要素

• Pinyin: yào sù
• Hanzi breakdown: 要 = 西 (west) + 女 (woman), meaning important; 素 = 糸 (silk) + component, meaning basic/element

Meaning

Element; essential factor; key component. The fundamental parts that make up something.

Used in academic, technical, and analytical contexts. Common phrases: 关键要素 (key element), 基本要素 (basic element), 成功要素 (elements of success), 生产要素 (factors of production). More formal than 因素 (factor).

Examples

1. 创新是企业发展的核心要素。 Innovation is a core element of enterprise development.
2. 这幅画包含了构图的几个基本要素。 This painting contains several basic elements of composition.
3. 影响经济增长的要素有很多。 There are many elements that affect economic growth.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, business, analysis

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 这是成功的关键要素。(This is a key element of success.)
• 我们需要分析各个要素。(We need to analyze each element.)

Don't Say

• 要素很多的东西 — 应说'包含很多要素的东西'，要素一般不直接修饰名词

Origin & History

Compound of 要 (important, essential) + 素 (element, basic). Together meaning essential elements.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal