成本 (chéngběn) — cost; production cost

成本 (chéngběn)

成本 refers to the cost or expense required to produce, acquire, or achieve something, widely used in business, economics, and everyday contexts to describe financial expenditure.

Meanings

1. [noun] cost; production cost; expenses (what must be spent to produce or achieve something)

Example Sentences

降低生产成本是企业保持竞争力的关键策略之一。 Jiàngdī shēngchǎn chéngběn shì qǐyè bǎochí jìngzhēnglì de guānjiàn cèlüè zhī yī. Reducing production costs is one of the key strategies for businesses to maintain competitiveness.

新技术的引进虽然初期成本较高，但从长远来看可以大幅降低运营费用。 Xīn jìshù de yǐnjìn suīrán chūqī chéngběn jiào gāo, dàn cóng cháng yuǎn lái kàn kěyǐ dàfú jiàngdī yùnyíng fèiyòng. Although introducing new technology has a high initial cost, in the long run it can significantly reduce operating expenses.

这家公司通过优化供应链成功地将成本削减了百分之二十。 Zhè jiā gōngsī tōngguò yōuhuà gōngyìng liàn chénggōng de jiāng chéngběn xuē jiǎnle bǎifēnzhī èrshí. This company successfully cut costs by twenty percent by optimizing its supply chain.

在做商业决策时，必须充分考虑机会成本，而不仅仅是直接的财务支出。 Zài zuò shāngyè juécè shí, bìxū chōngfèn kǎolǜ jīhuì chéngběn, ér bùjǐnjǐn shì zhíjiē de cáiwù zhīchū. When making business decisions, opportunity costs must be fully considered, not just direct financial expenditure.

随着劳动力成本的不断上涨，许多制造业企业开始考虑引进自动化设备。 Suízhe láodònglì chéngběn de bùduàn shàngzhǎng, xǔduō zhìzào yè qǐyè kāishǐ kǎolǜ yǐnjìn zìdònghuà shèbèi. As labor costs continue to rise, many manufacturing companies are beginning to consider introducing automated equipment.

环保措施虽然会增加短期成本，但有助于企业建立良好的社会形象，吸引更多投资者。 Huánbǎo cuòshī suīrán huì zēngjiā duǎnqī chéngběn, dàn yǒuzhù yú qǐyè jiànlì liánghǎo de shèhuì xíngxiàng, xīyǐn gèng duō tóuzī zhě. Although environmental measures increase short-term costs, they help businesses build a good social image and attract more investors.

Collocations

Usage Notes

成本 is primarily an economic and business term, though it is widely understood in everyday Chinese. It refers to costs in a production or achievement context, and is distinct from 费用 (fees/charges/expenses), which is a more general term for expenses paid, and 代价 (price/cost), which often carries a metaphorical or sacrifice meaning.

The compound 机会成本 (opportunity cost) is important at B2 level for discussing economics and decision-making. Another key phrase is 成本效益 (cost-effectiveness), used in evaluating whether an expense is worthwhile.

Memory Hook

成 (to become/to complete) + 本 (origin/capital) — the "original capital" needed to make something become a reality.