筹措

• Pinyin: chóu cuò
• Hanzi breakdown: 筹 = ⺮ (bamboo) + 寿 (phonetic) = to plan/raise; 措 = 扌 (hand) + 昔 (past) = to arrange

Meaning

To raise; to secure; to procure (especially funds or resources).

Specifically refers to obtaining resources, especially money, through various means. More formal than 找 or 弄. Often used in business, government, and NGO contexts.

Examples

1. 他四处筹措资金创办了自己的公司。 He raised funds from various sources to start his own company.
2. 政府正在筹措救灾资金。 The government is securing disaster relief funds.
3. 为了治病，全家人都在帮忙筹措医疗费。 To pay for the treatment, the whole family is helping raise medical expenses.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, business, charity

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他们通过众筹筹措了创业资金。(They raised startup capital through crowdfunding.)
• 学校正在筹措奖学金基金。(The school is raising funds for scholarships.)

Don't Say

• 筹措午饭钱 (Too formal for small amounts — use 找 or 凑 for lunch money)

Origin & History

Compound of 筹 (to plan/raise) and 措 (to manage/place). Together they mean securing resources through planning and effort.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal