赚钱

Use it as a standard verb-object phrase. You can put words in the middle for emphasis. Try saying 赚大钱 to mean 'making the big bucks.' You can also use it to describe a business. If a shop is successful, people say it is 赚钱 (profitable). Use it when talking about your career goals. Use it when discussing why you are working overtime.

You will hear this everywhere in China. Use it with friends when discussing new jobs. Use it with family when they ask about your life. It is perfect for business meetings when discussing margins. Use it when you are proud of a successful project. It is great for lighthearted venting about why we work so hard.

Avoid using it in extremely sensitive emotional moments. Do not say it at a funeral or a wedding toast. It can sound a bit too 'materialistic' in those settings. Also, avoid it when discussing a high-level government official's 'service.' In those cases, use more formal terms like 'serving the people.' Don't use it for winning the lottery. That is 中奖, not 赚钱.

Chinese culture is very open about discussing money. Unlike some Western cultures, asking 'Is this job profitable?' is normal. Money is often seen as a sign of diligence and family responsibility. During Chinese New Year, people wish you wealth. 赚钱 is seen as a positive, active pursuit. It is not just about greed. It is about providing for your loved ones.

You will often hear 挣钱 (zhèng qián). This is a very close synonym. 挣钱 often implies hard manual labor or 'struggling' to earn. 赚钱 sounds a bit more like 'making a profit' or business success. In the digital age, people also use 搞钱. This is slang for 'focusing on getting that bread.'