生 計(せいけい)

せいけい

noun

livelihood, living, means of subsistence

See also: 整形(せいけい) (plastic surgery)

1. livelihood, living, means of subsistence

The financial means by which a person or household supports daily life. Focuses on the economic aspect of making a living rather than the occupation itself.

生計(せいけい)を立(た)てるのが難(むずか)しい。

It's difficult to make a living.

夫婦(ふうふ)共働(ともばたら)きで生計(せいけい)を立(た)てている。

The couple supports their livelihood with both spouses working.

父(ちち)が亡(な)くなってから、母(はは)が一人(ひとり)で家族(かぞく)の生計(せいけい)を支(ささ)えてきた。

Since my father passed away, my mother has been supporting the family's livelihood on her own.

Usage

Most commonly appears in the expression 生計(せいけい)を立(た)てる (to make a living, to earn one's livelihood). The word focuses on the financial/economic side of sustaining life, unlike 生業(なりわい) which emphasizes the type of work.

Common patterns

生計(せいけい)を立(た)てる: to make a living (most common pattern)
生計(せいけい)を支(ささ)える: to support one's livelihood
生計(せいけい)を共(とも)にする: to share a household (live together financially)

Common collocations

生計(せいけい)を立(た)てる: to make a living
生計(せいけい)を維持(いじ)する: to maintain one's livelihood
生計(せいけい)手段(しゅだん): means of livelihood
生計(せいけい)費(ひ): living expenses

Related Words

Synonym: 生業(なりわい) (livelihood, occupation)

Related: 生活(せいかつ) (life, living)

Compare: 糊口(ここう) (making a living)

general

Added 2026.2.25 22:57 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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