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March 24, 2026
投机(投機)tóujī(tou2ji1)
投机 refers to the act of speculating, particularly in financial markets, where individuals make investments based on anticipated future price movements rather than fundamental value. It can also imply a sense of opportunism, where one takes advantage of favorable conditions or trends, often with a connotation of being somewhat risky or short-term focused.
Frequency#17885DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 投机 is often viewed critically, as it can suggest a lack of diligence and a preference for quick gains over hard work. This ties into traditional values emphasizing perseverance and long-term planning.
Memory Tip
Think of 投机 as 'throwing' (投) your money into the 'market' (机) to catch a chance. Picture a fisherman casting his line into the water, hoping for a big catch, representing the speculative nature of investing without solid ground.
Meanings of 投机
tóujī(tou2ji1)
1to speculate (on financial markets)
2opportunistic
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 投机
投机Simplified
投機Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#17885Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 投机
Podcast: 投机
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AI Study Notes for 投机
Quick Contrast
投机 (tóujī) vs 投资 (tóuzī) — choose 投机 when emphasizing speculation and opportunism, while 投资 focuses on long-term investment strategies.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 投机 as 'throwing' (投) your money into the 'market' (机) to catch a chance. Picture a fisherman casting his line into the water, hoping for a big catch, representing the speculative nature of investing without solid ground.
Usage Notes
投机 is often used in financial contexts, so it carries a more formal tone. Learners should be cautious about using it in casual conversation as it may imply a negative connotation of recklessness. Common collocations include 投机行为 (speculative behavior) and 投机商 (speculator).
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 6, students should focus on understanding the nuances of 投机, especially its implications in finance. It connects to other financial terms like 投资 (investment) and 市场 (market), enriching vocabulary related to economics.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 投机 is often viewed critically, as it can suggest a lack of diligence and a preference for quick gains over hard work. This ties into traditional values emphasizing perseverance and long-term planning.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 投机 with 投资 (investment), not realizing that 投机 emphasizes speculative risk. For example, saying '我在投机股票' (I am investing in stocks) is incorrect; it should be '我在投机' to focus on the speculative aspect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 投机
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Grammar Patterns of 投机
投机 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
他亲口承认自己在佛罗里达从事房地产____生意时逃过税。
By his own admission, he evaded taxes as a Florida real-estate speculator.
Example Sentences for 投机 (5)
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1
他亲口承认自己在佛罗里达从事房地产投机生意时逃过税。
tā qīn kǒu chéng rèn zì jǐ zài fó luó lǐ dá cóng shì fáng dì chǎn tóu jī shēng yì shí táo guò shuì。
By his own admission, he evaded taxes as a Florida real-estate speculator.
2
总统坚持说他如此做是出于同情而不是为了投机。
zǒng tǒng jiān chí shuō tā rú cǐ zuò shì chū yú tóng qíng ér bù shì wéi le tóu jī。
The president insisted that he was acting out of compassion, not opportunism.
He was chiseled out of one thousand dollars in business speculation.
5
他暗通关节,钻营投机挤进了委员会.
tā àn tōng guān jié, , zuān yíng tóu jī jǐ jìn le wěi yuán.
He bribed himself onto the committee.
Cultural Notes for 投机
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 投机 is often viewed critically, as it can suggest a lack of diligence and a preference for quick gains over hard work. This ties into traditional values emphasizing perseverance and long-term planning.
Frequently Asked Questions about 投机
While 投机 can imply opportunism and risk, it is not always viewed negatively; it depends on the context and the outcome of the speculation.
Yes, 投机 can describe opportunistic behavior in various contexts, not just financial, such as in politics or business.
Synonyms include 投资 (investment) in a broader sense and 冒险 (risk-taking) when emphasizing the speculative aspect.
