2 · 39 words

Work and jobs

Going to work, the people at work, shifts, earning money and looking for a job.

The working day is framed by a pair of verbs, 上班(shàngbān) and 下班(xiàbān), going on to and coming off a shift; the same 上(shàng) and 下(xià) start and end a class. A title goes after the surname and is used to address people: 王(Wáng)经理(jīnglǐ), Manager Wang. And to ask what somebody does, ask what work they do: 你(nǐ)做(zuò)什么(shénme)工作(gōngzuò)？

The words

Verb (13)

上班(shàngbān)to go to work; to be at workVerb2

你(nǐ)每天(měitiān)几(jǐ)点(diǎn)上班(shàngbān)？What time do you start work every day?

Also simply being at work: 他(tā)在(zài)上班(shàngbān), he is at work.

下班(xiàbān)to finish workVerb2

我(wǒ)今天(jīntiān)六(liù)点(diǎn)下班(xiàbān)。I finish work at six today.

上下班(shàngxiàbān)to travel to and from workVerb2

他(tā)骑(qí)自行车(zìxíngchē)上下班(shàngxiàbān)。He cycles to and from work.

做事(zuòshì)to work; to get things doneVerb2

他(tā)做事(zuòshì)很(hěn)快(kuài)。He gets things done quickly.

办事(bànshì)to deal with something; to run an errandVerb2

我(wǒ)去(qù)银行(yínháng)办(bàn)点儿(diǎnr)事(shì)。I am going to the bank to sort something out.

干活儿(gànhuór)to work (especially with the hands)Verb2

他(tā)从(cóng)早(zǎo)到(dào)晚(wǎn)都(dōu)在(zài)干活儿(gànhuór)。He works from morning till night.

挣钱(zhèngqián)to earn moneyVerb2

他(tā)在(zài)北京(Běijīng)打工(dǎgōng)挣钱(zhèngqián)。He works in Beijing to earn money.

赚钱(zhuànqián)to make money; to make a profitVerb2

这个(zhège)店(diàn)很(hěn)赚钱(zhuànqián)。This shop makes a lot of money.

挣钱(zhèngqián) is earning by your work; 赚钱(zhuànqián) is also making a profit.

开店(kāidiàn)to open a shop; to run a shopVerb2

她(tā)想(xiǎng)自己(zìjǐ)开店(kāidiàn)。She wants to open her own shop.

教书(jiāoshū)to teach (as a job)Verb2

我(wǒ)妈妈(māma)在(zài)中学(zhōngxué)教书(jiāoshū)。My mum teaches at a secondary school.

种地(zhòngdì)to farm; to work the landVerb2

他(tā)家(jiā)在(zài)农村(nóngcūn)种地(zhòngdì)。His family farm in the countryside.

帮(bāng)to helpVerb2

你(nǐ)能(néng)帮(bāng)我(wǒ)一下(yíxià)吗(ma)？Could you give me a hand?

More spoken than 帮助(bāngzhù); unlike 帮忙(bāngmáng), it takes the person directly.

管(guǎn)to be in charge of; to look afterVerb2

办公室(bàngōngshì)的(de)电脑(diànnǎo)都(dōu)是(shì)小(Xiǎo)王(Wáng)管(guǎn)。Xiao Wang looks after all the computers in the office.

This list belongs to Work and careers — seven lists and 279 words that can also be practised as a whole.

Practise this list

Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 39 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.