Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
谋生 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
谋生móushēngto seek one's livelihoodHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #8786, Very Hard
谋生móushēngto work to support oneselfHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #8786, Very Hard
谋生móushēngto earn a livingHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #8786, Very Hard
móushēng(mou2sheng1)mou sheng T2
  1. 1to seek one's livelihood
  2. 2to work to support oneself
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

谋生(謀生)móushēng(mou2sheng1)

谋生 refers to the act of seeking ways to earn a living or support oneself financially. It is commonly used in contexts where individuals are discussing their jobs, careers, or the various means through which they sustain their livelihood.

Strokes16Frequency#8786DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of earning a living is often linked to family responsibilities and societal expectations. The phrase reflects the importance placed on hard work and providing for one’s family, which is a core value in Chinese society.

Memory tip

Imagine a clever fox (谋, 'móu') plotting its next meal to survive. The fox is always on the move, seeking ways to earn its keep (生, 'shēng' means life or living). This imagery connects the act of strategizing for survival with the sound of the word.

Meanings of 谋生

móushēng(mou2sheng1)
1to seek one's livelihood
2to work to support oneself
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 谋生 means.

About 谋生

谋生Simplified
謀生Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 谋生

JasonAmy

Podcast: 谋生

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 谋生

Quick Contrast

谋生 (móushēng) vs 生活 (shēnghuó): use 谋生 when specifically referring to the act of earning a living, while 生活 encompasses the broader concept of life and living conditions.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 谋生 with similar phrases that imply leisure or passive income, as it specifically refers to active efforts in earning money. It is typically used in informal contexts, but can also appear in more serious discussions about work and survival.

HSK Study Tips

Although not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding 谋生 can help with broader discussions related to work and livelihood, which are common themes in HSK level content. Focus on related terms, such as 工作 (gōngzuò, 'work') and 生活 (shēnghuó, 'life').

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 谋生 with phrases like 过日子 (guò rìzi, 'to live day by day'), which emphasizes living rather than the active pursuit of income. Remember, 谋生 is about actively seeking ways to earn a living.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 谋生

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 谋生, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 谋生 to you

Let me explain 谋生 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 谋生 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 谋生?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 谋生 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

谋móuto plan
HSK 711 strokes讠
View full entry
生shēngto be born
HSK 45 strokes生
View full entry

How to say to seek one's livelihood in Chinese

“to seek one's livelihood” in Chinese is谋生móushēng

谋生 refers to the act of seeking ways to earn a living or support oneself financially. It is commonly used in contexts where individuals are discussing their jobs, careers, or the various means through which they sustain their livelihood.

When to use 谋生

Be careful not to confuse 谋生 with similar phrases that imply leisure or passive income, as it specifically refers to active efforts in earning money. It is typically used in informal contexts, but can also appear in more serious discussions about work and survival.

谋生 or something close to it

谋生 (móushēng) vs 生活 (shēnghuó): use 谋生 when specifically referring to the act of earning a living, while 生活 encompasses the broader concept of life and living conditions.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mix up 谋生 with phrases like 过日子 (guò rìzi, 'to live day by day'), which emphasizes living rather than the active pursuit of income. Remember, 谋生 is about actively seeking ways to earn a living.

Write 谋生

谋
生

Practice writing 谋生 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 谋生?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Frequently asked questions about 谋生

Not exclusively, but it primarily relates to the active pursuit of income-generating activities.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 谋生?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab