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
Example Sentences Hide
他在努力挣钱。
我每天挣钱很辛苦。
他在水中挣扎求救。
她挣扎着摆脱了噩梦。
那只狗挣脱了锁链。
为了梦想,他拼命挣钱存钱。
尽管身体不适,他仍然挣扎着完成工作。
在现实的压力下,人们不得不挣扎着寻找平衡。