Meaning and Usage
"生計" (せいけい) refers to the means or way of making a living, supporting oneself or one's family financially. It is a formal noun often used in contexts discussing economic survival or financial support.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used when talking about work, income, or the difficulty of maintaining a livelihood. It often appears in phrases like "生計を立てる" (to make a living) or "生計を支える" (to support a livelihood).
Collocations and Patterns
- 生計を立てる: to make a living, commonly used when describing earning enough money to support oneself.
- 生計を支える: to support the livelihood, often used when someone is the breadwinner.
- 生計が苦しい: livelihood is difficult, used to express financial hardship.
Register and Nuance
"生計" is a somewhat formal term, more common in written language or formal speech rather than casual conversation. It conveys a serious tone about financial matters.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "生計" with "生活" (せいかつ), which means "life" or "lifestyle." Remember, "生計" focuses specifically on the financial aspect of living, while "生活" covers broader daily life activities.