出資

• Reading: しゅっし
• Romaji: shusshi
• Kanji breakdown: 出 (shutsu/de) — put out, contribute; 資 (shi) — capital, funds, resources
• Pronunciation: /ɕɯs.ɕi/

Meaning

Investment; contribution of capital; financing. Putting funds into a company or venture, typically in exchange for equity.

A formal noun referring to contributing funds to a company, project, or joint venture — usually implying a direct ownership stake, unlike the more general 投資. 出資者 means 'investor/backer' and 出資比率 refers to the shareholding ratio. Common in discussions of start-up funding, joint ventures, and corporate governance.

Examples

1. 地元の有力企業3社が新設スタートアップへの出資を決めた。 Three prominent local companies decided to invest in a newly established start-up.
2. 出資比率に応じて、利益と損失が各社に配分される。 Profits and losses are distributed to each company in proportion to their investment ratio.
3. ベンチャーキャピタルから大型の出資を受け、事業を本格化させた。 After receiving a large investment from a venture capital firm, the business began operating in earnest.

Usage Guide

Context: investment, corporate finance, start-ups, joint ventures

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 出 (shutsu/de, putting out/contributing) and 資 (shi, capital/funds/resources). The character 資 contains 貝 (shell, an ancient monetary symbol) alongside 次, suggesting capital passed along or invested.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Business professionals

Social background: Corporate