Understanding "本钱" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 本钱
• Pinyin: běnqián
• Literal Meaning: “root money” or “capital money”
• Primary Meaning: capital, principal (in a business or investment); figuratively, a resource, asset, or foundation that enables success in any endeavor

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage
The word 本钱 is most commonly used in financial and business contexts to refer to the money originally invested to start a business, trade, or income‑generating activity. It corresponds to the English words “capital” or “principal.” For example, if you open a shop or invest in stocks, the initial money you put in is your 本钱.

Beyond literal money, 本钱 is frequently used metaphorically. It can refer to any essential resource that allows you to accomplish something — your skills, knowledge, health, reputation, or even time. For instance, good health might be called the 本钱 for hard work, or a strong network might be the 本钱 for career success. This figurative use is extremely common in everyday Chinese, making the word much more versatile than a simple translation of “capital” might suggest.

Character Breakdown
- 本 (běn) – This character means “root,” “origin,” “foundation,” or “capital.” It conveys the idea of something fundamental, the starting point or base of something. In business contexts, it specifically means “capital” or “principal.”
- 钱 (qián) – This character simply means “money.”

Together, 本钱 literally paints a picture of “foundation money” — the money that serves as the root of a financial activity, or more broadly, the basic asset needed to get something started.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 他开公司需要一笔本钱。
  Pinyin: Tā kāi gōngsī xūyào yī bǐ běnqián.
  English: He needs a sum of capital to start a company.

• Chinese: 身体是革命的本钱。
  Pinyin: Shēntǐ shì gémìng de běnqián.
  English: Health is the capital for revolution. (A well‑known saying meaning one’s health is the foundation for any great undertaking.)

• Chinese: 你如果把本钱都赔光了，还怎么继续做生意？
  Pinyin: Nǐ rúguǒ bǎ běnqián dōu péi guāng le, hái zěnme jìxù zuò shēngyi?
  English: If you lose all your capital, how can you continue doing business?

Cultural Notes

The sentence “身体是革命的本钱” is a famous quote attributed to Mao Zedong. It vividly expresses the idea that without good health, even the most ambitious plans (“revolution”) cannot succeed. The saying has entered everyday language, often used by friends, family, or colleagues to urge someone to take care of themselves. This cultural phenomenon shows how 本钱 extends far beyond financial vocabulary into general life philosophy.

Conclusion

Remember 本钱 as “foundational capital.” Whether you’re talking about the money you invest in a business or the personal qualities that help you thrive, 本钱 is the essential resource you rely on at the start. The metaphor is powerful: just as a business cannot run without capital, you cannot succeed in life without your core assets — so protect your 本钱, whatever form it takes.