bàijīn: 拜金 - Materialistic, Money-Worshipping

• Keywords: baijin, 拜金, meaning of baijin, Chinese for materialistic, money-worshipping, gold digger in Chinese, baijinnü, 拜金女, Chinese values, modern Chinese slang, Chinese social commentary.
• Summary: Learn the powerful Chinese term bàijīn (拜金), which literally translates to “worship money.” This entry explores its deep cultural meaning, far stronger than the English “materialistic,” and its common usage as a critique of people or trends that prioritize wealth above all else. Understand why it's a key term in discussions about modern Chinese society, dating, and the clash between traditional and modern values.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bàijīn
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To be materialistic; to worship money and prioritize financial gain over all other values like love, integrity, and happiness.
• In a Nutshell: 拜金 (bàijīn) is a strong, negative term used to describe a person, attitude, or behavior that is completely obsessed with money. It's not just about enjoying wealth or wanting a comfortable life; it's about making money the ultimate goal and the primary measure of a person's worth. The feeling is one of moral judgment, suggesting that someone has shallow and corrupt values.

• 拜 (bài): To worship, to pay respects, to bow down before. This is the same character used in words like 拜佛 (bàifó - to worship Buddha) or 拜年 (bàinián - to pay New Year's respects). It implies a deep sense of reverence and submission.
• 金 (jīn): Gold, money, wealth. This character is fundamental to many financial terms, such as 现金 (xiànjīn - cash) and 金融 (jīnróng - finance).
• Together, 拜金 (bàijīn) creates a vivid and powerful image: someone literally bowing down and worshipping money as if it were a god. This “worship” element is what makes the term so much more intense than its English counterparts.

• 拜金 (bàijīn) became a prominent term in China following the economic reforms of the 1980s and 90s. As the country rapidly shifted from a collectivist society to a market economy, immense wealth was created, leading to a rise in consumerism and a visible wealth gap. This created a social tension between traditional values (which might emphasize scholarship, family, or moral character) and a new, more materialistic outlook. The term 拜金 is often used in social commentary to critique this perceived erosion of traditional values.
• Comparison to “Materialistic” or “Gold Digger”:

While “materialistic” is a close translation, 拜金 (bàijīn) carries a much stronger sense of moral condemnation. “Materialistic” can sometimes be a neutral descriptor of a consumer-focused lifestyle, but 拜金 is almost always an insult. It implies a person's entire value system is corrupt. The English term “gold digger” is a very close parallel, especially for the specific term 拜金女 (bàijīnnǚ - “money-worshipping woman”). Both terms typically describe someone who enters a relationship purely for financial gain. However, 拜金 can be applied more broadly to a general philosophy of life, not just romantic relationships.

• 拜金 is a common term in everyday conversation, on social media, and in media like TV dramas. It is almost always used with a strong negative connotation.
• Describing People: It's often used as a label to criticize someone's choices, especially in dating and marriage. If someone breaks up with a poor partner to be with a rich one, they will almost certainly be called 拜金.
  • e.g., “她太拜金了, 只关心他有没有钱。” (She's too materialistic, she only cares if he has money.)
• Social Commentary: The term is also used to describe a societal phenomenon or trend, often with a sense of disappointment.
  • e.g., “现在的社会风气越来越拜金。” (The current social atmosphere is becoming more and more money-worshipping.)
• Formality: The term is informal and is most often used in personal conversations or opinion pieces rather than in formal academic or business writing.

• Example 1:
  • 我不喜欢她，因为她太拜金了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bù xǐhuān tā, yīnwèi tā tài bàijīn le.
  • English: I don't like her because she's too materialistic.
  • Analysis: A direct and common way to label someone. The use of 太 (tài - too) emphasizes the speaker's negative judgment.
• Example 2:
  • 他的人生观就是拜金主义，认为钱可以解决所有问题。
  • Pinyin: Tā de rénshēngguān jiùshì bàijīnzhǔyì, rènwéi qián kěyǐ jiějué suǒyǒu wèntí.
  • English: His philosophy of life is materialism; he thinks money can solve all problems.
  • Analysis: This example uses the noun form 拜金主义 (bàijīnzhǔyì - materialism as an '-ism') to describe a person's entire worldview.
• Example 3:
  • 很多人批评她是一个只看重钱的拜金女。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō rén pīpíng tā shì yí ge zhǐ kànzhòng qián de bàijīnnǚ.
  • English: A lot of people criticize her for being a gold digger who only values money.
  • Analysis: This sentence features the very common collocation 拜金女 (bàijīnnǚ), which is the direct equivalent of “gold digger.”
• Example 4:
  • 难道在你的眼里，爱情还不如金钱重要吗？你别这么拜金好不好？
  • Pinyin: Nándào zài nǐ de yǎnlǐ, àiqíng hái bùrú jīnqián zhòngyào ma? Nǐ bié zhème bàijīn hǎo bu hǎo?
  • English: You mean to say that in your eyes, love isn't as important as money? Could you please not be so materialistic?
  • Analysis: This rhetorical question highlights the core conflict implied by 拜金: the choice between money and other, non-material values like love.
• Example 5:
  • 这部电视剧反映了当代社会一些年轻人的拜金思想。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànshìjù fǎnyìngle dāngdài shèhuì yìxiē niánqīngrén de bàijīn sīxiǎng.
  • English: This TV drama reflects the materialistic thinking of some young people in contemporary society.
  • Analysis: Shows how the term is used in media and social analysis to describe a trend or mindset (思想 - sīxiǎng).
• Example 6:
  • 我宁愿单身，也不愿意和一个拜金的人结婚。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ nìngyuàn dānshēn, yě bù yuànyì hé yí ge bàijīn de rén jiéhūn.
  • English: I would rather be single than marry a materialistic person.
  • Analysis: A clear statement of personal values, positioning 拜金 as a highly undesirable trait in a partner.
• Example 7:
  • 他的择偶标准很简单，只要对方不拜金就行。
  • Pinyin: Tā de zé'ǒu biāozhǔn hěn jiǎndān, zhǐyào duìfāng bù bàijīn jiù xíng.
  • English: His standard for choosing a spouse is very simple: it's fine as long as the other person isn't a gold digger.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the negative form, 不拜金 (bù bàijīn), as a positive or necessary trait.
• Example 8:
  • 在一个拜金的社会里，我们更应该坚守自己的原则。
  • Pinyin: Zài yí ge bàijīn de shèhuì lǐ, wǒmen gèng yīnggāi jiānshǒu zìjǐ de yuánzé.
  • English: In a money-worshipping society, we should stick to our own principles even more.
  • Analysis: Here, 拜金 describes the entire society, providing a backdrop against which individuals must define their own morals.
• Example 9:
  • 他总是炫耀自己的名牌包和豪车，充满了拜金的气息。
  • Pinyin: Tā zǒngshì xuànyào zìjǐ de míngpái bāo hé háochē, chōngmǎnle bàijīn de qìxī.
  • English: He's always showing off his designer bags and luxury cars, full of a money-worshipping vibe.
  • Analysis: This example connects the concept of 拜金 to the behavior of showing off wealth (炫耀 - xuànyào). 气息 (qìxī) means “air” or “atmosphere,” creating a sense of a “materialistic aura.”
• Example 10:
  • 为了钱而出卖朋友，这种拜金的行为实在令人不齿。
  • Pinyin: Wèile qián ér chūmài péngyou, zhè zhǒng bàijīn de xíngwéi shízài lìng rén bùchǐ.
  • English: Betraying a friend for money, this kind of materialistic behavior is truly despicable.
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly links a 拜金 mindset to unethical actions (行为 - xíngwéi), solidifying its strong negative connotation.

• Mistake 1: Confusing “拜金 (bàijīn)” with wanting financial stability.

It's a common mistake for learners to label anyone who cares about money as 拜金. However, wanting a stable job, a house, and a comfortable life is considered normal and practical (现实 - xiànshí). 拜金 is an extreme. It's when money becomes the *only* thing that matters, overriding morality, love, and friendship.

• Incorrect: “我想找个有钱的男朋友，我是不是太拜金了？” (I want to find a rich boyfriend, am I too materialistic?) - This sounds overly self-critical. A Chinese speaker would more likely frame this as being “practical” (现实).
• Correct Context: “我不管他的人品怎么样，只要他有钱就行。我是不是很拜金？” (I don't care what his character is like, as long as he has money. Am I very materialistic?) - This is a clear example of 拜金 thinking.
• Mistake 2: Using “拜金” in a neutral or positive way.

拜金 is an insult. You would not use it to describe your own ambition in a positive light.

• Incorrect: “我的目标就是拜金，我要努力赚钱！” (My goal is to be a money-worshipper, I'm going to work hard to make money!)
• Why it's wrong: This sounds like you are proudly declaring that you have no morals. If you want to say you are ambitious about making money, you would say something like “我的目标是实现财富自由” (My goal is to achieve financial freedom).

• 拜金女 (bàijīnnǚ) - A “gold-digging woman.” This is the most common specific application of the term.
• 拜金主义 (bàijīnzhǔyì) - Materialism as an ideology or philosophy. A more formal and abstract term.
• 物质 (wùzhì) - Literally “material” or “substance.” When used to describe a person (e.g., 她很物质), it means “she is materialistic.” It is a very close synonym for 拜金 but can sometimes be slightly less harsh.
• 现实 (xiànshí) - Realistic, practical. This is a much more neutral term. Being 现实 might mean choosing a partner with a stable job, whereas being 拜金 means choosing a partner *only* because they are rich.
• 虚荣 (xūróng) - Vain, vanity. This is related but focuses more on social status, appearance, and “face” (面子) rather than just money. A 虚荣 person wants to be admired, while a 拜金 person just wants to be rich.
• 土豪 (tǔháo) - “Nouveau riche.” A popular slang term for people who have a lot of money but are perceived as lacking taste or culture. A 土豪 is often the target of a 拜金女.
• 高富帅 (gāofùshuài) - “Tall, Rich, and Handsome.” The stereotypical ideal man that a 拜金 woman is said to pursue.
• 爱财 (àicái) - To love money. This is a more neutral and literal description than 拜金. Everyone can be a little 爱财, but not everyone is 拜金.