xiónghòu: 雄厚 - Ample, Abundant, Substantial, Solid

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• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of the Chinese adjective 雄厚 (xiónghòu), a powerful term used to describe resources, capital, or foundations that are not just abundant but also incredibly solid and substantial. This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical usage in business and economics, contrasting it with similar words like 丰富 (fēngfù). Ideal for learners who want to understand how to describe formidable strength and deep, reliable resources in Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xiónghòu
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: Describing resources (like capital, technology, or manpower) as being impressively abundant, solid, and powerful.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 雄厚 (xiónghòu) as “abundant plus.” It doesn't just mean “a lot”; it means a quantity so large and well-established that it creates a foundation of immense strength and reliability. It’s the difference between having a lot of cash in your wallet (`钱很多`) and controlling a massive, stable financial empire (`资本雄厚`). The word carries a sense of grandeur, power, and unshakeable depth.

• 雄 (xióng): The primary meaning is “male” (as in the opposite of 雌, female). However, it extends to mean “powerful,” “grand,” “heroic,” or “imposing.” Think of a majestic eagle (雄鹰 - xióngyīng) or a great hero (英雄 - yīngxióng). In this context, it contributes the feeling of power and impressiveness.
• 厚 (hòu): This character means “thick,” “deep,” or “generous.” It evokes the image of a thick wall, a deep foundation, or a generous character. It contributes the sense of substance, depth, and reliability.

When combined, 雄厚 (xiónghòu) literally paints a picture of “powerful thickness” or “grand depth.” This perfectly captures the idea of resources that are both plentiful in quantity and formidable in strength.

• The Value of a Solid Foundation: 雄厚 taps into a deep cultural appreciation for stability, long-term planning, and enduring strength. In business, government, and even family matters, having a 雄厚 foundation is a sign of prestige, wisdom, and reliability. It's a word that commands respect. A company described as `资本雄厚` (zīběn xiónghòu) isn't just rich; it's seen as a pillar of the industry, an institution that can weather any storm.
• Comparison to Western Concepts: The English phrase “deep pockets” or “well-capitalized” is similar but doesn't quite capture the same gravitas. Those terms are purely financial and functional. 雄厚 carries an almost reverential tone, implying a legacy of strength and a formidable presence. It's less about a tech startup with a huge round of funding and more about a century-old bank with vast, diversified assets. It describes a power that is established and undeniable.

• Formality: 雄厚 is a formal word. You will encounter it frequently in news reports, economic analyses, university brochures, corporate websites, and formal presentations. It is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation.
• Common Collocations (Fixed Pairings):
  • 实力雄厚 (shílì xiónghòu): (of a company, institution, or person) to have formidable strength/capabilities.
  • 资本雄厚 (zīběn xiónghòu): to have abundant/solid capital.
  • 师资力量雄厚 (shīzī lìliàng xiónghòu): to have a strong and large faculty (used for schools and universities).
  • 技术力量雄厚 (jìshù lìliàng xiónghòu): to have strong/advanced technical capabilities.
  • 经济基础雄厚 (jīngjì jīchǔ xiónghòu): to have a solid economic foundation.

• Example 1:
  • 这家公司的资本非常雄厚，可以投资很多大项目。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī de zīběn fēicháng xiónghòu, kěyǐ tóuzī hěn duō dà xiàngmù.
  • English: This company's capital is extremely substantial, so it can invest in many large projects.
  • Analysis: This is a classic business use case. 雄厚 emphasizes that the company's financial resources are not just large, but stable and powerful.
• Example 2:
  • 北京大学有雄厚的师资力量，吸引了来自世界各地的学生。
  • Pinyin: Běijīng Dàxué yǒu xiónghòu de shīzī lìliàng, xīyǐnle láizì shìjiè gèdì de xuéshēng.
  • English: Peking University has a strong and abundant faculty, attracting students from all over the world.
  • Analysis: Here, 雄厚 describes the collective expertise and number of professors. It implies both high quality and large quantity, a key selling point for a top university.
• Example 3:
  • 经过几十年的发展，中国的国力日益雄厚。
  • Pinyin: Jīngguò jǐ shí nián de fāzhǎn, Zhōngguó de guólì rìyì xiónghòu.
  • English: After several decades of development, China's national strength has become increasingly solid and abundant.
  • Analysis: A common phrase in political and economic discourse. 雄厚 is used to describe a nation's overall power, including its economy, military, and technological prowess.
• Example 4:
  • 他们的成功不仅靠运气，更靠的是雄厚的家庭背景。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de chénggōng bùjǐn kào yùnqì, gèng kào de shì xiónghòu de jiātíng bèijǐng.
  • English: Their success relies not only on luck, but even more on a substantial family background.
  • Analysis: This shows 雄厚 can be used to describe intangible but powerful resources like family connections and wealth.
• Example 5:
  • 作为一家科技巨头，该公司拥有雄厚的技术实力。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī jiā kējì jùtóu, gāi gōngsī yōngyǒu xiónghòu de jìshù shílì.
  • English: As a tech giant, that company possesses formidable technical strength.
  • Analysis: This is a common phrase in the tech and engineering world, referring to a company's deep well of patents, skilled engineers, and R&D capabilities.
• Example 6:
  • 上海有雄厚的工业基础，是中国的经济中心之一。
  • Pinyin: Shànghǎi yǒu xiónghòu de gōngyè jīchǔ, shì Zhōngguó de jīngjì zhōngxīn zhīyī.
  • English: Shanghai has a solid industrial foundation and is one of China's economic centers.
  • Analysis: Here, 雄厚 describes a historical accumulation of infrastructure, factories, and skilled labor that forms a region's economic base.
• Example 7:
  • 任何伟大的成就都需要有雄厚的知识储备作为支撑。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé wěidà de chéngjiù dōu xūyào yǒu xiónghòu de zhīshì chǔbèi zuòwéi zhīchēng.
  • English: Any great achievement requires the support of a substantial reserve of knowledge.
  • Analysis: This is a more abstract usage. It compares a deep knowledge base to a powerful, solid resource, highlighting its importance.
• Example 8:
  • 想要和实力雄厚的对手竞争，我们必须创新。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎng yào hé shílì xiónghòu de duìshǒu jìngzhēng, wǒmen bìxū chuàngxīn.
  • English: If we want to compete with a formidable opponent, we must innovate.
  • Analysis: The phrase `实力雄厚` is a very common collocation used to describe a powerful competitor in any field, from business to sports.
• Example 9:
  • 这个研究所的科研力量很雄厚。
  • Pinyin: Zhège yánjiūsuǒ de kēyán lìliàng hěn xiónghòu.
  • English: This research institute's scientific research capabilities are very strong/solid.
  • Analysis: Similar to “technical strength,” this points to the institute having many skilled researchers, advanced equipment, and significant funding.
• Example 10:
  • 那个王朝凭借其雄厚的财力修建了长城。
  • Pinyin: Nàge wángcháo píngjiè qí xiónghòu de cáilì xiūjiànle chángchéng.
  • English: That dynasty relied on its immense financial resources to build the Great Wall.
  • Analysis: This example shows its use in a historical context, emphasizing the massive scale of resources required for such a monumental project.

• Don't Use It for Everyday Things: A common mistake is to use 雄厚 for small-scale abundance. It is reserved for large, impressive, and often institutional-level resources.
  • Incorrect: 我今天的工作量很雄厚。(My workload today is very substantial.) → Correct: 我今天的工作量很大 (wǒ jīntiān de gōngzuòliàng hěn dà).
  • Incorrect: 这碗面条很雄厚。(This bowl of noodles is very abundant.) → Correct: 这碗面条分量很足 (zhè wǎn miàntiáo fènliàng hěn zú).
• Key Distinction: 雄厚 (xiónghòu) vs. 丰富 (fēngfù)
  • This is the most important nuance to master. Both can be translated as “rich” or “abundant,” but they are not interchangeable.
  • 丰富 (fēngfù): Refers to variety, richness, and plentifulness in a general sense. It can describe experiences, colors, knowledge, contents, or types of things. It lacks the implication of power and solidity.
    • Correct: 他有丰富的经验。(Tā yǒu fēngfù de jīngyàn.) - He has rich experience.
    • Correct: 这顿饭的菜品很丰富。(Zhè dùn fàn de càipǐn hěn fēngfù.) - The dishes in this meal are very rich/varied.
  • 雄厚 (xiónghòu): Refers to abundance that constitutes a powerful, solid foundation. It's about strength derived from resources.
    • Correct: 公司有雄厚的资本。(Gōngsī yǒu xiónghòu de zīběn.) - The company has abundant capital.
    • Awkward/Incorrect: ~~他有雄厚的经验。~~ (This is wrong because experience is about variety and depth, not power in the same way capital is.)

• `丰富 (fēngfù)` - A close synonym for “rich/abundant,” but more general and lacking the connotation of power and solidity. It emphasizes variety and quantity.
• `强大 (qiángdà)` - Means “powerful” or “mighty.” It focuses on the resulting power itself (e.g., a powerful army), while 雄厚 often describes the deep resources that create that power.
• `实力 (shílì)` - A noun meaning “actual strength” or “(real) capability.” It is the “what” that is often described by the adjective 雄厚.
• `充足 (chōngzú)` - Means “sufficient,” “adequate,” or “ample.” It's a functional term meaning “enough to meet a need.” 雄厚 goes far beyond mere sufficiency to a level of impressive abundance.
• `深厚 (shēnhòu)` - Means “deep” or “profound.” It shares the character `厚` and the sense of depth, but it's typically used for abstract concepts like relationships (`感情深厚`), culture (`文化底蕴深厚`), or a foundation of knowledge.
• `国力 (guólì)` - A noun for “national strength,” which is very frequently modified by 雄厚.
• `资本 (zīběn)` - A noun for “capital,” another word that is a classic partner for 雄厚.