kùcún: 库存 - Inventory, Stock, Stockpile

• Keywords: 库存, kùcún, Chinese inventory, stock in Chinese, what is kucun, inventory management in China, e-commerce stock, supply chain Chinese, out of stock in Chinese, warehouse stock
• Summary: 库存 (kùcún) is a fundamental Chinese term meaning “inventory” or “stock,” referring to the goods a business has on hand. Essential for anyone involved in commerce, logistics, or e-commerce in China, understanding kùcún is key to discussing supply chains, product availability, and sales. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural importance in China's fast-paced economy, and practical usage from managing a warehouse to checking if a product is in stock online.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kù cún
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The goods or materials a business holds for the purpose of resale or use.
• In a Nutshell: 库存 (kùcún) is the stuff sitting in a warehouse or on a store shelf, waiting to be sold. Think of Amazon's fulfillment centers or the back room of a local shop—all the products they have on hand are their `kùcún`. It can be used as a noun (“We have a lot of inventory”) or as part of a verb phrase (“We need to clear the inventory”).

• 库 (kù): This character means “warehouse,” “storeroom,” or “treasury.” It's a combination of the “shelter” radical (广) and the character for “chariot” or “car” (车). Pictorially, it suggests a garage or a covered place to store valuable things like vehicles.
• 存 (cún): This character means “to store,” “to keep,” or “to exist.” It suggests preserving or keeping something safe.
• When combined, 库存 (kùcún) literally translates to “warehouse storage,” a very direct and logical way to form the word for “inventory” or “stock.”

While “inventory” is a universal business concept, 库存 (kùcún) takes on a special significance in the context of modern China's economy. As the “world's factory” and home to the largest e-commerce market, managing `kùcún` is a high-stakes, high-speed operation. A key cultural point of comparison is the scale and intensity of inventory management during massive online shopping festivals like 双十一 (Shuāng Shíyī), or “Singles' Day.” A Western business might prepare for Black Friday, but the sheer volume of transactions on Singles' Day puts immense pressure on Chinese companies to have accurate `kùcún` data and efficient logistics. A company's success or failure can hinge on its ability to handle 库存压力 (kùcún yālì) - inventory pressure. Furthermore, the phrase 清库存 (qīng kùcún), “to clear inventory,” is a common and visible business strategy. You'll frequently see signs and online banners for clearance sales aimed at getting rid of old stock to make way for new products, reflecting the fast-paced consumer cycle. This isn't just about “a sale”; it's a critical business activity tied to cash flow and competitiveness.

库存 (kùcún) is a highly practical word used daily in business, retail, and even digital life.

• In Business and E-commerce: This is its primary domain. It's used to discuss supply chain, sales, and logistics.
  • 查库存 (chá kùcún): To check the stock level.
  • 库存不足 (kùcún bùzú): Insufficient stock.
  • 库存积压 (kùcún jīyā): Overstock / a backlog of inventory.
  • 没(有)库存了 (méi(yǒu) kùcún le): It's out of stock now.
• In Daily Life (Shopping): As a customer, you'll encounter this term when asking if a product is available.
  • “Do you have this in stock?” could be phrased as “这个有库存吗? (zhège yǒu kùcún ma?)” although more commonly people ask “这个有现货吗? (zhège yǒu xiànhuò ma?)”, meaning “Do you have this on hand?”.
• In Gaming and Digital Contexts: In video games, `kùcún` can refer to a player's inventory—the collection of items they are carrying.
  • “My inventory is full” is a common phrase: 我的库存满了 (wǒ de kùcún mǎn le).

• Example 1:
  • 我们需要检查一下库存水平。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào jiǎnchá yīxià kùcún shuǐpíng.
  • English: We need to check the inventory levels.
  • Analysis: A standard, neutral sentence used in a business or retail context. `水平 (shuǐpíng)` means “level.”
• Example 2:
  • 对不起，这个颜色的鞋子已经没库存了。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, zhège yánsè de xiézi yǐjīng méi kùcún le.
  • English: Sorry, this color of shoes is already out of stock.
  • Analysis: A very common phrase you would hear from a salesperson. `没库存了 (méi kùcún le)` is the standard way to say “out of stock.”
• Example 3:
  • 公司的库存压力很大，我们得想办法清仓。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de kùcún yālì hěn dà, wǒmen děi xiǎng bànfǎ qīngcāng.
  • English: The company's inventory pressure is very high, we have to find a way to clear the stock.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the negative connotation of having too much inventory. `压力 (yālì)` means pressure.
• Example 4:
  • 库存管理是供应链中非常重要的一环。
  • Pinyin: Kùcún guǎnlǐ shì gōngyìngliàn zhōng fēicháng zhòngyào de yī huán.
  • English: Inventory management is a very important link in the supply chain.
  • Analysis: This shows `库存` used in a more formal, academic, or business strategy context. `管理 (guǎnlǐ)` means management.
• Example 5:
  • 网站上显示还有库存，为什么我不能下单？
  • Pinyin: Wǎngzhàn shàng xiǎnshì hái yǒu kùcún, wèishéme wǒ bùnéng xiàdān?
  • English: The website shows there is still stock, why can't I place an order?
  • Analysis: A typical question from an online shopper. `下单 (xiàdān)` means “to place an order.”
• Example 6:
  • 为了减少库存，我们决定进行一次大促销。
  • Pinyin: Wèile jiǎnshǎo kùcún, wǒmen juédìng jìnxíng yīcì dà cùxiāo.
  • English: In order to reduce inventory, we decided to hold a big promotion.
  • Analysis: A common business strategy. `减少 (jiǎnshǎo)` means to reduce.
• Example 7:
  • 这批货的库存数量不正确，需要重新盘点。
  • Pinyin: Zhè pī huò de kùcún shùliàng bù zhèngquè, xūyào chóngxīn pándiǎn.
  • English: The stock quantity for this batch of goods is incorrect, we need to do a recount.
  • Analysis: `盘点 (pándiǎn)` is the specific verb for doing a stock-take or physical inventory count.
• Example 8:
  • 游戏里，我的库存满了，捡不了新装备了。
  • Pinyin: Yóuxì lǐ, wǒ de kùcún mǎn le, jiǎn bùliǎo xīn zhuāngbèi le.
  • English: In the game, my inventory is full, I can't pick up new equipment.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the modern usage of `库存` in the context of video games.
• Example 9:
  • 我们的目标是实现零库存生产。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de mùbiāo shì shíxiàn líng kùcún shēngchǎn.
  • English: Our goal is to achieve zero-inventory production.
  • Analysis: This refers to the “Just-In-Time” (JIT) manufacturing philosophy, showing a high-level business concept.
• Example 10:
  • 由于库存积压，公司的现金流出现了问题。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú kùcún jīyā, gōngsī de xiànjīnliú chūxiànle wèntí.
  • English: Due to the overstock of inventory, the company's cash flow has run into problems.
  • Analysis: `库存积压 (kùcún jīyā)` is a set phrase for “overstock” and highlights the financial consequences.

• False Friend: Inventory vs. Financial Stocks
  • This is the single most important mistake for English speakers to avoid. In English, “stock” can mean inventory (goods in a warehouse) OR shares in a company (e.g., Apple stock).
  • 库存 (kùcún) only means inventory. It has nothing to do with finance.
  • The Chinese word for financial stocks/shares is 股票 (gǔpiào).
  • Incorrect: 我买了一些苹果公司的库存。 (Wǒ mǎile yīxiē Píngguǒ gōngsī de kùcún.) → This means “I bought some of Apple's inventory (i.e., iPhones, computers).”
  • Correct: 我买了一些苹果公司的股票。 (Wǒ mǎile yīxiē Píngguǒ gōngsī de gǔpiào.) → “I bought some Apple stock.”
• Noun vs. Verb Usage
  • While `库存` can be a verb, it's less common to use it alone. Beginners should treat it primarily as a noun. It is more natural to use it in verb-object phrases like 清库存 (qīng kùcún) (clear inventory) or 盘点库存 (pándiǎn kùcún) (to take inventory).

• 仓库 (cāngkù) - Warehouse. The physical place where `库存` is stored.
• 现货 (xiànhuò) - Goods in stock; available stock. Refers to the actual products on hand, ready for immediate sale. Often used by customers.
• 缺货 (quēhuò) - To be out of stock. The direct antonym or result of having no `库存`.
• 存货 (cúnhuò) - Inventory; goods in stock. A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with `库存`, especially in formal accounting contexts.
• 盘点 (pándiǎn) - To do a stock-take. The action of counting and verifying your `库存`.
• 清仓 (qīngcāng) - Clearance sale; to clear the warehouse. A specific action taken to reduce `库存`.
• 积压 (jīyā) - Overstock; backlog. Describes the negative state of having too much unsold `库存`.
• 股票 (gǔpiào) - Stocks; shares. CRITICAL DISTINCTION: The financial instrument. Not to be confused with `库存`.