本钱

• Pinyin: běn qián
• Hanzi breakdown: 本 = 木 (tree) + 一 (root marker); 钱 = 钅 (metal) + 戋 (phonetic)

Meaning

Capital; principal; resources. The initial money or assets for a venture.

Originally refers to the principal or starting capital in a business venture. Extended to mean any resources, abilities, or assets one can rely on. Figuratively refers to health, youth, skills, or connections that give one an advantage.

Examples

1. 创业需要本钱，光有想法是不够的。 Starting a business requires capital — ideas alone aren't enough.
2. 年轻就是你最大的本钱，好好利用这几年。 Youth is your greatest asset — make good use of these years.
3. 他把多年积蓄都当本钱投进了这个项目。 He put all his savings into this project as startup capital.

Usage Guide

Context: business, investment, life advice

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 做生意要有本钱。(You need capital to do business.)
• 健康是最重要的本钱。(Health is your most important asset.)

Don't Say

• 把负债说成'本钱' (Don't call borrowed money 本钱 if it creates debt — 本钱 implies owned resources)

Origin & History

本 (root/principal) + 钱 (money). The root money, i.e., starting capital.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal