zījīn: 资金 - Fund(s), Capital

• Keywords: 资金, zijin, Chinese for capital, Chinese for funds, business funds in Chinese, investment capital, financial resources, money for business, 资金 meaning, what is zijin, HSK 5 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the crucial Chinese business term 资金 (zījīn), which translates to “capital” or “funds”. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China. Far more formal than the general word for money, `钱 (qián)`, understanding `资金 (zījīn)` is essential for anyone interested in Chinese economics, startups, or corporate finance, as it refers to the financial resources allocated for specific, large-scale purposes like launching a company or funding a project.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zījīn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: Funds; capital; financial resources.
• In a Nutshell: 资金 (zījīn) is the term for “big money” with a purpose. It's not the cash in your wallet, but the substantial financial resources set aside for a specific goal, like starting a business, financing a construction project, or running a company's operations. Think of it as “capital” or “funding” in a formal, business, or economic context.

• 资 (zī): This character relates to resources, assets, or qualifications. Think of it as the raw material or foundation for something. You'll see it in words like `资源 (zīyuán)` meaning “natural resources” and `资格 (zīgé)` meaning “qualifications.”
• 金 (jīn): This character famously means “gold,” and by extension, “money” or “metal.” It's one of the five elements in Chinese philosophy and points directly to monetary value.

When combined, 资 (zī) + 金 (jīn) literally means “resource money” or “asset gold.” This powerfully conveys the idea of money that is not just for spending, but is a core asset or resource intended to be used to generate further value.

In the context of China's rapid economic development over the past few decades, 资金 (zījīn) has become a word of immense importance. It is the lifeblood of the “Chinese dream” for entrepreneurs and the fuel for the nation's massive infrastructure projects. A key difference from the Western concept of “capital” lies in its source and flow. While in the West, “capital” might primarily evoke images of private venture capital, stock markets, and angel investors, the landscape for 资金 in China is more complex. A significant portion of 资金 for major initiatives flows from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and government-directed banks. Therefore, securing 资金 in China can be as much about navigating government policy and building `关系 (guānxi)` with the right officials as it is about having a good business plan. This intertwining of state and private capital is a defining feature of the modern Chinese economy and is encapsulated in the pursuit of 资金.

资金 (zījīn) is a formal term used almost exclusively in business, finance, and economics. You will encounter it constantly in news articles about the economy, in corporate meetings, and in legal documents.

• In Business: This is its most common habitat. Startups need to `筹集资金 (chóují zījīn)` - “raise funds.” Companies manage their `资金流 (zījīnliú)` - “cash flow.” A project might be delayed due to `资金短缺 (zījīn duǎnquē)` - “a shortage of funds.”
• In Government and Policy: Government reports will detail `资金` allocated for specific sectors, such as infrastructure, technology, or poverty alleviation. For example, a “special fund” is `专项资金 (zhuānxiàng zījīn)`.
• Formality: The term is neutral and formal. It's a standard, technical term. You would not use it in casual conversation about personal finances unless you were discussing a major personal investment in a very formal way (e.g., “funds for buying a house,” `购房资金 - gòufáng zījīn`).

• Example 1:
  • 我们公司需要更多的资金来扩大业务。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī xūyào gèng duō de zījīn lái kuòdà yèwù.
  • English: Our company needs more funds to expand the business.
  • Analysis: A classic and straightforward business context. `资金` here clearly means “capital” for growth.
• Example 2:
  • 由于资金不足，这个项目被迫暂停了。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú zījīn bùzú, zhège xiàngmù bèi pò zàntíng le.
  • English: Due to insufficient funds, this project was forced to be suspended.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative consequence of lacking `资金`. `资金不足 (zījīn bùzú)` is a very common collocation.
• Example 3:
  • 政府为这个高科技园区提供了资金支持。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ wèi zhège gāokējì yuánqū tígōng le zījīn zhīchí.
  • English: The government provided financial support for this high-tech park.
  • Analysis: Highlights the role of government in allocating `资金`. `资金支持 (zījīn zhīchí)` means “financial support.”
• Example 4:
  • 他的创业资金主要来自个人储蓄。
  • Pinyin: Tā de chuàngyè zījīn zhǔyào láizì gèrén chǔxù.
  • English: His startup capital mainly came from personal savings.
  • Analysis: This shows how `资金` can be used to specify the source of funding for a formal purpose like a startup (`创业 chuàngyè`).
• Example 5:
  • 公司的资金链断了，情况非常危险。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de zījīnliàn duàn le, qíngkuàng fēicháng wēixiǎn.
  • English: The company's cash flow chain broke, and the situation is very dangerous.
  • Analysis: Introduces the related concept of `资金链 (zījīnliàn)`, or “capital chain,” which is crucial for a company's survival.
• Example 6:
  • 我们必须确保每一笔资金都用在刀刃上。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū quèbǎo měi yī bǐ zījīn dōu yòng zài dāorèn shàng.
  • English: We must ensure that every bit of the funds is used effectively (literally: “used on the knife's edge”).
  • Analysis: A common idiom `用在刀刃上 (yòng zài dāorèn shàng)` used with `资金` to mean spending money where it counts the most.
• Example 7:
  • 这个慈善机构依靠公众捐款来获得资金。
  • Pinyin: Zhège císhàn jīgòu yīkào gōngzhòng juānkuǎn lái huòdé zījīn.
  • English: This charity relies on public donations to get funds.
  • Analysis: Shows that `资金` isn't limited to for-profit ventures; non-profits also need it.
• Example 8:
  • 公司的注册资金是一千万人民币。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de zhùcè zījīn shì yīqiān wàn rénmínbì.
  • English: The company's registered capital is ten million RMB.
  • Analysis: This is a specific legal and business term, `注册资金 (zhùcè zījīn)`, required when establishing a company in China.
• Example 9:
  • 投资者正在寻找有潜力的项目来投入资金。
  • Pinyin: Tóuzīzhě zhèngzài xúnzhǎo yǒu qiánlì de xiàngmù lái tóurù zījīn.
  • English: Investors are looking for promising projects to put capital into.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the perspective of those who provide the `资金`.
• Example 10:
  • 如何有效管理和运用资金是每个管理者都必须学习的课程。
  • Pinyin: Rúhé yǒuxiào guǎnlǐ hé yùnyòng zījīn shì měi ge guǎnlǐzhě dōu bìxū xuéxí de kèchéng.
  • English: How to effectively manage and utilize funds is a lesson every manager must learn.
  • Analysis: This sentence frames the management of `资金` as a core business skill.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 资金 (zījīn) with 钱 (qián).

• 资金 (zījīn) vs. 钱 (qián):
  • `钱 (qián)` is the general word for “money.” It's what you use to buy coffee, pay for a taxi, or receive as salary. It's used in everyday, informal contexts.
  • `资金 (zījīn)` is “funds” or “capital.” It's for a specific, large-scale, and usually formal purpose like business, investment, or a project.
  • Incorrect: 我没有资金买午饭。 (Wǒ méiyǒu zījīn mǎi wǔfàn.) “I don't have capital to buy lunch.” This sounds absurd. * Correct: 我没有钱买午饭。 (Wǒ méiyǒu qián mǎi wǔfàn.) “I don't have money to buy lunch.”
• 资金 (zījīn) vs. 资本 (zīběn):
  • This is a more subtle distinction. Both can be translated as “capital.”
  • `资金 (zījīn)` refers to the actual, liquid financial resources or cash on hand available for use. It's more concrete.
  • `资本 (zīběn)` is often more abstract and economic. It can refer to all assets that can generate value (including equipment, property, etc.) and is used in theoretical terms like `资本主义 (zīběnzhǔyì)` - “capitalism.” In a business context, when you're talking about the money needed to operate, `资金` is the more common and practical choice.

• `钱 (qián)` - Money. The general, everyday term. `资金` is a specific type of `钱`.
• `资本 (zīběn)` - Capital. A more abstract, economic term for assets used for production.
• `经费 (jīngfèi)` - Operating funds, budget. Often refers to the money allocated for the regular expenses of an organization like a school or a research department.
• `融资 (róngzī)` - (v.) To finance; to raise funds. The action of acquiring `资金`.
• `投资 (tóuzī)` - (v./n.) To invest; investment. The action of deploying `资金` to seek a return.
• `基金 (jījīn)` - A fund (e.g., mutual fund, investment fund). A specific vehicle for managing `资金`.
• `预算 (yùsuàn)` - Budget. A plan for how `资金` will be spent.
• `拨款 (bōkuǎn)` - (v./n.) To allocate funds; an appropriation. Typically refers to funds allocated by a government or large organization.
• `流动资金 (liúdòng zījīn)` - Working capital, liquid funds. The `资金` needed for day-to-day operations.
• `资金链 (zījīnliàn)` - Capital chain; cash flow. A critical concept for a company's financial health.