本钱

本錢

běnqián

noun HSK 7-9 #18,497

Meanings

1 capital; principal (money invested)
2 one's assets or advantages

Characters

root; original; capital

Literally 'root money' - the original money you invest, before any profit.

Examples

HSK 4

做生意要先有本钱。

Zuòshēngyì yào xiān yǒu běnqián.

To do business, you first need capital.

HSK 4

年轻就是你最大的本钱。

Niánqīng jiùshì nǐ zuì dà de běnqián.

Youth is your greatest asset.

Tips

usage

本钱 has a vivid figurative meaning: any advantage or resource you can leverage. 身体是革命的本钱 ('health is the capital of revolution') is a famous saying meaning health is your most important asset.

Stroke Order

本 běn

钱 qián