市值 (shì zhí) literally combines 市 (shì), meaning 'market', and 值 (zhí), meaning 'value' or 'worth'. Together, it refers to the total market value of a company’s outstanding shares — calculated by multiplying the current share price by the total number of shares issued. It is a key financial metric used in business, investing, and economic reporting.

This term appears frequently in Chinese financial news, stock market analyses, and corporate disclosures. Unlike book value (账面价值), which reflects accounting figures, 市值 reflects investor sentiment and market conditions. It is commonly used when comparing companies, assessing market position, or discussing mergers and acquisitions. While primarily applied to publicly traded companies, it may also refer to the estimated market value of major assets like real estate developments or tech platforms within broader economic contexts.