jiàzhí: 价值 - Value, Worth

• Keywords: 价值, jiazhi, jiàzhí, Chinese value, Chinese worth, meaning of jiazhi, what is 价值, monetary value in Chinese, moral values in Chinese, values system, HSK4 word, 值得, 价格.
• Summary: Discover the deep meaning of 价值 (jiàzhí), the essential Chinese word for both tangible and abstract value and worth. This comprehensive guide explores how jiàzhí is used to discuss everything from the price of an object to profound personal and moral values. Learn to differentiate it from 'price' (价格, jiàgé), understand its cultural significance in modern China, and see how to use this critical HSK 4 term in real-world conversations.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiàzhí
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: 4
• Concise Definition: The inherent or assessed worth of something, both monetary and non-monetary.
• In a Nutshell: `价值` is a powerful and versatile noun that encompasses the English concepts of “value” and “worth.” It can refer to the price tag on an item in a store, but it's more often used to talk about the deeper, more significant value of things like education, friendship, time, or a person's moral principles. Think of it as the answer to the question, “What is this truly worth?”

• 价 (jià): This character is associated with “price” or “cost.” It contains the radical for “person” (人). You can think of it as the value or price determined by people through trade and commerce.
• 值 (zhí): This character means “worth” or “to be worth.” It also contains the “person” radical (人). It points to an inherent or intrinsic worth, something's direct and fundamental value.
• By combining 价 (price) and 值 (worth), the word `价值` creates a complete and robust concept of “value” that covers both the calculated market price and the profound intrinsic worth.

In Chinese, `价值` is a cornerstone for discussing what is important in life, business, and society. While it functions similarly to the English word “value,” its cultural weight is significant. A key related concept is 价值观 (jiàzhíguān), which means “value system” or “worldview.” Discussions about `价值观` are common in China, especially when comparing the perceived differences between generations or between Chinese and Western cultures. For example, traditional Chinese values might emphasize collective harmony, family respect, and societal contribution as having high `价值`, whereas some modern or Western-influenced values might place a higher `价值` on individual achievement and self-expression. Unlike the English “value,” which can sometimes feel abstract, `价值` is often discussed in very concrete terms. A company will define its 核心价值 (héxīn jiàzhí), or “core values.” A person might reflect on their 人生价值 (rénshēng jiàzhí), their “life's value” or purpose. This term is central to understanding how people in China define and pursue a meaningful life and a successful business.

`价值` is used constantly in various contexts, from casual chats to formal business proposals.

This is the most direct usage, referring to the worth of an object or service. It's often used with `有 (yǒu)` to mean “has value” or `没有 (méiyǒu)` for “has no value.”

• This old vase has great historical value.
• This course is expensive, but it has a lot of value.

This is where `价值` gains its depth. It's used to describe the worth of concepts, actions, and principles.

• What is the value of education?
• Helping others is a very valuable/worthwhile thing to do.

In a professional context, `价值` is key to discussing strategy, marketing, and purpose. It's used to talk about “added value,” “customer value,” and “brand value.”

• Our company's core values are innovation and integrity.
• We need to create more value for our customers.

• Example 1:
  • 这幅画有很高的艺术价值。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fú huà yǒu hěn gāo de yìshù jiàzhí.
  • English: This painting has very high artistic value.
  • Analysis: A straightforward example showing `价值` used for the abstract, artistic worth of a physical object.
• Example 2:
  • 他在这家公司的价值是不可替代的。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài zhè jiā gōngsī de jiàzhí shì bùkě tìdài de.
  • English: His value to this company is irreplaceable.
  • Analysis: Here, `价值` refers to the professional worth and contribution of a person.
• Example 3:
  • 我们不应该只用金钱来衡量一个人的价值。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bù yīnggāi zhǐ yòng jīnqián lái héngliáng yīgè rén de jiàzhí.
  • English: We shouldn't only use money to measure a person's worth.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the moral dimension of `价值`, contrasting it with purely monetary worth.
• Example 4:
  • 你认为生命中最重要的价值是什么？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ rènwéi shēngmìng zhōng zuì zhòngyào de jiàzhí shì shénme?
  • English: What do you think is the most important value in life?
  • Analysis: This shows `价值` used in the plural sense of “values” or principles.
• Example 5:
  • 这本书没什么价值，不值得一读。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn shū méishénme jiàzhí, bù zhídé yī dú.
  • English: This book doesn't have much value, it's not worth a read.
  • Analysis: A negative example using `没什么价值` (doesn't have much value). It also neatly includes the related term `值得` (zhídé - to be worth doing).
• Example 6:
  • 学习一门新语言的价值远远超出了找到一份好工作。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxí yī mén xīn yǔyán de jiàzhí yuǎn yuǎn chāochū le zhǎodào yī fèn hǎo gōngzuò.
  • English: The value of learning a new language far exceeds just finding a good job.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the deep, multifaceted `价值` of an experience.
• Example 7:
  • 诚实是一种重要的社会价值。
  • Pinyin: Chéngshí shì yī zhǒng zhòngyào de shèhuì jiàzhí.
  • English: Honesty is an important social value.
  • Analysis: `价值` is used here to mean a “value” as a principle that society holds.
• Example 8:
  • 这个项目的经济价值很高。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù de jīngjì jiàzhí hěn gāo.
  • English: The economic value of this project is very high.
  • Analysis: `经济价值` (jīngjì jiàzhí) is a common collocation for “economic value.”
• Example 9:
  • 他们的研究成果具有重大的科学价值。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de yánjiū chéngguǒ jùyǒu zhòngdà de kēxué jiàzhí.
  • English: Their research findings possess significant scientific value.
  • Analysis: Note the use of `具有 (jùyǒu)`, a more formal way of saying “to have” or “to possess,” often used with abstract concepts like `价值`.
• Example 10:
  • 不同的文化有不同的价值观。
  • Pinyin: Bùtóng de wénhuà yǒu bùtóng de jiàzhíguān.
  • English: Different cultures have different value systems.
  • Analysis: This example uses the crucial related term `价值观 (jiàzhíguān)`, which is built directly from `价值`.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing `价值` (jiàzhí) with `价格` (jiàgé).

• 价值 (jiàzhí): Worth. The inherent or perceived value. It's about what something is worth.
• 价格 (jiàgé): Price. The number on the price tag. It's about what something costs.

A classic example:

A diamond has a high 价格 (price), but a glass of water for a person in the desert has a higher 价值 (value).

Incorrect vs. Correct Usage:

• Incorrect: 这件衣服的价值是多少钱？ (Zhè jiàn yīfú de jiàzhí shì duōshǎo qián?)
  • (This is understandable, but awkward. You're asking about the price tag, not its deep worth.)
• Correct: 这件衣服的价格是多少钱？ (Zhè jiàn yīfú de jiàgé shì duōshǎo qián?)
  • (What is the price of this piece of clothing?)
• Correct: 这件手工制作的衣服有很高的收藏价值。 (Zhè jiàn shǒugōng zhìzuò de yīfú yǒu hěn gāo de shōucáng jiàzhí.)
  • (This handmade piece of clothing has high collection value.)

Rule of thumb: If you can replace the word with “price,” use `价格`. If you mean “worth” or “worthwhileness,” use `价值`.

• 价格 (jiàgé) - Price. The direct monetary cost of an item. The most important antonym/contrast to `价值`.
• 值得 (zhídé) - To be worth (doing). A verb used to say an action is worthwhile. (e.g., This place is worth visiting. 这个地方很值得去看看。)
• 价值观 (jiàzhíguān) - Value system, worldview, values. A person's or culture's set of guiding principles.
• 意义 (yìyì) - Meaning, significance. Often used alongside `价值`. Something can have both `价值` and `意义`.
• 宝贵 (bǎoguì) - Precious, valuable. An adjective used to describe something of great worth, often non-monetary like time (宝贵的时间) or experience (宝贵的经验).
• 重要 (zhòngyào) - Important. While related, `重要` refers to significance or consequence, whereas `价值` refers to worth.
• 成本 (chéngběn) - Cost. An economic term for the expense required to produce something, different from its final price or value.
• 核心价值 (héxīn jiàzhí) - Core values. A set phrase used in business and organizational contexts.