zhìfù: 致富 - To Become Rich, To Get Wealthy

• Keywords: 致富, zhifu, zhi fu, become rich in Chinese, get wealthy in Chinese, 致富 meaning, Chinese word for wealth, Deng Xiaoping to get rich is glorious, 发财 vs 致富, 勤劳致富, Chinese dream.
• Summary: “致富” (zhìfù) is a fundamental Chinese verb meaning “to become rich” or “to get wealthy.” More than a simple translation, it implies achieving wealth through a process, often involving hard work, strategy, or entrepreneurship. This term is deeply embedded in the story of modern China, particularly since the “Reform and Opening Up” era, where it became a celebrated national goal. Understanding “致富” is key to grasping modern Chinese aspirations, economic policy, and the cultural shift towards individual prosperity.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhìfù
• Part of Speech: Verb (Verb-Object Compound)
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To achieve wealth; to become rich.
• In a Nutshell: “致富” is the formal and aspirational way to talk about becoming wealthy. Think of it not as a sudden windfall, but as building a fortune or reaching a state of prosperity through a deliberate path. It carries a sense of legitimacy, hard work, and long-term success, making it a cornerstone of both personal ambition and national economic discourse in China.

• 致 (zhì): This character's core meaning is “to cause,” “to result in,” “to bring about,” or “to deliver.” It implies an action that leads to a specific outcome.
• 富 (fù): This character means “rich,” “wealthy,” or “abundant.” Pictorially, it's often described as a house (宀) with a full wine jar (酉) inside, symbolizing a household with plenty of resources.
• Together, 致富 (zhìfù) literally means “to cause/bring about wealth.” This structure highlights the process and effort required to achieve the state of being rich, distinguishing it from simply being lucky.

The term 致富 is inextricably linked to China's economic transformation. During the Mao era, egalitarianism was prized, and individual wealth was politically suspect. This changed dramatically in the late 1970s and 1980s under Deng Xiaoping's 改革开放 (gǎigé kāifàng) - Reform and Opening Up. Deng famously championed the idea that “to get rich is glorious” and promoted the policy of “让一部分人先富起来” (ràng yībùfen rén xiān fùqǐlái) — “Let some people get rich first.” This slogan unleashed decades of entrepreneurial energy and legitimized the pursuit of wealth as a positive contribution to society. 致富 became the verb that captured this new national project. Comparison to Western Concepts: While “getting rich” is a goal in the West, 致富 has a stronger socio-political weight in China. It's more akin to the “American Dream” in its aspirational power but is more closely tied to national policy and collective progress. The most respected path is 勤劳致富 (qínláo zhìfù), or “becoming rich through diligence and hard work.” This contrasts with the “get-rich-quick” schemes often viewed with suspicion in both cultures. The term implies a journey of building, creating value, and contributing, not just accumulating money.

致富 is used in both formal and personal contexts, but almost always with a serious, aspirational tone.

• In Government and Media: You'll frequently see it in government reports, policy names, and news headlines discussing economic development, poverty alleviation, and entrepreneurship.
  • Example phrases: `科技致富` (kējì zhìfù - getting rich through science and technology), `创业致富` (chuàngyè zhìfù - getting rich through starting a business).
• In Personal Conversation: While less common in casual chat than its counterpart `发财 (fācái)`, people use 致富 when discussing serious life goals, business plans, or the “secret” to someone's success. It's about a strategy or philosophy for wealth creation.
• Connotation: The connotation is overwhelmingly positive and respectable. It suggests ambition, success, and upward mobility.

• Example 1:
  • 勤劳是致富的唯一途径。
  • Pinyin: Qínláo shì zhìfù de wéiyī tújìng.
  • English: Hard work is the only path to becoming wealthy.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects a core cultural value in China. `勤劳致富` (qínláo zhìfù) is a very common and highly respected set phrase.
• Example 2:
  • 改革开放以后，很多人靠做生意致富了。
  • Pinyin: Gǎigé kāifàng yǐhòu, hěnduō rén kào zuò shēngyì zhìfù le.
  • English: After the Reform and Opening Up, many people got rich by doing business.
  • Analysis: This places `致富` directly in its historical context, linking it to the economic policies that enabled widespread entrepreneurship.
• Example 3:
  • 他写了一本书，分享自己白手起家的致富经验。
  • Pinyin: Tā xiěle yī běn shū, fēnxiǎng zìjǐ báishǒuqǐjiā de zhìfù jīngyàn.
  • English: He wrote a book sharing his experience of starting from scratch and becoming rich.
  • Analysis: Here, `致富` is used as part of a compound noun `致富经验` (zhìfù jīngyàn), meaning “experience of becoming rich.”
• Example 4:
  • 村民们希望通过发展旅游业来致富。
  • Pinyin: Cūnmínmen xīwàng tōngguò fāzhǎn lǚyóuyè lái zhìfù.
  • English: The villagers hope to get rich by developing the tourism industry.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how `致富` is used for collective goals, such as a whole village's economic development plan.
• Example 5:
  • 大家都想知道他快速致富的秘诀是什么。
  • Pinyin: Dàjiā dōu xiǎng zhīdào tā kuàisù zhìfù de mìjué shì shénme.
  • English: Everyone wants to know what his secret to getting rich quick is.
  • Analysis: While `致富` usually implies a long process, it can be modified by adverbs like `快速` (kuàisù - quickly), though this can sometimes carry a hint of suspicion.
• Example 6:
  • 光有致富的愿望是不够的，你还需要行动。
  • Pinyin: Guāng yǒu zhìfù de yuànwàng shì bùgòu de, nǐ hái xūyào xíngdòng.
  • English: Just having the desire to become rich is not enough; you also need to take action.
  • Analysis: This shows `致富` as an abstract concept or desire (`致富的愿望` - the wish to become rich).
• Example 7:
  • 政府出台了很多帮助农民致富的政策。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ chūtáile hěnduō bāngzhù nóngmín zhìfù de zhèngcè.
  • English: The government has introduced many policies to help farmers get rich.
  • Analysis: A classic example of `致富` used in the context of government policy and poverty alleviation.
• Example 8:
  • 在这个时代，依靠知识致富比以往任何时候都更有可能。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhège shídài, yīkào zhīshì zhìfù bǐ yǐwǎng rènhé shíhòu dōu gèng yǒu kěnéng.
  • English: In this era, it's more possible than ever to get rich by relying on knowledge.
  • Analysis: `知识致富` (zhīshì zhìfù) is a modern concept emphasizing the value of education and intellectual capital in the new economy.
• Example 9:
  • 有些人为了致富不择手段，最终走上了犯罪的道路。
  • Pinyin: Yǒuxiē rén wèile zhìfù bùzéshǒuduàn, zuìzhōng zǒushàngle fànzuì de dàolù.
  • English: Some people, in order to get rich, will stop at nothing and ultimately walk the path of crime.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows that the pursuit of `致富` can also be depicted negatively if the methods used are unethical or illegal.
• Example 10:
  • 他的致富之路充满了艰辛和挑战。
  • Pinyin: Tā de zhìfù zhī lù chōngmǎnle jiānxīn hé tiǎozhàn.
  • English: His road to riches was full of hardship and challenges.
  • Analysis: `致富之路` (zhìfù zhī lù) - “the road to wealth” - is a common metaphor that reinforces the idea of `致富` as a long journey.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 致富 (zhìfù) and 发财 (fācái). Both mean “to get rich,” but they are not interchangeable.

• 致富 (zhìfù):
  • Tone: Formal, aspirational, respectable.
  • Process: Implies a process, a journey, building wealth over time through effort, skill, or business.
  • Usage: Used in discussions of economy, policy, life goals, and legitimate business success.
  • Example: She studied finance, invested wisely, and worked for 20 years to 致富. (Correct)
• 发财 (fācái):
  • Tone: Colloquial, common, sometimes materialistic.
  • Process: Often implies getting rich suddenly, by luck, or through a one-off event.
  • Usage: Used in everyday speech, for wishing someone good fortune (e.g., the New Year's greeting `恭喜发财` - Gōngxǐ fācái), or talking about winning the lottery.
  • Example: I hope I win the lottery and 发财! (Correct)

Common Mistake:

• Incorrect: 我希望中彩票然后致富。 (Wǒ xīwàng zhòng cǎipiào ránhòu zhìfù.)
• Reason: Winning the lottery is a sudden event based on pure luck. It's not a process of building wealth. The correct and natural word here is `发财 (fācái)`.
• Correct: 我希望中彩票然后发财。 (Wǒ xīwàng zhòng cǎipiào ránhòu fācái.)

• 发财 (fācái) - The colloquial counterpart to `致富`, often implying sudden or lucky wealth. The most important term to distinguish from `致富`.
• 财富 (cáifù) - (Noun) “Wealth,” “fortune.” `致富` is the verb (the process), and `财富` is the noun (the result).
• 富裕 (fùyù) - (Adjective) “Prosperous,” “well-off.” Describes the state of a person, family, or region that has successfully `致富`.
• 小康 (xiǎokāng) - “A moderately prosperous society.” A key socio-economic goal in China, representing a comfortable standard of living that is a step below being truly `富裕`.
• 勤劳 (qínláo) - “Hardworking,” “diligent.” Very often paired with `致富` to form the respected concept of `勤劳致富`.
• 创业 (chuàngyè) - “To start a business,” “entrepreneurship.” Seen as a primary modern pathway to `致富`.
• 改革开放 (gǎigé kāifàng) - “Reform and Opening Up.” The historical policy period that made the pursuit of `致富` a celebrated national goal.
• 土豪 (tǔháo) - (Slang/Pejorative) “Nouveau riche.” Describes someone who has become rich (`发财` or `致富`) but is seen as uncultured, flashy, and lacking in taste.