yuèxīn: 月薪 - Monthly Salary

• Keywords: yuexin, 月薪, monthly salary in China, Chinese salary, wages in China, Chinese pay, how to say salary in Chinese, Chinese business vocabulary, HSK 4, learn Chinese, Chinese work culture
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 月薪 (yuèxīn), the standard way to say “monthly salary.” This comprehensive guide explores its meaning, cultural significance in China's job market, and how to use it in everyday conversation. Understand the crucial difference between a Chinese 月薪 and a Western annual salary, and see practical examples to boost your Chinese vocabulary for business and daily life.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yuèxīn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A fixed salary paid to an employee on a monthly basis.
• In a Nutshell: 月薪 (yuèxīn) is the default term for “salary” in modern China. While Westerners often think of their income as an annual figure (e.g., “$60,000 a year”), the standard in China is to discuss, negotiate, and compare salaries based on the monthly amount. It's the key number you'll talk about during job interviews, when chatting with friends about work, or when figuring out your budget.

• 月 (yuè): This character means “month” or “moon.” It's one of the most basic characters, originating from a pictograph of a crescent moon.
• 薪 (xīn): This character means “salary” or, more anciently, “firewood/fuel.” The top part `艹` is the “grass” radical, and the bottom part `新` (xīn - new) provides the sound. In ancient times, resources like firewood were essential for survival and could be a form of payment.
• Together: 月薪 (yuèxīn) literally translates to “monthly firewood” or “monthly fuel.” This beautifully illustrates the concept of a salary as the essential resource you receive each month to fuel your life.

In China, the concept of 月薪 is more than just a number; it's a primary indicator of one's professional standing, capabilities, and social status. The most significant cultural difference lies in the Monthly vs. Annual Framework. In the United States and many Western countries, salaries for professional jobs