Passive income
Meaning: Money earned with minimal ongoing effort, such as from investments, royalties, or automated businesses.
'Passive income' is the holy grail of modern American hustle culture — making money while you sleep. Rental income, stock dividends, online courses, and affiliate marketing are popular examples. It's become a buzzword in entrepreneurial and financial independence communities.
Examples
- She set up three passive income streams and retired at 35. 她搭建了三条被动收入渠道,35岁就退休了。Montó tres fuentes de ingresos pasivos y se jubiló a los 35.彼女は3つの不労所得の仕組みを作って、35歳でリタイアした。그녀는 불로소득 채널 3개를 구축하고 35세에 은퇴했어.
- Everyone on YouTube is selling a course about passive income. YouTube上到处都是卖被动收入课程的人。Todo el mundo en YouTube está vendiendo un curso sobre ingresos pasivos.YouTubeで不労所得の講座を売ってる人だらけだよ。유튜브에서 불로소득 강의를 파는 사람이 넘쳐나.
- Real passive income takes years of upfront work to build. 真正的被动收入需要多年的前期投入才能建立起来。Los ingresos pasivos de verdad requieren años de trabajo inicial para construirse.本当の不労所得を築くには、何年もの初期投資が必要なんだ。진정한 불로소득을 만들려면 몇 년간의 초기 노력이 필요해.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: entrepreneurship, investing, social media, financial planning
Tone: aspirational, buzzwordy
✓ Do Say
- I'm building passive income streams.我正在搭建被动收入渠道。Estoy creando fuentes de ingresos pasivos.不労所得の仕組みを作っているところだよ。나는 불로소득 채널을 만들고 있어.
- Passive income is the goal.被动收入是终极目标。Los ingresos pasivos son el objetivo.不労所得が目標だね。불로소득이 목표야.
✗ Don't Say
- Often overhyped — most 'passive income' requires significant upfront work or capital经常被过度吹捧——大多数'被动收入'需要大量的前期投入或资本A menudo sobredimensionado — la mayoría de los 'ingresos pasivos' requieren un trabajo inicial o capital significativos誇大宣伝されがち——ほとんどの「不労所得」は多大な初期労力や資本を必要とする과대 포장되는 경우가 많다 — 대부분의 '불로소득'은 상당한 초기 노력이나 자본이 필요하다
Origin & History
From financial planning terminology. The concept has existed for centuries (landlords, investors), but 'passive income' became a buzzword in the 2010s through financial independence communities, YouTube, and the gig economy.
Cultural Context
Era: 2010s onwards as a buzzword
Generation: Millennials, Gen Z
Social background: Universal
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