资源

• Pinyin: zī yuán
• Hanzi breakdown: 资 = 贝 (shell/money) + 次 (phonetic), resources; 源 = 氵(water) + 原 (origin), source or origin

Meaning

Resources; natural or social assets available for use. Covers natural, human, financial, and information resources.

A broad term encompassing anything of value that can be drawn upon — natural resources (natural resources), 人力资源 (human resources), 教育资源 (educational resources), etc. Used widely in government, business, and environmental contexts. 节约资源 (conserve resources) is a common public slogan.

Examples

1. 我们应该合理利用自然资源，避免浪费。 We should make reasonable use of natural resources and avoid waste.
2. 这所大学拥有丰富的教学资源，吸引了许多学生报考。 This university has abundant teaching resources, attracting many students to apply.
3. 公司决定重新分配人力资源，以提高工作效率。 The company decided to reallocate human resources in order to improve work efficiency.

Usage Guide

Context: environment, workplace, education, policy

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个地区的水资源非常有限。(Water resources in this region are very limited.)
• 公司正在整合现有资源来开展新项目。(The company is integrating existing resources to launch a new project.)

Don't Say

• 用'资源'指单件物品或工具 (Don't use 资源 for a single object or tool — say 工具 or 设备 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 资 (wealth, resources) and 源 (source, origin). Together they mean 'the source of wealth or assets'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal