私营

私营 refers to the private sector, meaning businesses or organizations owned and operated by individuals or groups rather than the government. It is often contrasted with the public sector, which is government-controlled.

The character 私 (sī) means 'private' or 'personal,' while 营 (yíng) originally meant 'to manage' or 'to run.' Together, they form a term that describes privately owned enterprises or operations.

Privately owned companies are common in many economies, including China's. Understanding the concept of 私营 helps learners grasp the distinction between state-run and privately run entities, which is important in both business and political contexts.