B2 Collocation Neutral 3 Min. Lesezeit

generate income

Create revenue

Use it to describe how an activity or investment consistently produces money in a professional way.

In 15 Sekunden

  • A professional way to say 'make money' through a system.
  • Commonly used for businesses, investments, and side projects.
  • Implies a steady or planned flow of cash.

Bedeutung

This phrase describes the process of making money or bringing in profit. It is like turning an idea or an asset into a steady stream of cash.

Wichtige Beispiele

3 von 6
1

Talking about a new hobby

I'm hoping my pottery class will eventually generate income on Etsy.

I'm hoping my pottery class will eventually make money on Etsy.

🤝
2

A formal business meeting

Our primary goal this quarter is to generate income from the new software.

Our main goal is to make money from the new software.

💼
3

Texting a friend about a side gig

My dog-walking gig is actually starting to generate some decent income!

My dog-walking job is making good money!

😊
🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

The phrase gained massive popularity during the 'side hustle' era of the 2010s. It reflects the modern shift from having one job to having multiple ways to make money. In the US and UK, it is often linked to the idea of financial freedom and the 'hustle' culture.

💡

The 'Passive' Secret

Pair it with 'passive' to sound like a financial pro. 'Passive income' is the dream of making money with zero daily effort!

⚠️

Don't use it for 'Salary'

You don't usually say your boss 'generates income' for you. You 'earn a salary'. Use 'generate' for the source or the business itself.

In 15 Sekunden

  • A professional way to say 'make money' through a system.
  • Commonly used for businesses, investments, and side projects.
  • Implies a steady or planned flow of cash.

What It Means

Generate income is a professional yet common way to say you are making money. Think of it like a machine. You put in effort or an investment, and it produces cash. It is not just about a one-time payment. It usually implies a process or a system that keeps the money flowing. Whether it is a side hustle or a massive corporation, the goal is the same.

How To Use It

You use this phrase when talking about the source of money. It is a verb-noun combination. You can say a person, a business, or even an app generates income. It sounds much more sophisticated than just saying 'make money'. Use it when you want to sound like you have a plan. It works perfectly in business plans or when discussing your finances with a partner.

When To Use It

Use it in professional settings like meetings or job interviews. It is great for explaining how a project will pay for itself. You can also use it when talking about investments. For example, 'This rental property will generate income for years.' It is the go-to phrase for entrepreneurs and anyone with a 'side gig'. Even a lemonade stand generates income if the kids are lucky!

When NOT To Use It

Do not use this for small, personal favors. If your friend pays you back for pizza, you did not generate income. That sounds like you are charging them interest! Avoid it in very emotional or casual settings. You would not say your birthday cards generate income. That makes you sound a bit like a robot. Keep it for things that are actually meant to be profitable.

Cultural Background

In Western culture, there is a huge focus on 'passive income'. This means making money while you sleep. People are obsessed with finding ways to generate income without working a 9-to-5 job. This phrase became very popular with the rise of the internet. Everyone wants to know how their blog or social media can generate income. It reflects a culture that values efficiency and financial independence.

Common Variations

You might hear generate revenue or produce a profit. Revenue is usually for big companies. Income feels a bit more personal or small-scale. You can also say create a revenue stream. If you want to be very casual, you just say 'bring in the dough'. But generate income is the perfect middle ground for looking smart without being too stiff.

Nutzungshinweise

This is a neutral-to-formal collocation. It is highly effective in business writing and professional networking, but safe enough for casual conversations about finance.

💡

The 'Passive' Secret

Pair it with 'passive' to sound like a financial pro. 'Passive income' is the dream of making money with zero daily effort!

⚠️

Don't use it for 'Salary'

You don't usually say your boss 'generates income' for you. You 'earn a salary'. Use 'generate' for the source or the business itself.

💬

The Hustle Culture

In the US, people love talking about 'generating income' because it sounds more active and entrepreneurial than just 'working'.

Beispiele

6
#1 Talking about a new hobby
🤝

I'm hoping my pottery class will eventually generate income on Etsy.

I'm hoping my pottery class will eventually make money on Etsy.

Shows the transition from a hobby to a business.

#2 A formal business meeting
💼

Our primary goal this quarter is to generate income from the new software.

Our main goal is to make money from the new software.

Standard professional usage for a corporate goal.

#3 Texting a friend about a side gig
😊

My dog-walking gig is actually starting to generate some decent income!

My dog-walking job is making good money!

Casual but uses the phrase to show success.

#4 A humorous complaint about a pet
😄

I wish my cat could generate income instead of just sleeping all day.

I wish my cat could make money instead of sleeping.

Uses a formal phrase in an absurd context for humor.

#5 Discussing family finances
💭

We need to find a way to generate income while you are back in school.

We need to find a way to make money while you study.

Serious and supportive tone regarding future planning.

#6 An investment pitch
💼

This real estate portfolio is designed to generate income for your retirement.

These properties will make money for your retirement.

Formal and reassuring for a client.

Teste dich selbst

Choose the best word to complete the professional sentence.

The new marketing strategy is expected to ___ significant income by the end of the year.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: generate

`Generate` is the standard verb paired with `income` in business contexts.

Complete the casual thought about a side project.

I love painting, but it doesn't really ___ any income yet.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: generate

Even in casual speech, `generate income` is used to talk about the financial result of an activity.

🎉 Ergebnis: /2

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Formality of Making Money

Slang

Very informal

Stacking paper

Casual

Friends and family

Making some cash

Neutral

General professional/personal

Generate income

Very Formal

Legal or high-finance

Yielding a return on investment

Where to use 'Generate Income'

Generate Income
📱

Business Plan

How will the app generate income?

🏠

Real Estate

Rentals generate monthly income.

💼

Job Interview

I helped my last company generate income.

🎨

Side Hustle

Selling crafts to generate income.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It means to create or produce money through an activity or investment. For example, The shop generates income by selling coffee.

Yes, it is more formal. Making money is general, while generate income often implies a structured way of earning, like a business.

Usually, we say earn a living for a 9-5 job. Use generate income for a business or a specific project you are running.

Not at all! It is neutral. You can say, I'm looking for a way to generate income from my blog to a friend, and it sounds perfectly normal.

Revenue is all the money coming in. Income is often what is left after costs. However, in this phrase, they are often used interchangeably.

Yes! An asset like a house or a stock can generate income for you without you doing much work.

The phrase itself is neutral, but it is almost always used for legitimate business activities in professional English.

You can, but generate income or generate revenue are much more common collocations in English.

Don't say make income. The correct verb to pair with income in this context is almost always generate or earn.

Sometimes 'get rich quick' ads use it, but in a real business meeting, it is a very respected and standard term.

Verwandte Redewendungen

Turn a profit

To begin making more money than you spend.

Revenue stream

A specific source of money for a company.

Monetize

To turn an object or idea into a source of cash.

Passive income

Money earned with minimal active effort.

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