合资

• Pinyin: hé zī
• Hanzi breakdown: 合 = 亼 + 口 — to combine/join; 资 = 次 (sequence/order) + 贝 (shell/money) — capital/resources

Meaning

To jointly invest; to pool capital together. Used as both a verb and an attributive modifier (e.g. 合资企业 — joint venture).

Widely used in business and economic contexts since China's reform and opening-up period. The joint venture model became a central mechanism for foreign investment in China from the 1980s onward. Implies a formal arrangement where multiple parties contribute capital and share profits, losses, and operational responsibilities.

Examples

1. 两家企业决定合资成立一家专门从事新能源汽车研发的子公司。 The two companies decided to form a joint venture to establish a subsidiary focused on R&D for new-energy vehicles.
2. 改革开放以来，合资企业在推动中国经济现代化的进程中发挥了重要作用。 Since reform and opening up, joint ventures have played an important role in advancing China’s economic modernization.
3. 他们打算合资购置一处写字楼，作为共同开展业务的办公场所。 They plan to pool funds to buy an office building as a shared workplace for running their business together.

Usage Guide

Context: business, economics, foreign investment, finance

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 双方公司计划合资兴建一座现代化物流配送中心，以提升供应链效率。(The two companies plan to jointly invest in building a modern logistics distribution centre to improve supply chain efficiency.)
• 合资经营可以有效整合双方的技术优势与市场资源。(Joint ventures can effectively integrate the technological strengths and market resources of both parties.)

Don't Say

• 合资 for simple co-purchasing of everyday items — use 合买 or 凑钱; 合资 is a formal business or financial investment term

Origin & History

合 (together; combined) + 资 (capital; resources; investment funds)

Cultural Context

Era: Post-1978 reform era

Generation: All ages

Social background: Business class