Chinese word

谋生

Pronunciation

Pinyinmóu shēng

Meaning

  • verbmake a living

Example

为了谋生，他每天打两份工。wèi le móu shēng tā měi tiān dǎ liǎng fèn gōng

To make a living, he works two jobs every day.

Illustration for 谋生 (make a living)

More examples

农村很多人靠劳动谋生，一年四季都很忙。nóng cūn hěn duō rén kào láo dòng móu shēng yì nián sì jì dōu hěn máng

Many people in rural areas make a living through labor and are busy all year round.

Core concept

Someone keeps daily life going by finding work or another workable way to earn income.

Common phrases

  • 以打工谋生yǐ dǎ gōng móu shēng

    make a living by working for wages

  • 靠劳动谋生kào láo dòng móu shēng

    make a living through labor

Similar words

赚钱zhuàn qián: Make money through work or business, often with profit or increased income as the goal.
挣钱zhèng qián: Earn money through labor or a job to receive pay.
维持生计wéi chí shēng jì: Keep daily life going by maintaining the income or practical means needed for living.
养家yǎng jiā: Work and earn income to provide for the needs of a family.

Definition in Chinese

为获得维持生计的收入而从事工作或采取办法。wèi huò dé wéi chí shēng jì de shōu rù ér cóng shì gōng zuò huò cái qǔ bàn fǎ

Word origin

谋生 (móushēng, "make a living") combines 谋 (móu, "devise a way") and 生 (shēng, "life"), presenting livelihood as something secured through practical means.

Usage tips

  • Unlike career language, this verb often focuses on livelihood as a practical necessity rather than on status, ambition, or a chosen profession.

Other meanings

  • make moneyverb
  • scrape byverb

Word lists with this word