为生

為生

wéishēng

verb #7,856

Meanings

1 to make a living (by)
2 to earn one's livelihood

Characters

to be; to act as

life; livelihood

Examples

他以打鱼为生。

Tā yǐ dǎyú wéishēng.

He makes a living by fishing.

她靠卖画为生。

Tā kào mài huà wéishēng.

She earns her living by selling paintings.

在那个年代，很多人以种地为生。

Zài nàge niándài, hěn duō rén yǐ zhòngdì wéishēng.

In those days, many people made a living by farming.

Tips

grammar

Always used in the pattern 以...为生 (yǐ...wéishēng) or 靠...为生 (kào...wéishēng), meaning 'to make a living by doing X'.

Stroke Order

为 wèi

生 shēng