In 15 Seconds
- Refers to working for an employer, often part-time or hourly.
- Commonly used by students or young professionals in casual settings.
- Can be used humorously to describe the daily corporate grind.
Meaning
It literally means 'hitting work.' It refers to doing manual labor, part-time jobs, or working for a boss rather than being self-employed.
Key Examples
3 of 6Telling a friend about a new cafe job
我在那家咖啡馆打工。
I am working part-time at that cafe.
Explaining why you are busy this weekend
周末我要去打工，没时间玩。
I have to work this weekend, so I don't have time to play.
A boss talking to a potential hire (slightly more formal context)
你以前在哪儿打过工吗？
Have you worked part-time anywhere before?
Cultural Background
The term skyrocketed in popularity during the 2020s through the 'Dagongren' (Worker) meme. It represents a shift from the '996' hustle culture to a more cynical, humorous acceptance of being a cog in the machine. It bridges the gap between blue-collar labor and white-collar office stress.
The 'Hit' in Hit Work
In Chinese, `打` (dǎ) is a 'chameleon verb' used for everything from playing basketball to making a phone call. Here, it implies 'doing' or 'engaging in' labor.
Don't offend your boss
If you tell your boss 'I am just here to `打工`,' it might imply you don't care about the company mission. Use `工作` (gōngzuò) to sound more dedicated.
In 15 Seconds
- Refers to working for an employer, often part-time or hourly.
- Commonly used by students or young professionals in casual settings.
- Can be used humorously to describe the daily corporate grind.
What It Means
打工 is the ultimate bread-and-butter phrase for workers. It implies you are an employee, not the owner. It often suggests hourly pay or temporary roles. However, it has evolved recently to describe the daily grind of any office job.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb. You can say you go to 打工 at a cafe. You can also use it as an adjective for 'worker' by adding 人 (person). This creates 打工人, a very popular self-deprecating term. It is flexible and fits into most casual sentences easily.
When To Use It
Use it when talking to friends about your summer job. Use it when explaining why you can't hang out tonight. It is perfect for describing a side hustle. If you are a student working at a convenience store, this is your word. It sounds humble and grounded.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it in a high-level job interview. Don't tell a CEO they are 打工. It can sound a bit too low-status for professional titles. In formal contracts, use 就职 or 工作 instead. It is too casual for a wedding speech or a legal document.
Cultural Background
Originally, this came from Cantonese-speaking regions like Hong Kong. It described migrant workers moving to cities for manual labor. Now, young Chinese people have reclaimed it. They call themselves 打工人 to bond over the shared struggle of corporate life. It is a badge of honor for the hardworking middle class.
Common Variations
打零工: Doing odd jobs or very short-term gigs.打工仔: A slightly older term for a young male worker.打工魂: The 'spirit' of the worker (usually used ironically).给别人打工: Working for someone else (as opposed to starting a business).
Usage Notes
It is a separable verb (离合词). While you usually see it as `打工`, you can technically put things in the middle, though it is rare for this specific phrase. Stick to using it as a simple verb for 'working for someone.'
The 'Hit' in Hit Work
In Chinese, `打` (dǎ) is a 'chameleon verb' used for everything from playing basketball to making a phone call. Here, it implies 'doing' or 'engaging in' labor.
Don't offend your boss
If you tell your boss 'I am just here to `打工`,' it might imply you don't care about the company mission. Use `工作` (gōngzuò) to sound more dedicated.
The 'Dagongren' Meme
If you see someone post a picture of a sunset with the caption '加油，打工人!', they are ironically encouraging themselves to survive another day of work.
Examples
6我在那家咖啡馆打工。
I am working part-time at that cafe.
A classic use for a part-time student job.
周末我要去打工，没时间玩。
I have to work this weekend, so I don't have time to play.
Shows that work is a priority/obligation.
你以前在哪儿打过工吗？
Have you worked part-time anywhere before?
Used to ask about previous experience in a relaxed interview.
早安，打工人！
Good morning, fellow workers!
The 'Dagongren' meme used to bond with friends.
辛辛苦苦打工，工资还是这么少。
Working so hard, yet the salary is still so low.
Expresses the frustration of the daily grind.
我只是个打工的，别问我这么难的问题。
I'm just a worker, don't ask me such hard questions.
Used to deflect responsibility with humor.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to complete the sentence about a student's summer plans.
暑假我想去餐厅___。
`打工` (work part-time) is the only one that makes sense in a restaurant context for a student.
How would you refer to yourself as a hardworking employee in a funny way?
加油，___！
`打工人` is the specific noun used to refer to oneself as a worker.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Working'
Used with friends or for part-time gigs.
打工 (dǎgōng)
Standard way to say 'to work'.
工作 (gōngzuò)
Professional employment or career.
就职 (jiùzhí)
Where to use 打工
University Student
Working at a library
Corporate Office
Joking about the grind
Service Industry
Waiting tables
With Parents
Explaining your summer
Practice Bank
2 exercises暑假我想去餐厅___。
`打工` (work part-time) is the only one that makes sense in a restaurant context for a student.
加油，___！
`打工人` is the specific noun used to refer to oneself as a worker.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
11 questionsNot anymore! While it traditionally meant part-time or manual labor, people now use it to describe any job where you have a boss, including full-time office roles like 他在大公司打工.
No. If you own the business, you are an 老板 (boss) or 创业者 (entrepreneur). 打工 specifically means working for someone else.
It is neutral but informal. It is perfectly polite among peers, but maybe a bit too 'rough' for a formal business presentation.
工作 is the general word for 'work' or 'job.' 打工 has a more casual, 'hired hand' feel to it.
You can say 我想找个地方打工 (Wǒ xiǎng zhǎo gè dìfāng dǎgōng).
No, it is usually self-deprecating humor. It is like saying 'I'm just a corporate slave' in a funny way.
A doctor wouldn't usually say they are 打工 unless they are joking about being tired. They would use 执业 or 工作.
It started in the south (Guangdong) but is now used everywhere in mainland China.
No, 打工 implies you are getting paid. For volunteering, use 做志愿者.
That means doing 'odd jobs' or 'gig work' like being a delivery driver for a day.
Not really. It is usually a verb. To use it as a noun, you add 的 as in 打工的 (a worker).
Related Phrases
工作
Work / Job (General)
兼职
Part-time job (More formal term)
加班
To work overtime
辞职
To resign/quit
