shēngjì: 生计 - Livelihood, Means of Subsistence

• Keywords: shengji meaning, 生计 in English, Chinese word for livelihood, means of subsistence Chinese, how to say make a living in Chinese, 生计 vs 生活, shengji vs shenghuo, Chinese economics vocabulary, HSK 5 word
• Summary: Learn the deep meaning of 生计 (shēngjì), a fundamental Chinese term for “livelihood” or “means of subsistence.” This page breaks down its characters, cultural importance, and practical usage. Discover how 生计 is different from “job” or “life” (生活, shēnghuó) and why it represents the essential, often challenging, reality of putting food on the table in Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shēngjì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A person's means of securing the necessities of life; livelihood.
• In a Nutshell: 生计 (shēngjì) isn't just about your “job” or “career.” It's the core, often gritty, reality of how you survive. It refers to the fundamental means—be it farming, a small business, or a factory job—that allows you to pay for food, shelter, and basic needs. The word carries a weight of necessity and practicality, focusing on survival rather than passion or personal fulfillment.

• 生 (shēng): This character means “to live,” “to be born,” or “life.” It represents the very essence of existence.
• 计 (jì): This character means “to plan,” “to calculate,” or “a strategy.” It implies a method or a means to achieve something.

When combined, 生计 (shēngjì) literally translates to the “plan for life” or the “strategy for living.” It powerfully captures the idea that survival requires a plan, a method, and a means to support one's existence.

In Chinese culture, securing a stable 生计 (shēngjì) is traditionally seen as a primary responsibility, not just for oneself but for one's entire family. It reflects a deep-seated pragmatism where the practical needs of the family unit often take precedence over individual aspirations. A useful comparison is to the Western concept of a “career.” A “career” in English often implies a path of personal growth, passion, and advancement. You build a career you love. In contrast, a 生计 is something you have or maintain. You might not love your 生计, but it is essential for survival, and fulfilling this duty is considered honorable. For centuries, the 生计 of most Chinese people was tied to the land. Therefore, the term is deeply connected to concepts of hard work, resilience, and providing for the next generation. While modern China has diversified economically, this foundational respect for the struggle and importance of securing a livelihood remains a core cultural value.

生计 is a somewhat formal and serious term. You'll frequently encounter it in news reports, government documents, and discussions about social and economic issues, especially concerning rural populations, migrant workers, or those affected by economic downturns or natural disasters. In conversation, using 生计 instead of the more common 工作 (gōngzuò - job) adds a layer of seriousness. It implies that the work being discussed is not just a job, but the fundamental pillar supporting a person's or family's entire existence.

• Connotation: Neutral to slightly serious or sympathetic. It often appears in contexts of hardship or struggle (e.g., “losing one's livelihood” - 失去生计).
• Formality: Used in both formal writing and serious conversations.

• Example 1:
  • 很多农民依靠种地来维持生计。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō nóngmín yīkào zhòng dì lái wéichí shēngjì.
  • English: Many farmers rely on farming to maintain their livelihood.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example showing 生计 as the fundamental means of survival for a group of people.
• Example 2:
  • 疫情期间，不少小商贩的生计受到了严重影响。
  • Pinyin: Yìqíng qījiān, bù shǎo xiǎo shāngfàn de shēngjì shòudào le yánzhòng yǐngxiǎng.
  • English: During the pandemic, the livelihoods of many small vendors were severely affected.
  • Analysis: Here, 生计 is used to describe the economic foundation that is being threatened, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
• Example 3:
  • 为了生计，他不得不离开家乡去大城市打工。
  • Pinyin: Wèile shēngjì, tā bùdébù líkāi jiāxiāng qù dà chéngshì dǎgōng.
  • English: For the sake of his livelihood, he had no choice but to leave his hometown to work in the big city.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the necessity and pressure associated with 生计. It's not a choice, but a requirement for survival.
• Example 4:
  • 他失去了工作，现在全家的生计都成了问题。
  • Pinyin: Tā shīqù le gōngzuò, xiànzài quán jiā de shēngjì dōu chéng le wèntí.
  • English: He lost his job, and now the entire family's livelihood has become a problem.
  • Analysis: This shows how 生计 is often tied to the well-being of a family, not just an individual.
• Example 5:
  • 在这个偏远的山区，人们以打猎为生计。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhège piānyuǎn de shānqū, rénmen yǐ dǎliè wéi shēngjì.
  • English: In this remote mountainous area, people make a living by hunting.
  • Analysis: The structure “以…为生计” (yǐ…wéi shēngjì) is a common and slightly formal way to say “to make a living by means of…”.
• Example 6:
  • 政府正在采取措施，帮助失业者解决生计困难。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ zhèngzài cǎiqǔ cuòshī, bāngzhù shīyèzhě jiějué shēngjì kùnnán.
  • English: The government is taking measures to help the unemployed solve their livelihood difficulties.
  • Analysis: This is typical of the formal language used in news or official announcements regarding social welfare.
• Example 7:
  • 父亲辛苦了一辈子，就是为了我们一家的生计。
  • Pinyin: Fùqīn xīnkǔ le yībèizi, jiùshì wèile wǒmen yījiā de shēngjì.
  • English: My father worked hard his whole life just for our family's livelihood.
  • Analysis: This sentence conveys a sense of respect and gratitude for the sacrifice involved in providing for a family's 生计.
• Example 8:
  • 作为一个作家，写作既是他的爱好，也是他的生计。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yīgè zuòjiā, xiězuò jìshì tā de àihào, yěshì tā de shēngjì.
  • English: As a writer, writing is both his hobby and his livelihood.
  • Analysis: This example shows that while 生计 often implies struggle, it can also be something one enjoys, but the term still grounds it in economic reality.
• Example 9:
  • 洪水摧毁了庄稼，断了村民们的生计。
  • Pinyin: Hóngshuǐ cuīhuǐ le zhuāngjia, duàn le cūnmínmen de shēngjì.
  • English: The flood destroyed the crops, cutting off the villagers' livelihood.
  • Analysis: The verb “断了” (duàn le - cut off) is often paired with 生计 to vividly describe a sudden loss of one's means of survival.
• Example 10:
  • 他每个月只有一点固定收入，生计十分艰难。
  • Pinyin: Tā měi ge yuè zhǐyǒu yīdiǎn gùdìng shōurù, shēngjì shífēn jiānnán.
  • English: He only has a small fixed income each month; making a living is extremely difficult.
  • Analysis: This highlights the connection between income (收入) and the quality or difficulty of one's 生计.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 生计 (shēngjì) with 生活 (shēnghuó). They are related but distinct.

• 生计 (shēngjì) - Livelihood: This is the means of living. It's your job, your farm, your craft—the economic activity that supports you. It answers the question, “How do you survive?”
• 生活 (shēnghuó) - Life / Lifestyle: This is the experience of living. It's your quality of life, your daily activities, your happiness, and your overall circumstances. It answers the question, “How is your life?”

Think of it this way: You work hard at your 生计 in order to have a good 生活. Incorrect Usage:

• Wrong: 我在北京的生计很愉快。(Wǒ zài Běijīng de shēngjì hěn yúkuài.) → “My livelihood in Beijing is very pleasant.”
  • Why it's wrong: 生计 is the means, not the experience. You don't describe a means of survival as “pleasant.” You describe the resulting life as pleasant.
  • Correct: 我在北京的生活很愉快。(Wǒ zài Běijīng de shēnghuó hěn yúkuài.) → “My life in Beijing is very pleasant.”

Correct Usage:

• Correct: 他在北京找到了一个稳定的生计。(Tā zài Běijīng zhǎodào le yīgè wěndìng de shēngjì.) → “He found a stable livelihood in Beijing.”
  • Analysis: Here, you are talking about the means of support (the job), which can be described as “stable.”

• 生活 (shēnghuó) - Life, lifestyle. The broader experience of living, which your `生计` supports.
• 工作 (gōngzuò) - Job, work. The most common and neutral term for what you do to earn money. Your `工作` is usually your `生计`.
• 职业 (zhíyè) - Profession, occupation. A more formal term that implies a career path with specialized skills.
• 饭碗 (fànwǎn) - Literally “rice bowl.” A very common and vivid metaphor for one's job or source of income (e.g., “losing your job” is 丢了饭碗 - diūle fànwǎn).
• 谋生 (móushēng) - (Verb) To make a living, to seek a livelihood. It's the action of trying to secure a `生计`.
• 糊口 (húkǒu) - (Verb) Literally “to paste the mouth.” A more colloquial term meaning to scrape by or eke out a meager living.
• 收入 (shōurù) - Income. The money you get from your `生计`.
• 生存 (shēngcún) - To survive; survival. This is the ultimate goal of having a `生计`.
• 养家 (yǎngjiā) - (Verb) To support a family. Often the primary motivation for maintaining a stable `生计`.