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March 24, 2026
挣(掙)zhèng(zheng4)
The character 挣 (zhēng) means to strive or struggle, particularly in the context of making money or achieving goals. It is commonly used to describe efforts to earn a living or to overcome challenges, signifying a sense of determination and effort in various aspects of life.
Strokes9Radical扌Frequency#2822DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 挣 refers not only to financial struggle but also to the broader social context of hard work and perseverance, which is highly valued in society. Many Chinese proverbs emphasize the importance of striving hard for success.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person trying to 'earn' money by 'struggling' through a thick jungle. The character 挣 has a radical that resembles a person (亻) next to a symbol for a struggle (挣). Visualize this person battling through obstacles to earn their reward, linking the form to its meaning.
Meanings of 挣
zhèng(zheng4)
primary
1to struggle to get free
2to strive to acquire
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 挣
挣Simplified
掙Traditional
9Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2822Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRB2
Podcast: 挣
Podcast: 挣
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AI Study Notes for 挣
Quick Contrast
挣 (zhèng) vs 赚 (zhuàn) — use 挣 when emphasizing the effort involved in making money, while 赚 focuses more on the profit or gain achieved.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person trying to 'earn' money by 'struggling' through a thick jungle. The character 挣 has a radical that resembles a person (亻) next to a symbol for a struggle (挣). Visualize this person battling through obstacles to earn their reward, linking the form to its meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 挣 with similar-sounding words, such as 争 (zhēng), which means to contest or dispute. This character is generally used in informal contexts when discussing money-making efforts; be cautious with the tone, as a mispronunciation can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 挣 connects to other verbs related to effort and struggle, such as 努力 (nǔlì, to strive) and 奋斗 (fèndòu, to fight for). Students should focus on using it in practical sentences to describe personal goals or financial aspirations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 挣 refers not only to financial struggle but also to the broader social context of hard work and perseverance, which is highly valued in society. Many Chinese proverbs emphasize the importance of striving hard for success.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 挣 with the similar-sounding 争 (zhēng), leading to errors like saying '我在争钱' instead of '我在挣钱' (I am striving to earn money). Always use 挣 when referring to making money.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 挣
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Grammar Patterns of 挣
挣 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
I struggled into a bathrobe and staggered down the stairs.
9
他们只好挣扎着穿过厚厚的泥巴去找建筑工人。
tā mén zhī hǎo zhèng zā zháo chuān guò hòu hòu de ní bā qù zhǎo jiàn zhù gōng rén。
They had to battle through thick mud to reach construction workers.
10
他描述了被俘4个月里挣扎求生的艰难岁月。
tā miáo shù le bèi fú4 4 gè yuè lǐ zhèng zā qiú shēng de jiān nán suì。
He described the difficulties of surviving for four months as a captive.
Cultural Notes for 挣
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 挣 refers not only to financial struggle but also to the broader social context of hard work and perseverance, which is highly valued in society. Many Chinese proverbs emphasize the importance of striving hard for success.
Word Family of 挣
Words Containing This Character5
挣zhèngto make (money)掙
挣扎zhēngzháto struggle掙扎
挣钱zhèngqiánto make money掙錢
挣脱to throw off掙脫
垂死挣扎deathbed struggle垂死掙扎
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 挣 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 挣
挣 refers more to the act of striving for something, especially money, while 挣扎 emphasizes a struggle or fight, often against difficulties.
While 挣 is commonly used in informal contexts, it can also appear in formal discussions about economic efforts, but careful attention to context is necessary.
You can use it to express your efforts to earn money, for example, '我正在挣更多的钱' (I am striving to earn more money).
