Definitions

zhèng (verb) to make (money); to earn
zhēng (verb) to struggle; to strive

Etymology

To fight  by hand  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "挣" finds its origins in the traditional form "掙", which structurally pairs the hand radical with the component "争", the latter contributing both phonetic value and the conceptual essence of striving or contending. Etymologically, this construction indicated actions involving vigorous physical effort or struggle, often within the realm of manual labor. Over centuries, its semantic scope gradually refined from this broad sense of exertion to encompass more specific applications, most notably the act of earning or acquiring, especially in the context of generating income through work. This shift from denoting general struggle to emphasizing productive economic endeavor reflects a natural alignment with changing societal emphases, while the character retains its core association with diligent effort, as evidenced in uses like挣脱, meaning to break free through force.

Etymology Hide

Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他在努力钱。

Tā zài nǔlì zhèng qián.

He is working hard to earn money.

我每天钱很辛苦。

Wǒ měitiān zhèng qián hěn xīnkǔ.

I earn money very hard every day.

他在水中扎求救。

Tā zài shuǐ zhōng zhēngzhá qiújiù.

He is struggling in the water calling for help.

扎着摆脱了噩梦。

Tā zhēngzházhe bǎituō le èmèng.

She struggled to break free from the nightmare.

那只狗脱了锁链。

Nà zhǐ gǒu zhèngtuō le suǒliàn.

That dog broke free from the chain.

为了梦想,他拼命钱存钱。

Wèile mèngxiǎng, tā pīnmìng zhèng qián cún qián.

For the dream, he desperately earns and saves money.

尽管身体不适,他仍然扎着完成工作。

Jǐnguǎn shēntǐ bùshì, tā réngrán zhēngzházhe wánchéng gōngzuò.

Despite feeling unwell, he still struggled to finish the work.

在现实的压力下,人们不得不扎着寻找平衡。

Zài xiànshí de yālì xià, rénmen bùdebù zhēngzházhe xúnzhǎo pínghéng.

Under the pressure of reality, people have to struggle to find balance.