Level 4

먹고살다

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Meaning and Usage

The Korean verb phrase '먹고살다' literally means 'to eat and live,' but it is commonly used to express 'making a living' or 'earning enough to survive.' It often implies the basic necessity of earning money to cover daily expenses.

Common Contexts

This phrase is frequently used in everyday conversations about work, income, and survival. It can express difficulty in earning enough money or simply the act of sustaining oneself financially.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 먹고살기 힘들다: to find it hard to make a living, often used when discussing economic hardship.
  • 먹고살아야 하다: must make a living, expressing necessity.
  • 먹고살 만하다: to be able to make a decent living, indicating sufficiency.

Register and Nuance

'먹고살다' is informal to neutral in tone and is widely used in spoken Korean. It is not overly formal, so it fits well in casual or semi-formal contexts.

Common Learner Mistake

Learners sometimes confuse '먹고살다' with simply '먹다' (to eat). Remember that '먹고살다' emphasizes the broader concept of sustaining life through earning, not just the act of eating.

Example Sentences

요즘은 돈 벌기가 어려워서 먹고살기도 힘들다.

Yojeumeun don beolgiga eoryeowoseo meokgosalgido himdeulda.

These days, it's hard to make money, so making a living is also difficult.

그는 가족을 위해 열심히 일해서 먹고산다.

Geuneun gajogeul wihae yeolsimhi ilhaeseo meokgosanda.

He works hard to make a living for his family.

먹고살기 위해서는 기본적인 생활비가 필요하다.

Meokgosalgi wihaeseoneun gibonjeogin saenghwalbiga piryo하다.

To make a living, basic living expenses are necessary.