zhèngqián: 挣钱 - To Earn Money, To Make Money

zhèngqián: 挣钱 - To Earn Money, To Make Money

Quick Summary

Keywords: zhengqian meaning, earn money in Chinese, how to say make money in Chinese, 挣钱 vs 赚钱, zhengqian pinyin, Chinese verb for work, Chinese word for hustle, HSK 3 vocabulary
Summary: Discover the essential Chinese verb 挣钱 (zhèngqián), the most common way to say “to earn money” or “to make a living.” This guide explores its core meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China. Learn the crucial difference between 挣钱 (zhèngqián) and its close relative 赚钱 (zhuànqián), and see how it reflects a cultural emphasis on hard work and effort. This page provides clear explanations and numerous example sentences to help you master this fundamental term.

Core Meaning

Pinyin (with tone marks): zhèngqián
Part of Speech: Verb-Object Compound (Verb: 挣, Object: 钱)
HSK Level: HSK 3
Concise Definition: To earn money, typically through one's labor, work, or effort.
In a Nutshell: 挣钱 (zhèngqián) is the “get your hands dirty” way of talking about earning money. It’s not about windfalls, investments, or lottery wins; it's about the money you get from your job, your work, your hustle. The term carries a strong sense of effort and struggle, reflecting the physical or mental energy exchanged for a wage or salary. It's the word for the daily grind of earning a living.

Character Breakdown

挣 (zhèng): This character is a combination of two parts. On the left is the “hand” radical (扌), indicating an action done with the hands. On the right is 争 (zhēng), which means “to struggle” or “to contend.” Together, 挣 vividly means “to struggle for with one's hands,” implying effort and striving.
钱 (qián): This character means “money.” The radical on the left (钅) is the “metal” radical, historically linking currency to precious metals.
The characters combine to form a literal and powerful meaning: “to struggle for money.” This image is central to understanding the term's connotation of hard work.

Cultural Context and Significance

In Chinese culture, hard work (辛苦, xīnkǔ) and striving (奋斗, fèndòu) are deeply respected values. 挣钱 (zhèngqián) is the verb that most directly embodies this ethos. It's not just a financial transaction; it's a reflection of one's diligence, responsibility, and contribution to the family. The act of 挣钱 to support one's parents and children (养家, yǎngjiā) is a cornerstone of filial piety and social duty.
Comparison to Western Concepts: While “earn money” is a close equivalent, 挣钱 (zhèngqián) has a stronger undertone of physical or mental toil than the generic English phrase “make money.” An American might say they “make money” from stocks, which sounds relatively passive. In Chinese, that would almost always be 赚钱 (zhuànqián). In contrast, 挣钱 (zhèngqián) is closer in spirit to “earning a living,” “working for a wage,” or even the modern slang “hustling.” It’s grounded in the reality of labor, not the abstraction of financial gain. It acknowledges the effort, not just the result.

Practical Usage in Modern China

挣钱 (zhèngqián) is the default, everyday term for earning money from a job. It's used in informal and neutral contexts, from chatting with friends about salaries to discussing family finances.
Common Usage:
- Asking someone about their salary: “你一个月挣多少钱?” (Nǐ yīgè yuè zhèng duōshǎo qián?) - “How much money do you earn a month?”
- Describing the difficulty of making a living: “挣钱不容易啊!” (Zhèngqián bù róngyì a!) - “Earning money isn't easy!”
- Stating one's purpose for working: “我得挣钱养家.” (Wǒ děi zhèngqián yǎngjiā.) - “I have to earn money to support my family.”
It's a neutral term, but the context can imply hardship or pride in one's hard work. It is rarely, if ever, used in a glamorous or boastful way.

Example Sentences

Example 1:
- 他来大城市就是为了挣钱。
- Pinyin: Tā lái dà chéngshì jiùshì wèile zhèngqián.
- English: He came to the big city just to earn money.
- Analysis: This is a classic sentence describing the motivation of migrant workers. It's simple, direct, and highlights the fundamental goal of work.
Example 2:
- 现在挣钱越来越难了。
- Pinyin: Xiànzài zhèngqián yuèláiyuè nán le.
- English: Nowadays, earning money is getting harder and harder.
- Analysis: A common sentiment. The phrase `越来越 (yuèláiyuè)` means “more and more,” used here to express a growing difficulty.
Example 3:
- 你一个月能挣多少钱？
- Pinyin: Nǐ yīgè yuè néng zhèng duōshǎo qián?
- English: How much money can you earn in a month?
- Analysis: This is a very direct and common way to ask about someone's salary. Note how 挣 and 钱 can be separated by other words, as it's a verb-object compound.
Example 4:
- 为了挣钱给他交学费，他的父母非常辛苦。
- Pinyin: Wèile zhèngqián gěi tā jiāo xuéfèi, tā de fùmǔ fēicháng xīnkǔ.
- English: In order to earn money to pay for his tuition, his parents work very hard.
- Analysis: This sentence connects 挣钱 directly to the cultural value of family sacrifice and the concept of `辛苦 (xīnkǔ)`, meaning “hard/toilsome.”
Example 5:
- 她挣的钱虽然不多，但是工作很开心。
- Pinyin: Tā zhèng de qián suīrán bù duō, dànshì gōngzuò hěn kāixīn.
- English: Although the money she earns isn't much, she is very happy with her work.
- Analysis: The structure `挣的钱 (zhèng de qián)` means “the money that (is) earned.” The `的 (de)` turns the verb phrase into a noun phrase.
Example 6:
- 我想找个兼职，多挣点儿钱。
- Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng zhǎo ge jiānzhí, duō zhèng diǎnr qián.
- English: I want to find a part-time job to earn a little more money.
- Analysis: `多挣点儿钱 (duō zhèng diǎnr qián)` is a very colloquial phrase for “earn a bit more money.”
Example 7:
- 他很会挣钱，年纪轻轻就自己买了房。
- Pinyin: Tā hěn huì zhèngqián, niánjì qīngqīng jiù zìjǐ mǎile fáng.
- English: He is very good at earning money; he bought a house by himself at a young age.
- Analysis: `会挣钱 (huì zhèngqián)` means “to be capable of earning money” or “knows how to earn money.” It's a compliment about someone's ability and work ethic.
Example 8:
- 只要能挣钱，什么苦活他都愿意干。
- Pinyin: Zhǐyào néng zhèngqián, shénme kǔ huó tā dōu yuànyì gàn.
- English: As long as he can earn money, he's willing to do any kind of hard work.
- Analysis: This emphasizes the “struggle” aspect. `苦活 (kǔ huó)` means “bitter/hard labor,” a perfect match for the feeling of 挣钱.
Example 9:
- 别看他是个学生，他靠写代码挣了不少钱。
- Pinyin: Bié kàn tā shì ge xuéshēng, tā kào xiě dàimǎ zhèngle bù shǎo qián.
- English: Don't just see him as a student; he has earned quite a bit of money by writing code.
- Analysis: `靠 (kào)` means “to rely on” or “by means of.” This structure is used to specify *how* someone earns money. `不少 (bù shǎo)` means “not a little,” a common way of saying “a lot.”
Example 10:
- 他挣钱挣得比我多。
- Pinyin: Tā zhèngqián zhèng de bǐ wǒ duō.
- English: He earns more money than I do.
- Analysis: This sentence uses a verb-repetition structure (`V + O + V + 得 + complement`) to describe the degree of an action. It literally means “He earns money to the degree that it's more than me.” This is a key grammar point for intermediate learners.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 挣钱 (zhèngqián) and 赚钱 (zhuànqián). They can sometimes be used interchangeably, but there is a clear difference in emphasis.
挣钱 (zhèngqián): To Earn through Labor
- Focus: Effort, labor, salary, wages. Trading time and work for money.
- Example: 我每天努力工作来挣钱。 (Wǒ měitiān nǔlì gōngzuò lái zhèngqián.) - I work hard every day to earn money. (Focus is on the work).
赚钱 (zhuànqián): To Make a Profit / To Make Money
- Focus: Financial gain, profit, net increase in wealth. Can be from a job, but also from business, investments, etc.
- Example: 他靠投资股票赚了很多钱。 (Tā kào tóuzī gǔpiào zhuànle hěn duō qián.) - He made a lot of money by investing in stocks. (Focus is on the profit).
Common Mistake: Using 挣钱 for business profits.
- Incorrect: 那个公司去年挣了一百万。 (Nàge gōngsī qùnián zhèngle yībǎi wàn.)
- Correct: 那个公司去年赚了一百万。 (Nàge gōngsī qùnián zhuànle yībǎi wàn.) - That company made a profit of one million last year.
- Why it's wrong: Companies don't “struggle with their hands” for money in the same way an individual does. They generate profit (赚). 挣钱 is almost always used for individuals earning a wage.

Related Terms and Concepts

赚钱 (zhuànqián) - A close synonym, but one that emphasizes profit and financial gain rather than the labor itself. The most important related term to understand.
打工 (dǎgōng) - To work a job, especially for someone else. This is the action one does to 挣钱.
工资 (gōngzī) - Salary, wage. This is the tangible result of 挣钱.
收入 (shōurù) - Income. A more formal and broader term that includes salary, investments, and other sources.
养家 (yǎngjiā) - To raise/support a family. Often the primary motivation for 挣钱.
奋斗 (fèndòu) - To strive, to struggle. This noun/verb captures the spirit and effort often associated with 挣钱.
辛苦 (xīnkǔ) - Hard, toilsome, laborious. An adjective frequently used to describe the process of 挣钱.
发财 (fācái) - To get rich, to become wealthy. This is a much bigger goal than simply 挣钱 for a living.

Table of Contents

zhèngqián: 挣钱 - To Earn Money, To Make Money

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

Cultural Context and Significance

Practical Usage in Modern China

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes

Related Terms and Concepts