Definition
赤字 (chì zì) is a noun meaning 'financial deficit' — the red ink in accounting when expenses exceed income. It differs from 亏损 (kuī sǔn, a loss or the act of losing money) and 缺口 (quē kǒu, a more general gap or shortfall). The literal meaning 'red character' helps remember its accounting origin.
noun
(financial) deficitred letter (in accounting; lit. ‘red character’)
Easily confused
- 尺子chǐ zisound-alikeruler (measuring instrument)
Examples
- 赤字。Zhèngfǔ nǔlì jiǎnshǎo cáizhèng chì zì.The government is working to reduce the fiscal deficit.
- 赤字。Zhè jiā gōngsī de chì zì yǐjīng liánxù sān nián kuòdà.This company's deficit has been widening for three consecutive years.
- 赤字，。Zhàngběn shàng chūxiàn le chì zì, xūyào tiáozhěng zhīchū.A red figure appeared in the ledger; expenses need to be adjusted.
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