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."

Related Words

Compare: 大黒柱(だいこくばしら) (pillar of the family)

general

Added 2026.4.8 5:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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