本钱

běn qián

capital

HSK 6

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"本钱" (běn qián) primarily refers to the capital or principal money needed to start a business or investment. It is often used in financial and entrepreneurial contexts to emphasize the initial resources required.

Common Collocations

  • 本钱 (capital investment): referring to putting in the initial funds.
  • 本钱 (no capital): indicating lack of resources to start something.
  • 本钱不足 (insufficient capital): used when funds are not enough.

Usage Notes

When using 本钱, speakers often imply the importance of having sufficient resources before undertaking a project. It can also metaphorically refer to any essential resource or advantage one has. Avoid confusing 本钱 with (money) alone, as 本钱 specifically highlights the foundational or principal funds.

Register and Tone

本钱 is neutral and commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in business or economic discussions.

Example Sentences

创业需要一定的本钱才能开始。

Chuàngyè xūyào yīdìng de běnqián cáinéng kāishǐ.

Starting a business requires a certain amount of capital.

他把所有的本钱都投入了这次投资。

Tā bǎ suǒyǒu de běnqián dōu tóurùle zhè cì tóuzī.

He invested all his capital in this investment.

除了本钱,经验也是成功的重要因素。

Chúle běnqián, jīngyàn yě shì chénggōng de zhòngyào yīnsù.

Besides capital, experience is also an important factor for success.