At the A1 level, you only need to know that 生活费 (shēnghuófèi) means the money you need to live every month. You might use it in very simple sentences like 'I have money' or 'I don't have money for life.' At this stage, focus on the individual characters: 'shēnghuó' (life) and 'fèi' (fee). You should be able to recognize the word when someone asks if you have enough money for food and rent. You don't need to worry about complex economic theories, just that it's the 'money for living.' For example, 'My living expenses are 1000 yuan.' This is a concrete noun for you, usually linked to your monthly budget. You might hear your teacher or a friend ask 'How much is your living expense?' and you should be able to answer with a number.
At the A2 level, you should be able to use 生活费 in slightly more complex sentences, such as describing where the money comes from or how you use it. You can start using verbs like 'gěi' (to give) or 'huā' (to spend). For example, 'My parents give me living expenses every month.' You should also be able to compare living expenses between two places using 'bǐ' (than), such as 'Shanghai's living expenses are higher than my hometown's.' This level requires you to understand the word in the context of daily survival and basic budgeting. You might also encounter the word when looking at simple advertisements for student apartments or part-time jobs that mention 'covering living expenses.'
At the B1 level, you are expected to discuss 生活费 in the context of personal finance management. You should be able to use words like 'jiéshěng' (to save) and 'fùdān' (to afford/bear). You might talk about how to reduce your 生活费 by cooking at home instead of eating out. You should also understand the difference between 生活费 and other costs like 'xuéfèi' (tuition). At this stage, you can participate in conversations about the 'cost of living' in different countries and explain why certain cities are more expensive. You can also use the word in the context of scholarships or financial aid, explaining that a scholarship helps cover your monthly living expenses.
At the B2 level, 生活费 becomes a tool for discussing social and economic issues. You should be able to talk about the impact of inflation on the average person's 生活费. You can use more formal verbs like 'zhīfù' (to pay) and 'zēngjiā' (to increase). You might discuss the 'burden' (fùdān) of living expenses on young professionals in big cities. You should be able to understand news articles that use the term in the context of social welfare or minimum wage discussions. At this level, you can also use the term to describe legal or formal arrangements, such as maintenance payments in a legal context, though you are still using the general term.
At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 生活费 and its synonyms like 'kāizhī' (expenditure) or 'shēnghuó chéngběn' (cost of living). You can use it in academic or professional discussions about socio-economic trends. You might analyze how the 'structure' of 生活费 has changed over the decades in China—shifting from a focus on food to a focus on housing and services. You should be able to use the term in complex grammatical structures and in written reports. Your ability to distinguish between colloquial usage and formal economic terminology should be sharp. You can discuss the philosophical implications of what constitutes a 'standard' living expense in different cultures.
At the C2 level, you master 生活费 in all its linguistic glory, including its use in literature, high-level policy debate, and complex economic analysis. You can discuss the word's etymology and its relation to historical terms for money. You can use it to talk about the 'quality of life' (shēnghuó zhìliàng) vs. the 'cost of living.' You are comfortable using it in any register, from slang to the most formal legal language. You can interpret the subtle emotional weight the word carries in stories about migrant workers or struggling artists. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a window into the economic and social heart of Chinese society.

生活费 در ۳۰ ثانیه

  • 生活费 (shēnghuófèi) means 'living expenses' and covers basic daily costs like food and rent.
  • It is commonly used by students when discussing the money they receive from parents or scholarships.
  • Verbs like 支付 (pay), 节省 (save), and 负担 (afford) are frequently paired with this word.
  • Cultural context: In China, parents often support adult children's 生活费 until they are financially stable.

The term 生活费 (shēnghuófèi) is a fundamental noun in the Chinese language that every learner must master to navigate daily life, financial discussions, and social interactions. At its core, it translates to "living expenses" or "cost of living" for an individual or a household. It is a compound word formed by three characters: shēng (birth/life), huó (live/activity), and fèi (fee/cost). Together, shēnghuó means "life" or "daily living," and fèi signifies the monetary expenditure required to maintain that life.

Core Definition
The money spent on necessities such as food, housing, clothing, and transportation to maintain a standard of living.

In a Chinese cultural context, this word appears frequently in family settings. For instance, parents often provide 生活费 to their children who are studying at university. Unlike the English term "allowance," which can sometimes imply a small amount of pocket money for fun (often called 零用钱 língyòngqián), 生活费 specifically denotes the essential funds needed for survival and basic comfort.

我每个月给孩子三千元生活费。 (I give my child 3,000 yuan a month for living expenses.)

Furthermore, the word is used in broader economic discussions. When people talk about the rising costs in tier-one cities like Beijing or Shanghai, they are inevitably talking about the 生活费. It encompasses rent (房租 fángzū), utilities (水电费 shuǐdiànfèi), and food (伙食费 huǒshífèi). If you are moving to China to work or study, calculating your monthly 生活费 is a crucial first step.

Common Verbs
Commonly paired with verbs like 支付 (zhīfù - to pay), 节省 (jiéshěng - to save/economize), and 负担 (fùdān - to afford/bear the burden of).

这里的生活费太高了,我负担不起。 (The living expenses here are too high; I cannot afford them.)

In summary, 生活费 is the pragmatic side of existence. It is not about luxury or investments, but about the tangible cost of daily bread, shelter, and the basic rhythm of life. Whether you are a student budgeting your scholarship or a professional negotiating a salary, this word will be at the center of your financial vocabulary.

Using 生活费 (shēnghuófèi) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun and the specific verbs that govern it. In Chinese grammar, it typically functions as the object of a sentence or a subject when describing a state of affairs. Because it represents a quantifiable amount of money, it is often followed by numbers and currency units, or modified by adjectives related to cost and scale.

Pattern 1: Quantifying Expenses
[Subject] + [Time Period] + 的 + 生活费 + 是 + [Amount]. This is the most standard way to state a budget.

我大学时每个月的生活费是一千五百块。 (When I was in university, my monthly living expenses were 1,500 yuan.)

When you want to talk about managing these expenses, you use verbs like jiéshěng (节省 - to save) or kòngzhì (控制 - to control). This is very common when discussing financial discipline. Conversely, if expenses are increasing, you use shàngzhǎng (上涨 - to rise) or zēngjiā (增加 - to increase).

Pattern 2: Budgetary Actions
为了 [Purpose], [Subject] 必须 节省 生活费. (In order to [Purpose], [Subject] must save on living expenses.)

为了买新电脑,他这个月一直在节省生活费。 (In order to buy a new computer, he has been saving on living expenses all month.)

Another important usage involves the source of the money. In China, many young adults rely on parents for their 生活费 until they find their first job. The verb yīlài (依赖 - to rely on) or xiàng...yào (向...要 - to ask... for) is used in these contexts. This reflects a social reality where the financial transition to independence is a major milestone.

In formal settings, such as legal documents regarding divorce or child support, 生活费 might be specified as a legal obligation. Here, the verb zhīfù (支付 - to pay) is preferred over the more colloquial gěi (给 - to give). Understanding these register shifts helps you sound more natural and precise in your Chinese communication.

You will encounter 生活费 (shēnghuófèi) in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from intimate family dinners to national news broadcasts. Understanding the environment in which this word flourishes will help you grasp its weight and nuance. It is a word of pragmatism, often linked to the stresses and realities of modern life.

1. University Campuses
Students are the primary demographic associated with this word. You will hear them comparing how much they spend on food vs. entertainment, or complaining that their scholarship isn't enough to cover their monthly 生活费.

“你的生活费够花吗?” (“Is your living expense money enough to spend?”)

This question is a common way for friends or family to show concern. In China, the cost of living varies wildly between a city like Shanghai and a smaller town in the interior, so 生活费 is a constant topic of comparison for students who move for their education.

2. News and Social Media
In the media, 生活费 is used when discussing inflation (通货膨胀 tōnghuò péngzhàng) or the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Headlines might read: “Rising Vegetable Prices Increase Urban 生活费.”

On social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) or Weibo, you will find “budgeting challenges” where influencers show how they survive on a minimal 生活费 for a week. These viral trends highlight the word's relevance to the younger generation's financial anxieties.

Lastly, you will hear it in legal or administrative contexts. If someone is applying for a government subsidy or dealing with a divorce settlement, the term 生活费 is used to define the necessary maintenance funds. It is a word that bridges the gap between the personal struggle of making ends meet and the formal structures of the economy.

While 生活费 (shēnghuófèi) seems straightforward, English speakers often make nuanced errors when translating their thoughts directly into Chinese. The most common mistake is confusing it with other types of expenses or using the wrong verbs to describe financial actions.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 零用钱 (Allowance)
In English, "allowance" can mean money for fun. In Chinese, 生活费 is for survival (rent, food), while língyòngqián is specifically for extra, non-essential spending. Don't tell your boss you need more 生活费 for a movie ticket; use língyòngqián.

Another frequent error involves the word fèiyòng (费用). While fèiyòng is a general term for "costs" or "fees," 生活费 is a specific category. You cannot use them interchangeably in all contexts. For example, you wouldn't say "medical living expenses"—you would say yīliáo fèiyòng (医疗费用).

Incorrect: 他的学费和生活费用很高。 (His tuition and living fees are high.)
Correct: 他的学费和生活费很高。

Verb choice is also a pitfall. English speakers often say they "spend" living expenses. While huā (花 - to spend) is acceptable, it is more natural to say you zhīfù (支付 - pay) or fùdān (负担 - bear/afford) them. Specifically, avoid using xiāofèi (消费 - consume) with 生活费. Xiāofèi refers to the act of consumerism or spending money on goods, whereas 生活费 is the budget itself.

Lastly, be careful with the word "cost of living" in a macro-economic sense. While 生活费 can mean this, the more formal term used in economics is shēnghuó chéngběn (生活成本). If you are writing a research paper or a formal report, shēnghuó chéngběn is the appropriate choice, while 生活费 is better for personal and daily conversations.

To truly master Chinese, you need to know the synonyms and related terms that surround 生活费 (shēnghuófèi). Depending on the level of formality and the specific type of expense, you might choose a different word to express yourself more accurately.

1. 开支 (kāizhī) - Expenses/Expenditure
This is a slightly more formal term than 生活费. It refers to any money spent. You might say "monthly expenses" as měiyuè kāizhī. It is broader and can include both necessities and luxuries.

我们家的主要开支是房租。 (Our family's main expense is rent.)

2. 花销 (huāxiāo) - Spending/Costs
This is a more colloquial, northern-influenced term. It is very common in spoken Mandarin when talking about how much money one "goes through" in a month. It feels more casual than 生活费.

If you are talking about specific sub-categories of living expenses, use these terms:

  • 伙食费 (huǒshífèi): Specifically for food and meals.
  • 房租 (fángzū): Rent.
  • 零用钱 (língyòngqián): Pocket money for non-essentials.
  • 交通费 (jiāotōngfèi): Transportation costs.

In a historical or literary context, you might see the word pánchán (盘缠), which refers to travel expenses in ancient times. While not used in modern daily life, knowing it adds depth to your understanding of how the concept of "living money" has evolved. Today, 生活费 remains the most versatile and essential term for anyone living, working, or studying in a Chinese-speaking environment.

چقدر رسمی است؟

نکته جالب

In ancient China, people didn't use the term '生活费'; they used '盘缠' (pánchán), which literally refers to the way copper coins were coiled around one's waist for travel.

راهنمای تلفظ

UK /ʃʌŋ huɔː feɪ/
US /ʃʌŋ hwoʊ feɪ/
The primary stress is on the first and third syllables (SHĒNG and FÈI).
هم‌قافیه با
对 (duì) 贵 (guì) 背 (bèi) 睡 (shuì) 退 (tuì) 泪 (lèi) 内 (nèi) 配 (pèi)
خطاهای رایج
  • Pronouncing 'fèi' as 'fēi' (first tone instead of fourth).
  • Confusing 'shēng' with 'shèng'.
  • Merging 'huó' and 'fèi' into one sound.

سطح دشواری

خواندن 2/5

Characters are common and easy to recognize.

نوشتن 3/5

Writing '生活' is easy, but '费' has more strokes.

صحبت کردن 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward.

گوش دادن 2/5

Very common word in daily life contexts.

بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟

پیش‌نیازها

生活

بعداً یاد بگیرید

开支 成本 预算 节省 工资

پیشرفته

通货膨胀 消费指数 财务自由 宏观调控 购买力

گرامر لازم

Measure words for money

一笔生活费 (A sum of living expenses).

The 'de' particle for possession

我的生活费 (My living expenses).

Quantity questions with 'duōshǎo'

生活费是多少? (How much is the living expense?)

Resultative complements with 'huā'

生活费花完了 (Living expenses are spent/finished).

Topic-comment structure

生活费,我每个月都要花三千。 (As for living expenses, I spend 3000 every month.)

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

我的生活费不多。

My living expenses are not much.

Simple subject-adjective sentence.

2

每个月生活费是多少?

How much are the living expenses each month?

Using 'duōshǎo' for quantity.

3

爸爸给我生活费。

Dad gives me living expenses.

Subject-Verb-Indirect Object-Direct Object.

4

生活费够了吗?

Is the living expense money enough?

Using 'gòu le ma' to ask about sufficiency.

5

我需要生活费。

I need living expenses.

Basic 'Subject + Need + Object' pattern.

6

这是你的生活费。

This is your living expense money.

Simple demonstrative sentence.

7

生活费在桌子上。

The living expense money is on the table.

Locative 'zài' sentence.

8

我不花很多生活费。

I don't spend much living expense money.

Negative sentence with 'huā' (to spend).

1

北京的生活费很高。

The living expenses in Beijing are very high.

Using 'de' to indicate location possession.

2

我每个月节省生活费。

I save on living expenses every month.

Using the verb 'jiéshěng'.

3

他的生活费比我多。

His living expenses are more than mine.

Comparative 'bǐ' structure.

4

你用生活费买什么了?

What did you buy with your living expenses?

Using 'yòng' (to use) as a preposition.

5

这些钱是我的生活费。

This money is my living expenses.

Plural demonstrative 'zhèxiē'.

6

我要去取生活费。

I am going to withdraw living expense money.

Using 'qǔ' (to withdraw).

7

妈妈每个月寄生活费给我。

Mom sends me living expenses every month.

Using 'jì' (to send/mail).

8

我没有钱付生活费。

I don't have money to pay for living expenses.

Using 'fù' (to pay).

1

为了省钱,他尽量减少生活费。

In order to save money, he tries his best to reduce living expenses.

Using 'wèile' (in order to).

2

奖学金足够支付我的生活费。

The scholarship is enough to pay for my living expenses.

Using 'zhīfù' (formal pay).

3

他开始自己赚生活费了。

He has started earning his own living expenses.

Using 'zhuàn' (to earn).

4

虽然生活费涨了,但工资没涨。

Although living expenses rose, salary didn't.

Conjunction 'suīrán...dàn...'.

5

你如何管理你的生活费?

How do you manage your living expenses?

Using 'guǎnlǐ' (to manage).

6

在伦敦,生活费是一笔不小的开支。

In London, living expenses are a significant expenditure.

Using 'yì bǐ' as a measure word for money.

7

他向朋友借了一些生活费。

He borrowed some living expense money from a friend.

Using 'xiàng...jiè' (borrow from).

8

你应该合理安排生活费。

You should arrange your living expenses reasonably.

Using 'hélǐ ānpái' (reasonable arrangement).

1

由于通货膨胀,城市生活费大幅上升。

Due to inflation, urban living expenses have risen sharply.

Using 'yóuyú' (due to) and 'dàfú' (sharply).

2

他每个月都要寄一笔生活费回老家。

He has to send a sum of living expenses back home every month.

Using 'huí lǎojiā' (back to hometown).

3

对于很多年轻人来说,生活费是个沉重的负担。

For many young people, living expenses are a heavy burden.

Using 'duìyú...láishuō' (as for...).

4

政府决定提高低保户的生活费补贴。

The government decided to increase the living expense subsidies for low-income households.

Using 'bǔtiē' (subsidy).

5

他不得不通过兼职来应付生活费。

He had to deal with living expenses through part-time jobs.

Using 'yìngfù' (to cope with/deal with).

6

生活费的增加直接影响了生活质量。

The increase in living expenses directly affects the quality of life.

Using 'zhíjiē yǐngxiǎng' (directly affect).

7

我们需要重新核算这个月的生活费。

We need to re-calculate this month's living expenses.

Using 'hésuàn' (to calculate/audit).

8

扣除房租后,剩下的钱就是生活费。

After deducting rent, the remaining money is for living expenses.

Using 'kòuchú' (to deduct).

1

该地区的平均生活费水平已超出普遍承受能力。

The average living expense level in this region has exceeded general affordability.

Using 'chéngshòu nénglì' (affordability/capacity).

2

离婚协议中明确规定了子女的生活费数额。

The divorce agreement clearly stipulates the amount of living expenses for the children.

Using 'míngquè guīdìng' (clearly stipulate).

3

生活费的结构性变化反映了消费升级的趋势。

The structural changes in living expenses reflect the trend of consumption upgrading.

Using 'jiégòuxìng biànhuà' (structural change).

4

他靠着微薄的生活费完成了学业。

He completed his studies relying on meager living expenses.

Using 'wēibó' (meager/scanty).

5

在大城市打拼,生活费的压力不言而喻。

Striving in a big city, the pressure of living expenses goes without saying.

Using the idiom 'bùyán'éryù' (self-evident).

6

我们要考虑到通胀因素对生活费的长期影响。

We must consider the long-term impact of inflation factors on living expenses.

Using 'chángqī yǐngxiǎng' (long-term impact).

7

他将大部分收入用于支付家人的生活费。

He uses most of his income to pay for his family's living expenses.

Using 'yòngyú' (used for).

8

生活费的支出比例在家庭总预算中占据首位。

The proportion of living expense expenditure holds the top spot in the total family budget.

Using 'zhànjù shǒuwèi' (occupy the first place).

1

生活费的剧烈波动往往是社会动荡的诱因之一。

Drastic fluctuations in living expenses are often one of the triggers of social unrest.

Using 'jùliè bōdòng' (drastic fluctuation) and 'yòuyīn' (trigger).

2

如何界定‘基本生活费’在法律界仍存争议。

How to define 'basic living expenses' remains controversial in the legal community.

Using 'jièdìng' (to define/delimit).

3

生活费不再仅仅是生存的成本,更是阶层身份的象征。

Living expenses are no longer just the cost of survival, but a symbol of class identity.

Using 'bùzài jǐnjǐn shì... gèng shì...'.

4

在全球化背景下,跨国公司的生活费补贴标准各异。

In the context of globalization, the living expense subsidy standards of multinational corporations vary.

Using 'biàndù' (context/background).

5

该政策旨在缓解低收入群体在生活费方面的燃眉之急。

The policy aims to alleviate the pressing needs of low-income groups regarding living expenses.

Using the idiom 'ránméizhījí' (pressing need).

6

生活费的地域差异导致了人口的大规模流动。

Regional differences in living expenses have led to large-scale population migration.

Using 'dìyù chāyì' (regional difference).

7

他对于生活费的精打细算近乎一种艺术。

His meticulous calculation of living expenses is almost an art form.

Using 'jīngdǎ xìsuàn' (meticulous planning).

8

生活费的膨胀使得‘财务自由’成为遥不可及的梦想。

The expansion of living expenses makes 'financial freedom' an unreachable dream.

Using 'yáobùkějī' (unreachable).

مترادف‌ها

开支 花销 支出 费用 盘缠 伙食费 零用钱 生活成本

متضادها

收入 储蓄 利润 进账

ترکیب‌های رایج

节省生活费
支付生活费
生活费标准
赚取生活费
负担生活费
生活费补贴
提高生活费
扣除生活费
基本生活费
平均生活费

عبارات رایج

每个月的生活费

— Monthly living expenses.

你每个月的生活费是多少?

大学生活费

— University living expenses.

大学生活费越来越高了。

生活费不够

— Living expenses are not enough.

我的生活费不够用了。

寄生活费

— To send living expenses (usually via bank transfer).

他每月寄生活费回家。

生活费自理

— To take care of one's own living expenses.

出国留学的学生通常生活费自理。

固定生活费

— Fixed living expenses.

我有固定的生活费预算。

生活费来源

— Source of living expenses.

他的生活费来源主要是奖学金。

生活费压力

— Pressure of living expenses.

生活费压力让他感到焦虑。

省下生活费

— To save up living expense money.

他省下生活费去旅行。

生活费支出

— Living expense expenditure.

生活费支出占了他薪水的一半。

اغلب اشتباه گرفته می‌شود با

生活费 vs 学费

Tuition fees. Specifically for education, not daily living.

生活费 vs 零用钱

Pocket money. For fun or small extras, not essential bills.

生活费 vs 房租

Rent. One part of 生活费, but not the whole thing.

اصطلاحات و عبارات

"省吃俭用"

— To live frugally; to save on food and daily expenses.

他为了供孩子上学,一直省吃俭用。

Common
"精打细算"

— Meticulous planning and careful calculation (usually with money).

在管理生活费方面,她非常精打细算。

Commendatory
"入不敷出"

— Income cannot cover expenses.

由于生活费太高,他现在入不敷出。

Formal
"节衣缩食"

— To save on clothing and food; to live very simply.

在困难时期,大家都要节衣缩食。

Literary
"量入为出"

— To spend according to one's income.

安排生活费时,应该量入为出。

Formal
"挥金如土"

— To spend money like dirt (very wastefully).

他花生活费挥金如土,从来不存钱。

Derogatory
"倾家荡产"

— To lose everything/go bankrupt (extreme case of expenses).

如果不控制生活费,迟早会倾家荡产。

Exaggerated
"捉襟见肘"

— To have too many problems to deal with (often used for being short of money).

生活费的短缺让他捉襟见肘。

Literary
"大手大脚"

— To spend money lavishly/extravagantly.

你花生活费不能总是大手大脚的。

Informal
"坐吃山空"

— To consume one's wealth without earning more.

光靠那点生活费,迟早会坐吃山空。

Common

به‌راحتی اشتباه گرفته می‌شود

生活费 vs 生活费 vs. 生活成本

Both relate to the cost of living.

生活费 is more personal and concrete (my budget); 生活成本 is more abstract and academic (the cost in a city).

我的生活费不够了 (My budget is out) vs. 这个城市的生活成本很高 (This city is expensive).

生活费 vs 生活费 vs. 工资

Both involve monthly money.

工资 is what you earn (salary); 生活费 is what you spend to live.

我的工资有一万,但生活费要花五千。

生活费 vs 生活费 vs. 费用

Both mean costs.

费用 is a general term for any fee; 生活费 is specifically for daily living.

报名费用 (Registration fee) vs. 生活费.

生活费 vs 生活费 vs. 开支

Both mean expenses.

开支 is broader and can include business or luxury; 生活费 is focused on necessities.

公司开支 (Company expenses) vs. 个人生活费.

生活费 vs 生活费 vs. 零花钱

Both refer to money given to someone.

生活费 covers needs (food, rent); 零花钱 covers wants (snacks, toys).

大学生需要生活费,小学生只需要零花钱。

الگوهای جمله‌سازی

A1

S + V + 生活费

我要生活费。

A2

Place + 的生活费 + Adj

上海的生活费很贵。

B1

为了...节省生活费

为了旅游,我节省生活费。

B1

S + 够/不够 + 生活费

这点钱不够生活费。

B2

生活费 + 上涨/下降

最近生活费上涨得很快。

B2

生活费 + 是一笔...开支

生活费是一笔巨大的开支。

C1

生活费 + 结构/比例

生活费的比例发生了变化。

C2

界定/衡量 + 生活费

如何界定基本生活费是一个难题。

خانواده کلمه

اسم‌ها

生活 (Life)
费用 (Fee/Cost)
活计 (Work/Job)
费率 (Rate)

فعل‌ها

生活 (To live)
花费 (To spend)
费心 (To take trouble)
浪费 (To waste)

صفت‌ها

生活的 (Daily/Life-related)
费力的 (Strenuous)
费钱的 (Expensive)

مرتبط

学费
房租
水电费
话费
油费

نحوه استفاده

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and economic news.

اشتباهات رایج
  • Using '生活费用' instead of '生活费'. 生活费

    While '费用' means 'fees', '生活费' is the established compound noun. Adding '用' is redundant and sounds unnatural.

  • Using '生活费' for business expenses. 差旅费 / 运营成本

    生活费 is strictly for personal/daily life maintenance.

  • Saying '我有很多生活费'. 我的生活费很高 / 很充足。

    In Chinese, you describe the amount as high (高) or sufficient (充足) rather than 'having many' (很多).

  • Confusing '生活费' and '学费' in a sentence. Use '学费' for tuition and '生活费' for food/rent.

    Beginners often group all university costs under one word. They are distinct.

  • Using '消费' as a verb for 生活费. 支付生活费

    消费 (xiāofèi) means to consume products. You pay (支付) or spend (花) your living expense budget.

نکات

Verb Pairing

Always pair '生活费' with '支付' (zhīfù) for a formal tone and '花' (huā) for a casual tone. Avoid '用' (yòng) unless you are specifying what you bought with it.

Social Obligation

Understand that '寄生活费' (sending living expenses) is a major social duty for many Chinese workers who move to cities.

Specific Fees

Break down '生活费' into '伙食费' (food) and '房租' (rent) when you want to be more precise in your writing.

Tone Accuracy

Focus on the 4th tone of '费'. A falling tone sounds more decisive and is correct. If you use a flat tone, it sounds like 'fly'.

Visual Cues

Associate '费' with the '贝' radical at the bottom, which means shell. Ancient Chinese used shells as money.

Macro vs Micro

Use '生活费' for your own wallet and '生活成本' for the city's economy.

Stroke Order

Practice the stroke order of '费' carefully; the top part '弗' can be tricky for beginners.

Context Clues

When you hear 'shēnghuó', expect a 'fèi' to follow if the topic is money or budgeting.

Common Questions

Master the phrase '生活费够吗?' (Are living expenses enough?) as it is a very common way to show concern.

HSK Context

This word often appears in HSK 3 and 4 listening tasks involving students or family life.

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

Imagine 'SHENG' as a growing plant (Life), 'HUO' as water (Active living), and 'FEI' as a dollar sign (Fee). You need money to keep the plant watered!

تداعی تصویری

Visualize a monthly calendar where every day has a small coin icon on it, representing the daily cost of living.

شبکه واژگان

Rent Food Water Electricity Internet Clothes Transport Health

چالش

Try to list your top 3 monthly expenses in Chinese using the word 生活费.

ریشه کلمه

生活费 is a modern compound. '生活' (shēnghuó) appeared in ancient texts meaning 'to survive' or 'living.' '费' (fèi) dates back to the Oracle Bone Script, representing money or property spent.

معنای اصلی: Money spent on the activities of staying alive.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

بافت فرهنگی

Be careful when asking someone about their 生活费 directly, as money can be a sensitive topic in some social circles, though it is generally more openly discussed in China than in the US.

In the West, 'allowance' or 'pocket money' is often for children, while 'cost of living' is a macro term. 生活费 sits right in the middle, used for both personal and general contexts.

The movie 'Coming Home' touches on the struggle for basic living expenses. News reports on the '996' work culture often mention the high 生活费 in tech hubs. Online budgeting challenges on Douyin (TikTok China).

تمرین در زندگی واقعی

موقعیت‌های واقعی

At University

  • 申请生活费补贴
  • 我的生活费不够了
  • 节省伙食费
  • 兼职赚生活费

Family Discussion

  • 寄生活费回家
  • 给孩子生活费
  • 商量生活费标准
  • 生活费太高了

At the Bank

  • 取生活费
  • 汇生活费
  • 生活费转账
  • 查询余额

Moving to a New City

  • 了解生活费水平
  • 计算生活费
  • 合租省生活费
  • 高额的生活费

Legal/Official

  • 支付抚养生活费
  • 申请最低生活费
  • 法律规定的生活费
  • 生活费协议

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

"你觉得在北京每个月多少生活费才够?"

"你大学的时候,每个月生活费是多少?"

"为了节省生活费,你有什么好主意吗?"

"你觉得现在的物价对你的生活费影响大吗?"

"你会给你的孩子多少生活费?"

موضوعات نگارش

记录你上个月的生活费开支,看看哪一部分花得最多。

写一写如果你每个月只有一千元生活费,你会怎么生活。

对比一下你家乡和你现在居住城市的生活费差异。

谈谈你对‘年轻人应该自己赚取生活费’这个观点的看法。

描述一次你因为生活费不够而不得不节省的经历。

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

Yes, in most contexts, 生活费 includes rent, utilities, and food. However, some people might list 'rent' and 'living expenses' separately to be more specific. If someone says '生活费不包括房租', they mean the money is just for food and daily items.

Partially. An allowance for a child is '零用钱'. An allowance for a university student that covers their rent and food is '生活费'. '生活费' is more serious and essential than 'allowance'.

It varies. In cities like Beijing or Shanghai, 2000-4000 RMB is common. In smaller cities, 1000-2000 RMB might be enough. This includes food and basic needs but often excludes high rent.

No. For business travel, you should use '差旅费' (chāilǚfèi) or '补贴' (bǔtiē). 生活费 is for your personal daily life.

You would say '生活费指数' (shēnghuófèi zhǐshù) or more commonly '生活成本指数' (shēnghuó chéngběn zhǐshù).

Mostly, yes. It can also mean 'to spend' or 'to waste' (as in 浪费 làngfèi) or 'to take effort' (as in 费劲 fèijìn).

Yes, you can say '全家的生活费' (the whole family's living expenses).

There isn't a single word, but '收入' (shōurù - income) is the financial opposite.

Among close friends or family, it's very common and considered caring. With strangers, it might be a bit too personal, but less so than asking for their total salary.

You can say: '通货膨胀导致生活费大幅增加。' (Inflation has led to a significant increase in living expenses.)

خودت رو بسنج 180 سوال

writing

Translate: My living expenses are 500 yuan.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write the Chinese characters for 'shēng huó fèi'.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: Beijing's living expenses are high.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: Mom gives me living expenses every month.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: I need to save on living expenses to buy a bike.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: How do you manage your living expenses?

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: Due to inflation, living expenses have increased.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: He sends living expenses back to his hometown.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: The structure of living expenses has changed significantly.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: The scholarship is sufficient to cover daily living expenses.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: Is the living expense enough?

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: I don't spend much living expense money.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: My living expenses include rent.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: The government provides living expense subsidies.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: Living expenses have become a symbol of social class.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: This is your living expense money.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: He borrowed living expenses from me.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: I am looking for a job to earn living expenses.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: Living expense pressure is very high in big cities.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: We must analyze the long-term impact on living expenses.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say: My monthly living expenses are 1000 yuan.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Ask: How much is your living expense?

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say: Living expenses in London are very expensive.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say: I want to save on living expenses.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Explain: Why do you need more living expenses this month?

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Ask: Do you earn your own living expenses?

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Discuss: The impact of rising prices on your living expenses.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say: The company provides a living expense subsidy.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Explain: The difference between 生活费 and 零用钱.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Discuss: How to define 'basic living expenses' for a family.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say: Living expense is enough.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say: He gives me living expenses.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say: I spend 3000 yuan on living expenses.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say: Living expenses are a heavy burden.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Discuss: The correlation between living expenses and social mobility.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say: Thank you for the living expenses.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say: I save money for living expenses.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say: My scholarship covers living expenses.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say: I need to re-calculate my living expenses.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Discuss: Regional differences in living expenses in China.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the amount: '我每个月的生活费是八百块。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify who: '爸爸给我寄生活费。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the city: '上海的生活费很高。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the action: '我要去银行取生活费。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the purpose: '为了买电脑,他节省生活费。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the source: '他靠打工赚生活费。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the problem: '通货膨胀让生活费涨了很多。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the feeling: '生活费压力让他很焦虑。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the percentage: '房租占生活费的百分之四十。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the context: '离婚协议规定了生活费标准。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify if enough: '我的生活费不够了。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the comparison: '他的生活费比我多。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the change: '生活费下降了。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the group: '政府给学生生活费补贴。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen and identify the theme: '生活费是阶层身份的象征。'

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:

/ 180 درست

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