亏损 (kuīsǔn) — use 亏本 when specifically referring to operating at a loss in a business context, while 亏损 can refer to losses in a broader sense.

Imagine a person (亏) pulling down a weight (本) that represents their finances. As they pull it down, they watch their money disappear. This visual of loss can help you remember both the pronunciation (kuī) and the meaning of the character.

Be careful not to confuse 亏本 with 赚钱 (zhuànqián), which means to make a profit. 亏本 is typically used in a more formal context, often related to business discussions. A common collocation is 亏本生意 (kuīběn shēngyì), meaning a loss-making business.

While 亏本 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for learners at HSK 4 and above who are interested in business Chinese. Focus on its components and similar terms related to finance, such as 盈利 (yínglì, profit) to understand the broader context.

In Chinese culture, the concept of financial loss can be particularly sensitive, as it relates to one's reputation and status. Businesses often avoid publicly acknowledging losses to maintain face.

Learners often confuse 亏本 with 亏损 (kuīsǔn), which also means to lose money but has a slightly different nuance. For example, saying '这笔交易亏损了' (Zhè bǐ jiāoyì kuīsǔn le) is correct, while using 亏本 here would be less appropriate.