资源 (zīyuán)

资源 refers to any available supply of natural materials, energy, people, knowledge, or other inputs that can be drawn upon to achieve goals -- a word spanning environmental science, economics, and management.

Meanings

[noun] resources (natural, human, educational, financial, etc.)

Example Sentences

中国拥有丰富的自然资源，但分布不均衡。 Zhōngguó yōngyǒu fēngfù de zìrán zīyuán, dàn fēnbù bù jūnhéng. China has abundant natural resources, but their distribution is uneven.

合理利用资源是可持续发展的关键。 Hélǐ lìyòng zīyuán shì kěchíxù fāzhǎn de guānjiàn. Making rational use of resources is the key to sustainable development.

教育资源的不均等分配加剧了城乡差距。 Jiàoyù zīyuán de bù jūnděng fēnpèi jiājù le chéngnóng chājù. The unequal distribution of educational resources has widened the urban-rural gap.

这家公司将更多资源投入到研发部门。 Zhè jiā gōngsī jiāng gèng duō zīyuán tóurù dào yánfā bùmén. This company is investing more resources into its research and development department.

水资源短缺是21世纪人类面临的重大挑战。 Shuǐ zīyuán duǎnquē shì 21 shìjì rénlèi miànlín de zhòngdà tiǎozhàn. Water resource scarcity is a major challenge facing humanity in the 21st century.

充分利用现有资源，才能实现效益最大化。 Chōngfèn lìyòng xiànyǒu zīyuán, cái néng shíxiàn xiàoyì zuìdàhuà. Only by making full use of existing resources can one maximize benefits.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
自然资源 (zìrán zīyuán)	natural resources
人力资源 (rénlì zīyuán)	human resources
教育资源 (jiàoyù zīyuán)	educational resources
整合资源 (zhěnghé zīyuán)	to integrate resources
资源配置 (zīyuán pèizhì)	resource allocation

Usage Notes

资源 is a broad term that applies to virtually any type of resource. Common types include 自然资源 (natural), 人力资源 (human/HR), 教育资源 (educational), 水资源 (water), 能源资源 (energy), and 信息资源 (information). In business contexts, 资源 often means budget, staff, or capabilities.

The management phrase 资源配置 (resource allocation) is very common in economic and policy writing, alongside 优化资源配置 (optimizing resource allocation).

Memory Hook

资 (capital/supply) + 源 (source/origin): the source of supply -- resources.