When combined, these characters create a very logical and modern term. 人力 (rénlì) means “human power” or “manpower.” 资源 (zīyuán) means “resources.” Therefore, 人力资源 (rénlì zīyuán) literally translates to “human power resources,” the modern concept of Human Resources.
The term “人力资源” is significant less for its deep traditional roots and more for what it represents in modern China: a fundamental shift in management philosophy. For much of the 20th century, the common term for personnel-related matters was 人事 (rénshì), which translates to “personnel affairs.” This term focused on the administrative aspects of managing employees: keeping records, managing payroll, and handling assignments within a state-planned system. The widespread adoption of 人力资源 (rénlì zīyuán) reflects China's economic reforms and the influence of Western-style management. It reframes employees from being passive cogs in a machine (人事) to being a strategic resource (资源) that provides a competitive advantage. This implies a focus on talent acquisition, training and development, performance management, and employee retention—all core functions of a modern HR department. Comparing it to a Western concept is straightforward, as it's a direct parallel to “Human Resources.” However, the cultural nuance lies in its contrast with the older term `人事 (rénshì)`. Seeing which term a company or individual uses can sometimes hint at how traditional or modern their management perspective is.
“人力资源” is a formal and professional term. You will encounter it constantly in business and corporate environments.