The characters combine to form `打工 (dǎgōng)`, which means “to work part-time” or “to work for others” (as opposed to owning your own business). Adding `人 (rén)` turns it into “the person who works for others.” While `打工` traditionally referred to manual or temporary labor, the modern term `打工人` has expanded to encompass nearly all forms of employment, especially office work.
`打工人` exploded in popularity on Chinese social media around 2020. It represents a significant cultural shift from the aspirational, “anything is possible” narratives of the 2010s to a more grounded, realistic, and collective mindset. Its rise is a direct response to immense workplace pressures in modern China, epitomized by concepts like `996` (working 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week) and `内卷 (nèijuǎn)` (“involution,” or a zero-sum rat race for diminishing returns). Instead of chasing the elusive dream of becoming a `老板 (lǎobǎn - boss)`, many young people have embraced the `打工人` identity. It's a way to find dignity and humor in the struggle. This contrasts with the Western concept of “the hustle” or “hustle culture,” which often emphasizes individual ambition and glorifies overwork for personal gain. `打工人`, while acknowledging hard work, is less about “getting ahead” and more about “getting by” with a sense of shared community. It's a collective sigh and a pat on the back all in one. It rejects the overly optimistic, top-down narrative of `后浪 (hòulàng - the next wave)` and instead creates a grassroots identity from the bottom up.
`打工人` is almost exclusively informal and is a staple of digital communication.