投资

• Pinyin: tóu zī
• Hanzi breakdown: 投 = 扌(hand) + 殳 (phonetic); 资 = 贝(money) + 次 (phonetic)

Meaning

Investment; to invest money or resources.

Primarily used in financial and business contexts. Refers to committing money or resources with the expectation of future returns. 投资者 (tóuzīzhě) means investor; 外国投资 means foreign investment; 投资回报 means return on investment. Also used figuratively (e.g., education as an investment in the future).

Examples

1. 他把大部分积蓄用于股票投资，希望获得更高的回报。 He put most of his savings into stock market investments, hoping for higher returns.
2. 这家外国企业在中国的投资已经超过了一亿美元。 This foreign company's investment in China has already exceeded 100 million US dollars.
3. 教育是对孩子未来最有价值的一项投资。 Education is the most valuable investment you can make in a child's future.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, business, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他在房地产方面做了大量投资。(He has made substantial investments in real estate.)
• 这个项目的前期投资很大，但长期来看很值得。(The upfront investment for this project is large, but it's worthwhile in the long run.)

Don't Say

• 投资 ≠ 消费 — 投资 implies an expectation of return or future gain, while 消费 (consumption) is simply spending. Don't use them interchangeably.

Origin & History

Compound of 投 (to put in/throw) and 资 (resources/capital, from 贝 money + phonetic), together meaning to commit capital or resources to gain future value.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal