赚钱

• Pinyin: zhuàn qián
• Hanzi breakdown: 赚 = 贝 (money) + 兼 (phonetic); 钱 = 钅(metal) + 戋 (phonetic)

Meaning

To make money; to earn money; to profit.

The most common expression for earning money in daily conversation. Can refer to salary income, business profits, or investment returns. Often discussed in terms of ability, methods, or motivation.

Examples

1. 现在年轻人赚钱的方式越来越多样化，不再局限于传统的朝九晚五。 Young people today have increasingly diverse ways of making money, no longer limited to traditional nine-to-five jobs.
2. 他整天想着怎么赚钱，却忽略了陪伴家人的重要性。 He thinks about how to make money all day long, yet neglects the importance of spending time with family.
3. 这家初创公司虽然还没开始赚钱，但估值已经超过了十亿美元。 This startup hasn't started making money yet, but its valuation has already exceeded one billion dollars.

Usage Guide

Context: business, career, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他很会赚钱。(He's good at making money.)
• 赚钱不是生活的全部。(Making money isn't everything in life.)

Don't Say

• 我喜欢赚钱工作。(Awkward — say 我喜欢能赚钱的工作 or 我喜欢工作赚钱)

Origin & History

Verb-object compound of 赚 (to earn) and 钱 (money). A straightforward combination expressing the act of monetary gain.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal