Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== bōkuǎn: 拨款 - To Allocate Funds, Appropriation ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** bōkuǎn, 拨款, allocate funds in Chinese, Chinese word for appropriation, government funding in Chinese, bōkuǎn meaning, how to use bōkuǎn, Chinese financial vocabulary, HSK 6 word * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **拨款 (bōkuǎn)**, which means "to allocate funds" or "an appropriation." This formal term is crucial for understanding conversations about government budgets, corporate finance, and institutional funding in China. This guide provides a deep dive into its meaning, cultural context, practical examples for modern usage, and key differences from related financial terms. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** bō kuǎn * **Part of Speech:** Verb / Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 6 * **Concise Definition:** To formally allocate a sum of money for a specific purpose; an appropriation of funds. * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine a large organization, like a government, university, or corporation, officially setting aside a specific chunk of money for a project. **拨款 (bōkuǎn)** is that formal action or the resulting fund itself. It's not just "giving money"; the word carries a strong sense of official procedure, top-down authority, and a designated purpose. It’s the money being moved from a general pot into a specific, earmarked bucket. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **拨 (bō):** The left-side radical, 扌(shǒu), is the "hand" radical, indicating an action done by hand. The right side, 发 (fā), means "to send out" and provides the sound. Together, 拨 means to move something aside, to set apart, or to dial. Think of "dialing a phone" (打电话 is a modern term, but 拨电话 is the origin). In 拨款, it means to "set aside" or "earmark." * **款 (kuǎn):** This character relates to money or funds. You see it in words like 付款 (fùkuǎn - to make a payment) and 罚款 (fákuǎn - a fine/penalty). It can also mean a clause or item in a formal document. * When combined, **拨款 (bōkuǎn)** literally means "to set aside (拨) a sum of money (款)." The meaning is very direct and logical. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== **拨款 (bōkuǎn)** is a window into the administrative and economic structure of modern China. In a system with significant state involvement in the economy, government appropriations are a fundamental part of society, funding everything from massive infrastructure projects like high-speed rail to university research grants and disaster relief. * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** The closest English equivalent is "appropriation" (used by governments) or "allocation" (used by companies). However, there's a subtle difference in nuance. In Western contexts, particularly with terms like "grant," there's often an implication of a competitive application process where an independent body applies for funding. While this also happens in China, **拨款** strongly emphasizes the top-down, authoritative nature of the decision. It is a directive from a higher power (the government, a corporate headquarters) that has decided to release funds. It reflects a more centralized and hierarchical decision-making process that is common in Chinese governance and large state-owned enterprises. It’s less about "winning" a grant and more about "receiving" a designated fund. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **拨款 (bōkuǎn)** is a formal term used in written documents, news reports, and official meetings. You will rarely hear it in casual, everyday conversation among friends. * **Government and Administration:** This is the most common context. News reports will frequently mention the government **拨款** for poverty alleviation, infrastructure, environmental protection, or disaster relief. * **Corporate Finance:** Large companies use **拨款** to describe the internal allocation of funds from headquarters to a subsidiary, or from the main office to a specific department for a project (e.g., the R&D department receives an allocation for a new product). * **Education and Research:** Universities and research institutes receive **拨款** from the government or other bodies to fund their operations, build new facilities, or conduct specific research projects. The connotation of the word is neutral and procedural. The purpose of the allocation can be viewed as positive or negative, but the word itself simply describes the official transfer of funds. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 政府决定**拨款**一亿元用于灾后重建。 * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ juédìng **bōkuǎn** yī yì yuán yòngyú zāihòu chóngjiàn. * English: The government decided to allocate 100 million yuan for post-disaster reconstruction. * Analysis: A classic example of government appropriation. Note the structure: 拨款 (verb) + [amount] + 用于 (yòngyú - to be used for) + [purpose]. * **Example 2:** * 这笔**拨款**必须专款专用，不能挪作他用。 * Pinyin: Zhè bǐ **bōkuǎn** bìxū zhuānkuǎn zhuānyòng, bùnéng nuózuò tāyòng. * English: This appropriation must be used for its specified purpose and cannot be diverted for other uses. * Analysis: Here, **拨款** is used as a noun ("appropriation"). The phrase 专款专用 (zhuānkuǎn zhuānyòng) is very common with 拨款, emphasizing that the funds are earmarked. * **Example 3:** * 公司批准了给市场部的五十万营销**拨款**。 * Pinyin: Gōngsī pīzhǔn le gěi shìchǎng bù de wǔshí wàn yíngxiāo **bōkuǎn**. * English: The company approved a marketing allocation of 500,000 for the marketing department. * Analysis: This shows corporate usage. Here, **拨款** acts as a noun, modifying "marketing allocation". * **Example 4:** * 由于**拨款**不到位，许多科研项目都停滞了。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú **bōkuǎn** bù dàowèi, xǔduō kēyán xiàngmù dōu tíngzhì le. * English: Because the allocated funds did not arrive, many scientific research projects have stalled. * Analysis: This example shows the negative consequence of funding issues. 不到位 (bù dàowèi - not in place, not arrived) is often used with 拨款. * **Example 5:** * 联合国向该国**拨款**用于改善医疗条件。 * Pinyin: Liánhéguó xiàng gāi guó **bōkuǎn** yòngyú gǎishàn yīliáo tiáojiàn. * English: The United Nations allocated funds to that country to improve medical conditions. * Analysis: Demonstrates the term's use in an international context. The structure is [Allocator] + 向 (xiàng - towards) + [Recipient] + 拨款. * **Example 6:** * 我们会监督这笔**拨款**的每一分钱的去向。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen huì jiāndū zhè bǐ **bōkuǎn** de měi yī fēn qián de qùxiàng. * English: We will monitor where every penny of this appropriation goes. * Analysis: Using **拨款** as a noun. This highlights the theme of accountability and oversight that often accompanies large sums of public or corporate money. * **Example 7:** * 财政部负责审核和**拨款**流程。 * Pinyin: Cáizhèngbù fùzé shěnhé hé **bōkuǎn** liúchéng. * English: The Ministry of Finance is responsible for the review and allocation process. * Analysis: **拨款** can be paired with other verbs like 审核 (shěnhé - to review/audit) to describe a bureaucratic process. * **Example 8:** * 学校每年都会得到一笔固定的教育**拨款**。 * Pinyin: Xuéxiào měinián dōu huì dédào yī bǐ gùdìng de jiàoyù **bōkuǎn**. * English: Every year, the school receives a fixed educational allocation. * Analysis: Shows the term used in an educational context. Here, 教育 (jiàoyù - education) specifies the type of allocation. * **Example 9:** * 他们正在申请一笔用于环境保护的专项**拨款**。 * Pinyin: Tāmen zhèngzài shēnqǐng yī bǐ yòngyú huánjìng bǎohù de zhuānxiàng **bōkuǎn**. * English: They are applying for a special-purpose grant for environmental protection. * Analysis: 专项拨款 (zhuānxiàng bōkuǎn) means a "special-purpose allocation" or "earmarked fund." This is a very common and specific collocation. * **Example 10:** * 中央政府已紧急**拨款**五千万元支援灾区。 * Pinyin: Zhōngyāng zhèngfǔ yǐ jǐnjí **bōkuǎn** wǔqiān wàn yuán zhīyuán zāiqū. * English: The central government has already urgently allocated 50 million yuan to support the disaster area. * Analysis: The adverb 紧急 (jǐnjí - urgently) emphasizes the speed and necessity of the allocation, common in emergency situations. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **拨款 (bōkuǎn) vs. 预算 (yùsuàn) vs. 资金 (zījīn):** * **预算 (yùsuàn) - Budget:** This is the *plan* for how money will be spent. A company makes a budget for the year. * **拨款 (bōkuǎn) - Allocation/Appropriation:** This is the *action* of officially moving money according to the budget or for a specific need. It's the execution of the plan. * **资金 (zījīn) - Funds/Capital:** This is the general term for the money itself. You can have 资金 but not yet have a 拨款 for a specific project. * *Analogy:* You have a yearly **预算 (budget)**. Your company's general **资金 (funds)** are healthy. To start your project, you need the finance department to formally **拨款 (allocate)** the money from the general funds to your project account. * **Don't Use It for Personal Money:** A common mistake is using this formal word for informal situations. It sounds unnatural and overly dramatic. * **Incorrect:** 我爸爸**拨款**给我这个月的零花钱。(//Wǒ bàba bōkuǎn gěi wǒ zhège yuè de línghuāqián.//) * **Correct:** 我爸爸给了我这个月的零花钱。(//Wǒ bàba gěi le wǒ zhège yuè de línghuāqián.//) - //My dad gave me this month's allowance.// ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[资金]] (zījīn) - Funds, capital. The general resource that is allocated via **拨款**. * [[预算]] (yùsuàn) - Budget. The financial plan that often dictates when and how **拨款** occurs. * [[经费]] (jīngfèi) - Funds, expenditure. Often refers to the operating funds or budget for an organization or activity (e.g., 活动经费 - activity funds). * [[财政]] (cáizhèng) - Public finance; finance (of a state). The field or government department (财政部 - Ministry of Finance) that deals with **拨款**. * [[补贴]] (bǔtiē) - Subsidy, allowance. A form of financial aid given by the government or an organization to an industry or individuals. A subsidy is often the result of a **拨款**. * [[援助]] (yuánzhù) - Aid, assistance. A broader term for help, which can be financial (a form of **拨款**) or material. * [[赞助]] (zànzhù) - To sponsor; sponsorship. Different from **拨款**, as sponsorship usually comes from a commercial entity in exchange for advertising or goodwill. * [[投资]] (tóuzī) - Investment. An expenditure of money with the expectation of achieving a profit or material result. **拨款** is for a designated purpose, which is not necessarily direct financial profit.