虽然是出资人，但不参与日常管理。

Although he is the funder, he does not participate in daily management.

Contrast using 虽然...但.

政府出资兴建了这所希望小学。

The government provided funds to build this Hope Primary School.

出资兴建 (contribute funds to build) as a fixed phrase.

由于出资不足，项目被迫停工。

Due to insufficient funding, the project was forced to stop.

出资不足 (insufficient contribution) as a subject/clause.

股东应当按期足额缴纳公司章程中规定的出资额。

Shareholders shall pay the amount of capital contribution stipulated in the articles of association on time and in full.

Legal terminology: 按期 (on time), 足额 (in full), 缴纳 (to pay/hand in).

该公司通过向社会公开招募，吸引了大量民间出资。

The company attracted a large amount of private capital through public recruitment.

民间出资 (private/folk capital contribution).

他以其拥有的专利技术评估作价后进行出资。

He made a capital contribution after his patented technology was appraised and valued.

评估作价 (appraisal and valuation) before contribution.

双方在出资比例上存在分歧，导致合作谈崩。

The two parties had differences over the contribution ratio, which led to the breakdown of the cooperation.

在...上 (regarding/in terms of) + 出资比例.

实缴出资额与认缴出资额不符可能会带来法律风险。

A discrepancy between paid-in capital and subscribed capital may bring legal risks.

Comparing '实缴' (paid-in) and '认缴' (subscribed).

该基金主要由几家保险公司出资设立。

The fund was mainly established with contributions from several insurance companies.

由...出资设立 (established with funds from...).

出资协议中必须明确违约责任。

The breach of contract liability must be clearly defined in the contribution agreement.

出资协议 (contribution agreement) as a legal term.

他通过出资获得了公司30%的股份。

He obtained a 30% stake in the company by contributing capital.

通过 (through/by) + action + Result.

为了规避风险，投资者往往选择分期出资的方式。

In order to avoid risks, investors often choose the method of contributing capital in installments.

分期出资 (contribution in installments) as a strategy.

法律规定，股东不得抽逃出资以损害债权人利益。

The law stipulates that shareholders shall not illegally withdraw capital to the detriment of creditors' interests.

抽逃出资 (illegal withdrawal of capital) - specialized legal term.

非货币财产出资应当进行评估核实，不得高估或低估。

Non-monetary property contributions shall be appraised and verified, and shall not be overvalued or undervalued.

非货币财产 (non-monetary property) as a type of contribution.

该项目的成功离不开社会各界的广泛出资与支持。

The success of the project is inseparable from the extensive funding and support from all sectors of society.

Double negative '离不开...不' for emphasis.

出资人对公司的债务承担有限责任，以其出资额为限。

The contributor bears limited liability for the company's debts, limited to the amount of their capital contribution.

以...为限 (limited to...).

在并购案中，出资方式的灵活性往往是谈成的关键。

In M&A cases, the flexibility of the funding method is often the key to the deal.

Abstract noun phrase as the subject.

政府通过出资引导基金，带动了社会资本的投入。

The government, through capital guidance funds, has driven the investment of social capital.

出资引导基金 (capital guidance fund) - economic term.

若出资人未能按时履行出资义务，将面临法律诉讼。

If the contributor fails to perform the contribution obligation on time, they will face legal action.

履行出资义务 (perform contribution obligation).

在复杂的跨境并购中，出资结构的合法合规性审查至关重要。

In complex cross-border acquisitions, the review of the legality and compliance of the funding structure is crucial.

Legal/Financial jargon: 跨境并购 (cross-border M&A), 合法合规性 (legality and compliance).

该主权财富基金的出资规模之大，足以影响全球市场波动。

The scale of funding of this sovereign wealth fund is so large that it is sufficient to affect global market fluctuations.

主权财富基金 (Sovereign Wealth Fund); 之大 (so large that...).

探讨股东出资义务的加速到期制度，是当前公司法研究的热点。

Exploring the system of accelerated maturity of shareholders' contribution obligations is a hot topic in current corporate law research.

Academic structure: 探讨...是...的热点.

虚假出资不仅触犯民法，情节严重的还可能构成刑事犯罪。

False capital contribution not only violates civil law, but may also constitute a criminal offense in serious cases.

虚假出资 (false capital contribution); 构成刑事犯罪 (constitute a criminal offense).

通过债转股的方式进行出资，是企业债务重组的常见手段。

Contributing capital through debt-to-equity swaps is a common means of corporate debt restructuring.

债转股 (debt-to-equity swap).

出资人权益的保护与公司法人财产权的独立性之间存在微妙的平衡。

There is a delicate balance between the protection of contributors' rights and the independence of the corporate legal person's property rights.

Abstract philosophical/legal concept.

在资本公积转增资本的过程中，原出资人的持股比例通常保持不变。

In the process of converting capital reserves into capital, the shareholding ratio of the original contributors usually remains unchanged.

Technical financial process description.

该项目的出资协议条款极其严苛，包含了多项对赌协议。

The terms of the funding agreement for this project are extremely harsh, including several valuation adjustment mechanisms (VAMs).

对赌协议 (Valuation Adjustment Mechanism / Betting agreement).

Common Collocations

共同出资

全额出资

出资比例

出资额

实缴出资

出资证明

政府出资

按期出资

技术出资

虚假出资

Common Phrases

出资人

— The person or entity that provides the funds. It is a formal term for an investor or contributor.

作为出资人，他有权查阅财务报表。

出资形式

— The way in which capital is provided. This could be cash, property, or IP.

法律允许多种出资形式。

认缴出资

— The amount of capital a shareholder promises to contribute. It is a legal commitment.

认缴出资并不等于已经把钱交了。

出资义务

— The legal obligation of a party to provide the agreed-upon funds.

股东应当履行出资义务。

溢价出资

— Contributing capital at a premium, usually above the par value of shares.

新股东决定溢价出资进入公司。

分期出资

— Providing the funds in several installments over time.

合同约定我们可以分期出资。

出资不实

— When the actual value of the contribution is lower than what was declared.

出资不实会导致股东承担连带责任。

单一出资

— A project funded by only one source or entity.

这是一个单一出资的科研项目。

民间出资

— Funding provided by private individuals or non-governmental organizations.

民间出资在中小企业中占很大比例。

外方出资

— The capital contribution made by a foreign party in a joint venture.

外方出资占比达到了49%。

Often Confused With

出资 vs 投资 (tóuzī)

Investment. A broader term focused on returns. You invest in stocks, but you contribute capital (出资) to a specific partnership.

出资 vs 筹资 (chóuzī)

Fundraising. The act of gathering money from others, whereas '出资' is the act of providing the money yourself.

出资 vs 拨款 (bōkuǎn)

Allocation. Usually used for government budgets where money is given for a task without gaining ownership.

Idioms & Expressions

"出钱出力"

— To contribute both money and effort. It describes someone who is fully committed to a cause.

为了这次义演，他出钱出力，非常辛苦。

Informal/Neutral

"慷慨解囊"

— To loosen the purse strings generously. Used when someone gives a lot of money to help.

面对灾情，社会各界纷纷慷慨解囊。

Formal/Literary

"资不抵债"

— Insolvent; assets cannot cover debts. The opposite state of a healthy capital contribution.

这家公司由于经营不善，已经资不抵债了。

Formal/Legal

"厚积薄发"

— To accumulate wealth or knowledge and release it slowly. Often used in business strategies.

经过多年的出资研发，公司终于厚积薄发。

Literary

"一掷千金"

— To spend money like water; to gamble or invest huge sums recklessly.

他在这个项目上的一掷千金引起了董事会的关注。

Literary/Critical

"集腋成裘"

— Many small contributions make a big difference. Often used in fundraising.

通过大家的共同出资，我们集腋成裘，建成了图书馆。

Literary

"聚沙成塔"

— Similar to '集腋成裘', small amounts of capital adding up to a large sum.

众筹就是一种聚沙成塔的出资方式。

Neutral

"锦上添花"

— To add flowers to brocade; to provide extra funding to something already successful.

政府的这笔出资对我们来说是锦上添花。

Neutral

"雪中送炭"

— To send charcoal in the snow; to provide funding during a crisis.

你的这笔出资真是雪中送炭，救了整个公司。

Neutral

"量入为出"

— To spend according to one's income; a conservative approach to funding.

我们在出资计划上应该量入为出，不可盲目扩张。

Formal/Proverb

Easily Confused

出资 vs 注资

Both involve putting money into a business.

出资 is usually for the initial setup or basic contribution; 注资 is often a secondary injection of capital to boost or save a company.

他出资创办了公司，后来政府又向公司注资。

出资 vs 融资

Both relate to getting capital for a business.

出资 is from the provider's side (I give money); 融资 is from the receiver's side (I raise money).

我出资十万，帮他完成了融资。

出资 vs 捐资

Both involve providing money for a cause.

出资 implies an interest or ownership; 捐资 is purely for charity/donation without expecting anything back.

他出资办厂，同时也捐资助学。

出资 vs 垫资

Both involve paying for something.

垫资 is a temporary advance that will be paid back; 出资 is a permanent contribution to capital.

工程队先垫资，等政府出资后再结算。

出资 vs 资助

Both involve financial support.

资助 is typically aid given to an individual (like a student); 出资 is capital given to an organization or project.

他出资建立基金会来资助学生。

Sentence Patterns

A 出资 B

他出资五万。

由 A 出资

项目由公司出资。

共同出资 + 动词

我们共同出资开店。

以...作为出资

他以技术作为出资。

按比例出资

双方按比例出资。

出资额为...

其出资额为十万元。

履行出资义务

股东应当履行出资义务。

虚假出资/抽逃出资

严厉打击虚假出资行为。

Word Family

Nouns

出资人 (Contributor/Investor)

出资额 (Contribution amount)

出资证明 (Proof of contribution)

出资比例 (Contribution ratio)

Verbs

投资 (To invest)

筹资 (To raise funds)

注资 (To inject capital)

撤资 (To withdraw capital)

Adjectives

出资的 (Funding/Contributory)

合资的 (Jointly funded)

资本 (Capital)

股份 (Shares/Equity)

合伙 (Partnership)

财务 (Finance)

资金 (Funds)

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in business, legal, and news contexts. Less frequent in casual family conversation unless discussing large purchases.

Common Mistakes

我出资买了一杯咖啡。 → 我花钱买了一杯咖啡。
'出资' is too formal for small daily purchases like coffee.
他出资了他的时间。 → 他出力帮助了我们。
'出资' only refers to money or capital assets, not time or effort.
项目被政府出资。 → 项目由政府出资。
In Chinese, the '由' preposition is required for this passive structure.
我是这个公司的投资人。 → 我是这个公司的出资人。
While '投资人' is okay, '出资人' is more precise when referring to the person who provided the initial capital.
他出资了慈善机构。 → 他向慈善机构出资。
You need the preposition '向' (to/towards) when the object is the recipient of the funds.

Tips

Use the '由' structure

To sound like a native, use '由 [Funder] 出资' to describe who is paying for a project. It is more natural than 'Funder 出资项目'.

Distinguish from 投资

Remember that 投资 is the 'why' (to make money) and 出资 is the 'how' (providing the cash).

Know your 'E'

In business, learn '出资额' (amount) and '出资比例' (ratio) as they are the most important numbers in a contract.

Master the first tone

Keep the 'zi' in 'chūzī' high and level. Dropping the tone might make it sound like '出子' (producing a son), which is completely different!

Stroke order for 资

Practice the '贝' part at the bottom of '资'. It must be balanced to make the character look professional.

Business context

When registering a company in China, you will always be asked for your '出资方式' (method of contribution).

Partnership talk

If someone asks '你怎么出资?', they are asking how much money or what assets you are bringing to the table.

News keywords

When you hear '出资' on the news, listen for the name of the company or government body that follows '由'.

The 'Exit' money

Associate '出' (exit) with money leaving your bank account to start a new '资' (resource).

Charity vs Business

While '出资' can be used for charity, using '捐赠' (donation) shows more selflessness, whereas '出资' sounds more like a partnership.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'CHU' as 'CHoosing to put out' and 'ZI' as 'Zillions of coins'. You are CHoosing to put out Zillions of coins to fund a project.

Visual Association

Imagine a large factory building. At the bottom, there is a giant coin slot where a person (the 出资人) is sliding in a massive golden shell (资) to make the machines start working.

Word Web

Money Business Partnership Company Founding Legal Capital Contribution

Challenge

Try to use '出资' in a sentence describing a local project in your city, like a new library or a bridge, focusing on who paid for it.

Word Origin

The term '出资' consists of two classical Chinese characters. '出' (chū) dates back to oracle bone script, depicting a foot coming out of a cave or container, meaning 'to exit' or 'to produce.' '资' (zī) contains the '贝' (bèi) radical, which represents a cowrie shell—the earliest form of currency in China. The top part '次' (cì) provides the sound. Thus, '资' originally meant wealth or resources.

Original meaning: To bring forth wealth or resources to support a specific endeavor.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese)

Cultural Context

When discussing '出资' in a business negotiation, be aware that it implies ownership rights. Don't use it lightly if you aren't prepared to discuss equity.

In English, we might use 'fund', 'bankroll', or 'finance'. '出资' is more formal than 'bankroll' and more specific than 'finance'.

Chinese Company Law (中华人民共和国公司法) - specifically mentions '出资' obligations. The founding of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) - often discussed in terms of national '出资'. Documentaries about Jack Ma and the early '出资' from SoftBank into Alibaba.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Starting a Business

找人出资
出资协议
首期出资
出资比例

Government Projects

财政出资
政府出资
国家出资
全额出资

Legal Disputes

出资不实
抽逃出资
出资义务
补足出资

Non-Profit / Charity

出资兴办
社会出资
个人出资
出资赞助

Joint Ventures

中方出资
外方出资
共同出资
按股出资

Conversation Starters

"如果我们要合伙开公司，你打算出资多少？ (If we partner up, how much do you plan to contribute?)"

"你知道这个新体育馆是谁出资建的吗？ (Do you know who funded the construction of this new stadium?)"

"在你们国家，政府会出资支持艺术吗？ (In your country, does the government provide funds to support the arts?)"

"你觉得技术出资和现金出资哪个更重要？ (Do you think contributing technology or cash is more important?)"

"如果我们共同出资买这台车，所有权怎么算？ (If we jointly fund the purchase of this car, how is ownership calculated?)"

Journal Prompts

如果你有一百万美元要出资建立一个慈善机构，你会选择什么领域？为什么？ (If you had $1M to fund a charity, what field would you choose and why?)

描述一次你和别人共同出资购买某样东西的经历，结果如何？ (Describe a time you and someone else pooled funds to buy something. What was the result?)

你认为政府应该出资支持太空探索吗？写下你的观点。 (Do you think the government should fund space exploration? Write your view.)

如果你要找一个出资人，你会如何向他推销你的创业想法？ (If you were looking for a funder, how would you pitch your startup idea?)

讨论一下在中国‘出资人’和‘管理者’角色分离的利弊。 (Discuss the pros and cons of separating the roles of 'funder' and 'manager' in China.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in a legal sense, '出资' can include non-monetary assets such as land-use rights, intellectual property, equipment, and even labor in some specific partnership models, although cash is the most common form.

While primarily used for business, it can also be used for government projects, community initiatives, or any collective effort where funding is required, such as building a community center.

'出资人' is anyone who provides funds. '股东' (shareholder) is a specific legal status in a company. An '出资人' usually becomes a '股东', but the terms focus on different aspects: the act of funding vs. the legal status of ownership.

You use '全额出资' (quán'é chūzī). For example: '该项目由我公司全额出资' (This project is fully funded by our company).

It sounds a bit too formal. For small donations, '捐钱' or '捐款' is better. '出资' suggests a more structured or significant financial commitment.

Yes, it can function as a noun meaning 'capital contribution,' though it is more frequently a verb. Phrases like '他的出资' (his contribution) are common.

This is 'subscribed capital.' It is the amount a person agrees to pay into a company according to the contract, even if they haven't transferred the money yet.

This is 'paid-in capital.' It is the actual amount of money that has already been transferred to the company's account.

Absolutely. It is very common to hear '政府出资' in Chinese news when talking about infrastructure like subways, schools, or hospitals.

This is a legal term for 'false capital contribution.' It happens when someone claims to have put money into a company but actually hasn't, which is a crime in China.