什么是沉没成本：中英双语解读

中文版

沉没成本，简单来说，是指已经发生并且无法回收的成本。这些成本通常是过去做出的决策或投资的结果，即使现在的情况已经改变，也无法改变这些成本。沉没成本可能涉及金钱、时间、精力或其他资源的投入。

在商业决策中，沉没成本经常导致人们难以做出明智的决策。这是因为人们往往过于关注已经投入的成本，而不愿意承认这些成本已经无法回收。这可能导致继续投资于不盈利的项目，或者错过更好的机会，因为担心浪费了之前的投入。

为了避免沉没成本陷阱，决策者需要明确区分已经发生的成本和未来的潜在成本。他们应该专注于未来的收益和成本，而不是被过去的沉没成本所束缚。只有这样，才能做出基于现实情况的明智决策。

英文版

What Are Sunken Costs? A Comparative Reading in Chinese and English

Chinese Version

Sunken costs, put simply, refer to costs that have already occurred and cannot be recovered. These costs are usually the result of past decisions or investments, and even if the current situation has changed, these costs cannot be altered. Sunken costs may involve the investment of money, time, energy, or other resources.

In business decisions, sunken costs often make it difficult for people to make wise decisions. This is because people tend to focus too much on the costs that have already been invested and are unwilling to acknowledge that these costs cannot be recovered. This may lead to continued investment in unprofitable projects or missed opportunities due to concerns about wasting previous investments.

To avoid the sunken cost trap, decision-makers need to clearly distinguish between costs that have already occurred and potential future costs. They should focus on future benefits and costs instead of being constrained by past sunken costs. Only by doing so can they make wise decisions based on realistic situations.

English Version

What Are Sunken Costs?

Sunken costs refer to expenses that have already been incurred and cannot be recovered. These costs are typically the result of past decisions or investments, and their irreversibility means they cannot be changed regardless of current circumstances. Sunken costs can encompass a range of financial, time, energy, and other resource investments.

In the context of business decisions, sunken costs often pose a significant obstacle to making rational choices. This is because individuals and organizations often become overly fixated on the costs they have already incurred, reluctant to acknowledge that these funds are lost. This mindset can lead to continued investment in unprofitable projects or the reluctance to pursue more lucrative opportunities out of fear of wasting previous investments.

To navigate the complexities of sunken costs, decision-makers must区分 clearly between past expenses and potential future costs. They should instead focus on projected future benefits and costs, rather than being tied down by sunken costs of the past. By doing so, they can make informed decisions based on current realities, avoiding the pitfalls of sunken cost fallacy.