牢饭碗 (láofànwǎn): (fig.) a secure job; a stable r…

Measure Word

一个牢饭碗 gè

Meanings

1 (fig.) a secure job; a stable rice bowl
2 lit. a solid rice bowl — much like the more famous 铁饭碗

Characters

Examples

公务员向来被看作牢饭碗。

Gōngwùyuán xiànglái bèi kànzuò láofànwǎn.

Civil service work has always been seen as a rock-solid rice bowl.

这年头，哪还有真正的牢饭碗。

Zhè niántóu, nǎ hái yǒu zhēnzhèng de láofànwǎn.

These days, where is there really a job for life anymore?

Tips

usage

Synonym of the much more common 铁饭碗 ("iron rice bowl"). 牢 here means "solid, firm". Both describe steady, safe employment you won't lose.

Stroke Order

牢 láo

饭 fàn

碗 wǎn

Related Words

金饭碗 jīnfànwǎn

a gold rice bowl (lit.) / a cushy, well-paid job / a secure, lucrative position

铁饭碗 tiěfànwǎn

an iron rice bowl / a secure job for life / unshakeable employment (traditionally in state-owned work units)

饭碗 fànwǎn HSK 7 #7,355

rice bowl / job; livelihood; means of living (figurative)

砸饭碗 záfànwǎn

to lose one's job; to cost someone their livelihood

麦饭 màifàn

barley or wheat rice; coarse grain meal / (historical) peasant staple of unhulled wheat or barley boiled like rice

牢 láo HSK 6 #2,695

prison; jail / pen; enclosure (for livestock) / firm; secure (in compounds)

牢房 láofáng #4,445

prison cell / jail cell

八宝饭 bābǎofàn

Eight Treasures Rice / sweet glutinous rice pudding with eight toppings

糯米饭 nuòmǐfàn

glutinous rice / cooked sticky rice

竹筒饭 zhútǒngfàn

bamboo tube rice / rice cooked in a bamboo tube