稼(かせ)ぎ頭(がしら)

かせぎがしら
noun
top earner; breadwinner
1. top earner; primary breadwinner; biggest moneymaker
The person or thing that earns the most money in a family, company, or group. Can refer to a person, a product, or a business division.
彼(かれ)が家族(かぞく)の稼(かせ)ぎ頭(がしら)だ。
He is the family's primary breadwinner.
この商品(しょうひん)は会社(かいしゃ)の稼(かせ)ぎ頭(がしら)だ。
This product is the company's biggest moneymaker.
稼(かせ)ぎ頭(がしら)の父(ちち)が入院(にゅういん)して、家計(かけい)が苦(くる)しくなった。
When the primary earner, my father, was hospitalized, the household finances became tight.

Refers to the person or thing that brings in the most income. Originally used for people, it is now also commonly applied to products, divisions, or businesses that generate the most revenue.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 家族(かぞく)の稼(かせ)ぎ頭(がしら): the family's breadwinner
  • 会社(かいしゃ)の稼(かせ)ぎ頭(がしら): the company's top earner
  • 稼(かせ)ぎ頭(がしら)を失(うしな)う: to lose the primary earner

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 大黒柱(だいこくばしら): pillar of the family — emphasizes the supporting role, not just income
  • 一家(いっか)の主(あるじ): head of household — focuses on authority, not earnings

ETYMOLOGY:
稼(かせ)ぎ (earning) + 頭(がしら) (head, leader). Literally "the head earner."

general
Added 2026.4.8 5:17 · Revised 2026.4.10 17:28
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