HSK · Level 19
135 words
Chinese word
挣钱
Pronunciation
Pinyinzhèng qián
Meaning
- verbmake money
Example
他在外面打工挣钱。tā zài wài miàn dǎ gōng zhèng qián
He works away from home to make money.
More examples
他加班是为了挣钱，不要让家里担心。tā jiā bān shì wèi le zhèng qián bú yào ràng jiā lǐ dān xīn
He works overtime to make money so his family will not worry.
Core concept
Work or effort turns into money that supports daily life or a chosen purpose.
Common phrases
靠挣钱养家kào zhèng qián yǎng jiā
make money to support one's family
想办法挣钱xiǎng bàn fǎ zhèng qián
figure out how to make money
靠挣钱为生kào zhèng qián wéi shēng
live by making money
Similar words
赚钱zhuàn qián: Make money through a job, business, or other activity.
挣zhēng: Earn money through working, selling things, or other effort.
赚zhuàn: Earn money or profit through work, trade, or business.
Definition in Chinese
为生活或目标通过做工或其他劳动获得钱财。wéi shēng huó huò mù biāo tōng guò zuò gōng huò qí tā láo dòng huò dé qián cái
Word origin
The compound 挣 (zhèng, "earn through effort") + 钱 (qián, "money") presents money as the result of active effort.
Usage tips
- English speakers may expect separate wording for wages and business profit, but this verb can cover either without saying that the amount is large.
Other meanings
- make a profitverb
- earn a livingverb
Opposites
- 花钱huā qiánspend moneyverb