portfolio
Definitions
A flat case for carrying loose sheets of paper or documents
文件夹，公文包（装散页文件的扁夹子）
A collection of a person's work, used to show their skills
作品集（展示个人技能的成果集合）
The group of investments held by a person or institution
投资组合（个人或机构持有的全部投资）
The duties and responsibilities of a government minister
（部长的）职务，职责范围
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Italian portafoglio: porta (carry, from Latin portāre) + foglio (leaf/sheet of paper, from Latin folium). Literally 'carry-the-sheets' — a flat case for loose papers. From that physical object the meaning fanned out: a collection of work you carry to show (design portfolio), the set of investments you hold (financial portfolio), and a minister's bundle of duties (political portfolio). Every sense keeps the image of a curated set of 'leaves' that you carry and answer for.
Root port still carries 95 more wordsWhy It Means This
Portfolio entered English from Italian portafoglio, made of porta (carry) and foglio (sheet of paper). It first named a literal case for loose documents. Then it broadened by metaphor: in the arts, the case of sample sheets became 'a collection of one's best work'; in finance, the bundle of holdings became 'a set of investments'; in politics, the case of official papers that came with an office became 'a minister's area of responsibility.' This is why 'a minister without portfolio' is a real phrase — a cabinet member with rank but no specific department.
Common Collocations
- 1.investment portfolio投资组合
- 2.design portfolio设计作品集
- 3.minister without portfolio无任所部长
- 4.diversify a portfolio分散投资组合
- 5.build a portfolio建立作品集
Example Sentences
- 1.
She brought her design portfolio to the job interview.
- 2.
A well-diversified portfolio reduces investment risk.
- 3.
The minister was given the education portfolio.
- 4.
He serves as a minister without portfolio in the new cabinet.