When combined, 兼职 (jiānzhí) literally translates to a “concurrent job” or “simultaneous duty.” This paints a clear picture of someone taking on extra work alongside their main role.
In modern China, 兼职 is a widespread and culturally significant practice, especially for two key groups: students and young urban professionals. For university students, doing a 兼职 is almost a rite of passage. Common part-time jobs include tutoring (家教 jiājiào), working in cafes or restaurants, or being a brand promoter. It's seen not just as a way to earn spending money, but as a crucial step towards independence, gaining social experience (社会经验 shèhuì jīngyàn), and building a resume. For young professionals in competitive cities like Beijing and Shanghai, 兼职 often takes the form of a “side hustle” or what's increasingly called a 副业 (fùyè). This could be anything from freelance design and translation to running an online store or driving for a ride-sharing app. It's driven by a desire to supplement income, pursue a passion, or even test a business idea before quitting a stable “iron rice bowl” (铁饭碗 tiě fànwǎn) job. Comparison with Western Culture: While “part-time job” is a direct translation, the cultural feel can differ. In the West, a “part-time job” can easily be someone's *only* form of employment. In Chinese, 兼职 strongly implies it's in addition to something else. The concept of a “side hustle” in American culture is a very close match in spirit, as both reflect an ambition to do more, earn more, and be more than just one's primary job title.
兼职 is a versatile word used in both formal and informal contexts.
You will see this term everywhere on university bulletin boards, in WeChat groups for job seekers, and on major Chinese recruitment websites like Zhaopin (智联招聘) and 51job. The connotation is generally neutral to positive, suggesting that the person is hardworking and proactive.