共稼ぎ

• Reading: ともかせぎ
• Romaji: tomokasegi
• Kanji breakdown: 共 (tomo/kyō) — together, mutual, shared; 稼 (ka/kase) — earn, work for money
• Pronunciation: /to.mo.ka.se.ɡi/

Meaning

Dual income; both spouses working. Describes a household where husband and wife both earn money.

A noun describing a household arrangement where both partners work and earn income. Synonymous with 共働き (tomobataraki) but slightly more focused on the financial aspect of earning (稼ぐ = to earn money). Common in discussions about family economics, lifestyle choices, and social trends — 共稼ぎの家庭 (a dual-income household). Functions as a no-adjective before nouns. Reflects the increasing norm of two-income families in modern Japan.

Examples

1. 共稼ぎでないと住宅ローンが払えない。 We can't pay the mortgage unless both of us are working.
2. 共稼ぎの家庭では家事の分担が大切だ。 In dual-income households, sharing chores is important.
3. 最近は共稼ぎの夫婦が増えている。 More and more couples are both working these days.

Usage Guide

Context: family, economics, social discussion

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From native Japanese: 共 (tomo, together/mutual) + 稼ぎ (kasegi, earning/working for money), the noun form of 稼ぐ (kasegu, to earn). The compound directly expresses the concept of earning together.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal