Meaning and Usage
"共稼ぎ" (ともかせぎ) specifically refers to a married couple both earning income, often used to describe households where both husband and wife work. It highlights the economic cooperation between spouses.
Common Contexts
This term is frequently used in discussions about family finances, work-life balance, and social trends regarding gender roles in Japan. It often appears in conversations about how couples manage household responsibilities alongside their jobs.
Collocations and Patterns
- 共稼ぎの家庭 (ともかせぎのかてい): dual-income family
- 共稼ぎで生活する (ともかせぎでせいかつする): to live as a dual-income couple
- 共稼ぎでも家事分担が必要 (ともかせぎでもかじぶんたんがひつよう): even with both working, sharing housework is necessary
Register and Nuance
The term is neutral and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It carries no negative or positive connotation by itself but can be part of discussions about social expectations or challenges faced by working couples.
Learner Tips
Learners often confuse "共稼ぎ" with general "働く" (to work). Remember, "共稼ぎ" specifically implies both spouses working together to support the household, not just any working situation. Use it when emphasizing the couple's joint economic activity.