Combining them, `投资 (tóuzī)` literally means “to throw/cast resources,” a vivid and accurate picture of the act of investing.
In China, the concept and practice of `投资` have undergone a dramatic transformation over the last 40 years. Following the “Reform and Opening Up” (改革开放 gǎigé kāifàng) policies of the late 1970s, China shifted from a state-controlled economy with minimal personal wealth to a vibrant market where individual investment is now a central part of life and a national obsession. A key cultural point is the immense importance placed on real estate investment (房地产投资 fángdìchǎn tóuzī). For decades, buying property was seen not just as acquiring a home, but as the safest and most reliable form of investment and a primary way to build family wealth. This has shaped the economy and the life goals of generations. Compared to Western cultures like the United States, where stock market participation is widespread, the Chinese approach to personal investment has historically been more conservative and focused on tangible assets like property and gold. While this is changing rapidly with the younger generation embracing stocks and digital assets, the cultural mindset of `投资` is often tied to securing the family's long-term future, reflecting a more collectivist value system than the often individualistic pursuit of wealth in the West.
`投资` is a common and versatile word used in a variety of contexts, from formal financial news to everyday conversations about personal goals.