Japanese word

資本

Pronunciation

Romajishihon

Meaning

  • nouncapital

Example

この会社には資本が必要です。ko no gai sha ni wa shi hon ga hitsu yō de su

This company needs capital.

Illustration for 資本 (capital)

More examples

事業を始めるには資本が足りません。ji gyō o haji me ru ni wa shi hon ga ta ri ma se n

We do not have enough capital to start the business.

Core concept

Describes resources that support an activity and make continued economic action possible.

Common phrases

  • 資本が必要shi hon ga hitsu yō

    need capital

  • 資本を集めるshi hon o atsu me ru

    raise capital

  • 資本を投じるshi hon o tō ji ru

    invest capital

Similar words

資金shikin: Money available for a particular purpose or activity.
元手motode: Money used to start a business or other income-producing activity.

Definition in Japanese

事業などを支えるもとになる金銭や財産。ji gyō na do o sasa e ru mo to ni na ru kin sen ya zai san

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 資本 (shihon) combines 資 (shi, "resources") with 本 (hon, "basis").

Usage tips

  • A company can raise capital before expanding, so the word often appears in conversations about starting, running, or growing a business.

Other meanings

  • fundsnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word