高薪 in 30 Seconds
- 高薪 means 'high salary' and is used to describe lucrative professional compensation.
- It is a noun but frequently acts as an adjective in phrases like '高薪职位'.
- The term is common in recruitment ads, career talks, and economic news.
- It is formal and carries a sense of prestige and high professional demand.
The term 高薪 (gāoxīn) is a compound noun in Chinese that directly translates to "high salary" or "generous pay." It is composed of two characters: 高 (gāo) meaning "high" or "tall," and 薪 (xīn), which historically refers to firewood but evolved to mean salary or wages (short for 薪水 xīnshuǐ). In modern Mandarin, this word is the gold standard for describing a lucrative job or a position that offers significant financial compensation. It isn't just about getting paid; it's about being at the top tier of the earning bracket within a specific industry or society. You will encounter this word frequently in job advertisements, career counseling, and social discussions regarding success and lifestyle. It carries a connotation of professional achievement, specialized skill sets, and often, a high degree of responsibility or stress.
- Economic Context
- In the context of China's rapid economic development, 高薪 is often associated with industries like technology (IT), finance, and specialized medicine. It represents the 'dream' for many graduates entering the workforce in Tier-1 cities like Beijing or Shanghai.
- Social Status
- Earning a 高薪 is frequently linked to the concept of 'Mianzi' (Face). Having a high-paying job provides not just financial security but also social prestige and the ability to support an extended family, which remains a core value in Chinese culture.
- Labor Market Dynamics
- Companies use 高薪 as a primary tool for 'headhunting' (猎头) and talent acquisition. When a company '高薪聘请' (hires with high salary), it signals they are looking for elite talent and are willing to pay a premium for it.
为了吸引顶尖人才，这家科技公司提供了极具竞争力的高薪和福利待遇。
— In order to attract top talent, this tech company offers highly competitive high salaries and benefits.
The word is versatile. It can function as a noun (e.g., "追求高薪" - pursuing a high salary) or as an attributive modifying another noun (e.g., "高薪职位" - a high-salary position). Unlike the more generic '工资' (gōngzī - wages), 高薪 specifically highlights the magnitude of the payment. It is rarely used to describe entry-level or average pay; it is reserved for the upper percentiles. Understanding this word requires an appreciation of the '996' culture often found in high-paying Chinese tech firms—where high pay is sometimes seen as a trade-off for long hours.
他辞去了那份高薪工作，决定去环游世界。
— He resigned from that high-salary job and decided to travel around the world.
虽然那是高薪，但工作压力也异常巨大。
— Although it is a high salary, the work pressure is also exceptionally huge.
很多年轻人为了高薪而选择留在北上广深。
— Many young people choose to stay in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen for high salaries.
那家公司正在高薪招聘高级软件工程师。
— That company is recruiting senior software engineers with a high salary.
Using 高薪 (gāoxīn) correctly involves understanding its typical collocations and the grammatical roles it plays. Most commonly, it acts as an adjective-like noun that modifies the type of work or the act of hiring. It is essential to distinguish it from '高收入' (gāo shōurù), which refers to high income in general (including investments), whereas 高薪 specifically refers to the salary from an employer. When you want to say someone 'earns' a high salary, you usually use the verb '领' (lǐng), '拿' (ná), or '拥有' (yōngyǒu).
- As a Direct Object
- You can 'pursue' (追求), 'receive' (领), or 'offer' (提供) 高薪. For example: "他一直在追求高薪" (He has always been pursuing a high salary).
- As an Attributive (Modifier)
- It often modifies nouns like '职位' (zhíwèi - position), '工作' (gōngzuò - job), or '诱惑' (yòuhuò - temptation). Example: "高薪职位通常竞争激烈" (High-salary positions are usually highly competitive).
- In Fixed Phrases
- The phrase '高薪养廉' (gāoxīn yǎnglián) is a famous political concept meaning 'using high salaries to foster integrity' (preventing corruption by paying officials well).
尽管这份工作是高薪，但他还是因为想念家人而辞职了。
— Even though this job is high-paying, he still resigned because he missed his family.
When constructing sentences, pay attention to the level of formality. 高薪 is more formal than saying '工资很高' (gōngzī hěn gāo). In a professional interview, saying "我希望能获得一份高薪工作" (I hope to obtain a high-salary job) sounds more professional and ambitious than using simpler terms. It's also worth noting that in Chinese, 高薪 can be used to describe the *nature* of the company's offer, such as "高薪聘请" (hiring with high salary), which is a very common four-character construction found in newspapers and online job boards.
在金融行业，高薪往往伴随着高强度的加班。
— In the finance industry, high salaries often come with high-intensity overtime.
他凭借出色的能力拿到了一份令人羡慕的高薪合同。
— With his outstanding abilities, he secured an enviable high-salary contract.
You will encounter 高薪 (gāoxīn) in a variety of real-world scenarios in China and Chinese-speaking communities. It is a staple of the professional lexicon. One of the most common places is on job recruitment platforms like Liepin (猎聘), Boss Zhipin (Boss直聘), or Zhilian Zhaopin (智联招聘). Here, 高薪 is used as a keyword to attract candidates. You will see banners screaming "高薪急聘" (Urgent hiring with high salary) or "挑战高薪" (Challenge yourself for a high salary).
Beyond the job market, 高薪 is a frequent topic in news reports and economic analyses. For instance, when discussing the "Brain Drain" (人才流失), journalists often mention how other countries use 高薪 to lure Chinese scientists. In domestic news, the term is used to discuss the income gap or the rising costs of labor in manufacturing sectors that are trying to move up the value chain.
Socially, you'll hear it in conversations between friends, especially during the Chinese New Year when relatives ask about each other's careers. A common question or comment might be: "听说你在那家外企拿高薪，真不错啊！" (I heard you're getting a high salary at that foreign company, that's great!). It is also a recurring theme in TV dramas (often called 'Metropolitan Dramas' or 都市剧), where characters struggle between choosing a high-salary job they hate and a low-paying passion project.
In academic or political circles, you will hear the phrase '高薪养廉' (gāoxīn yǎnglián). This is a concept borrowed from Singapore's governance model, suggesting that if civil servants are paid extremely well, they will be less tempted by bribes. This leads to debates in Chinese media about whether increasing the 高薪 of government officials is a viable way to combat corruption. Furthermore, in the context of the 'Gig Economy,' you might hear people debating whether '高薪' is worth the lack of stability found in traditional roles.
While 高薪 (gāoxīn) seems straightforward, English speakers often make several nuanced errors. The most frequent mistake is confusing 高薪 with 高价 (gāojià). 高价 means "high price" and is used for goods and services (e.g., a high-priced car), whereas 高薪 is strictly for human labor and compensation. You cannot say a car is '高薪', and you shouldn't say a person's salary is '高价'.
Another common error is using 高薪 as a verb. In English, we might say "This job pays well," using 'pays' as the verb. In Chinese, you cannot say '这个工作高薪我' (This job high-salaries me). You must use a verb like '提供' (tígōng - provide) or '拿' (ná - take/receive). For example: "这个工作提供高薪" (This job provides a high salary) or "我在拿高薪" (I am receiving a high salary).
Learners also sometimes confuse 高薪 with 高贵 (gāoguì - noble/expensive-looking). While both start with '高', they describe completely different concepts. Additionally, be careful with the word order. While you can say '高薪职位' (high-salary position), you shouldn't say '职位高薪' unless you are specifically saying 'The position's salary is high' (这个职位的薪水很高).
Finally, there is a subtle distinction between 高薪 and 高收入 (gāo shōurù). 高收入 is broader. An entrepreneur who makes money from investments has a 高收入, but they don't necessarily have a 高薪 because they aren't receiving a 'salary' (薪) from an employer. Using 高薪 to describe a business owner's profits is technically inaccurate.
To truly master the vocabulary of compensation, you should understand how 高薪 (gāoxīn) compares to related terms. Each has a specific register and context where it fits best.
- 高薪 vs. 高收入 (Gāo Shōurù)
- Difference: 高薪 is specific to employment salary. 高收入 is a broader term for income from all sources (stocks, rent, salary).
Usage: Use 高收入 when talking about social classes (e.g., 高收入群体 - high-income group). - 高薪 vs. 待遇优厚 (Dàiyù Yōuhòu)
- Difference: 高薪 focuses only on the money. 待遇优厚 (generous treatment/benefits) includes salary plus insurance, holidays, and bonuses.
Usage: Use 待遇优厚 in formal job offers to sound more comprehensive. - 高薪 vs. 厚禄 (Hòulù)
- Difference: 厚禄 is a more literary or archaic term, often used in historical contexts or when talking about high-ranking officials (e.g., 高官厚禄).
Usage: Rarely used in daily life; found in literature and period dramas.
Other alternatives include '薪水很高' (xīnshuǐ hěn gāo), which is the most common way to express this idea in casual speech, and '重金' (zhòngjīn), which means 'a heavy sum of money' and is often used in phrases like '重金聘请' (hiring with a massive sum) to emphasize the extraordinary amount being offered.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
In ancient times, officials were sometimes paid in actual firewood and grain. Today, we still use the character for firewood to talk about digital bank transfers!
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'Gao' as 'Gow' with a falling tone.
- Pronouncing 'Xin' as 'Zin'.
- Using the third tone for 'Gao'.
- Failing to keep the 'n' in 'Xin' clear.
- Confusing 'Xin' with 'Xing'.
Difficulty Rating
Characters are moderately common; context is usually clear.
The character '薪' is complex to write stroke-by-stroke.
Pronunciation is simple if tones are mastered.
Can be confused with other 'gao' words if not careful.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Resultative Complements
他拿到了高薪。 (He managed to get the high salar
Examples by Level
他有高薪。
He has a high salary.
Subject + Verb (有) + Noun (高薪).
这是高薪工作。
This is a high-salary job.
Demonstrative + Verb (是) + Adjective-like Noun + Noun.
我不追求高薪。
I do not pursue a high salary.
Negative '不' + Verb '追求'.
医生有高薪吗？
Do doctors have high salaries?
Question with '吗'.
老师没有高薪。
Teachers do not have high salaries.
Negative '没有'.
爸爸的工作是高薪。
Dad's job is high-paying.
Possessive '的' + Subject + 是 + Noun.
我要高薪。
I want a high salary.
Subject + Verb (要) + Noun.
这里有高薪工作。
There are high-salary jobs here.
Locative + Verb (有) + Object.
那家公司提供高薪。
That company provides high salaries.
Common verb '提供' (provide).
高薪工作很难找。
High-salary jobs are hard to find.
Adjective '难' (hard) + Verb '找' (find).
他为了高薪去北京。
He went to Beijing for a high salary.
Preposition '为了' (for the sake of).
高薪不是最重要的。
A high salary is not the most important thing.
Superlative '最' (most).
你想拿高薪吗？
Do you want to get a high salary?
Verb '拿' (take/get) is common with salary.
只有高薪才能吸引他。
Only a high salary can attract him.
Structure '只有...才...' (only if... then...).
他是高薪人士。
He is a high-salary person.
Noun '人士' (personage/figure).
高薪职位竞争很大。
Competition for high-salary positions is great.
Noun '竞争' (competition).
高薪往往伴随着高压力。
High salaries are often accompanied by high pressure.
Verb '伴随' (accompany).
他拒绝了那份高薪合同。
He rejected that high-salary contract.
Verb '拒绝' (reject).
高薪并不代表快乐。
A high salary doesn't necessarily mean happiness.
Adverb '并不' (not at all).
这家企业高薪聘请专家。
This enterprise hires experts with high salaries.
Phrase '高薪聘请' (hire with high pay).
他通过努力获得了高薪。
He obtained a high salary through hard work.
Preposition '通过' (through).
虽然是高薪，但很辛苦。
Although it's a high salary, it's very hard work.
Conjunction '虽然...但...' (although... but...).
他的目标是拿到高薪。
His goal is to get a high salary.
Noun '目标' (goal).
你应该追求更高的薪水。
You should pursue a higher salary.
Comparative '更高' (higher).
高薪养廉是一种治理手段。
High salaries to foster integrity is a means of governance.
Four-character idiom-like phrase '高薪养廉'.
高薪职位对学历要求很高。
High-salary positions have high requirements for academic qualifications.
Noun '学历' (educational background).
他被高薪诱惑，离开了原单位。
He was tempted by a high salary and left his original unit.
Passive '被' (by).
高薪人才在全球范围内都很抢手。
High-salary talents are in high demand globally.
Adjective '抢手' (in high demand).
公司试图通过高薪留住人才。
The company tries to retain talent through high salaries.
Verb '留住' (retain/keep).
高薪背后的代价往往是健康。
The price behind a high salary is often health.
Noun '代价' (price/cost).
他并不在乎是否能拿高薪。
He doesn't care whether he can get a high salary.
Structure '是否' (whether or not).
高薪阶层对消费有很大贡献。
The high-salary class contributes greatly to consumption.
Noun '阶层' (social stratum/class).
高薪岗位的空缺吸引了无数应聘者。
The vacancies in high-salary posts attracted countless applicants.
Noun '空缺' (vacancy).
该行业的高薪现象引起了社会关注。
The phenomenon of high salaries in this industry has drawn social attention.
Noun '现象' (phenomenon).
他认为高薪应当与高风险挂钩。
He believes that high salaries should be linked to high risks.
Verb '挂钩' (link/hook up).
高薪未必能带来长久的职业满足感。
A high salary may not necessarily bring long-term career satisfaction.
Adverb '未必' (not necessarily).
企业通过高薪挖掘竞对的核心员工。
Enterprises poach core employees from competitors through high salaries.
Verb '挖掘' (here: poach/headhunt).
高薪策略在短期内确实有效。
The high-salary strategy is indeed effective in the short term.
Noun '策略' (strategy).
他放弃了高薪，选择投身公益事业。
He gave up the high salary and chose to devote himself to public welfare.
Verb '投身' (devote oneself to).
高薪神话在经济下行压力下破灭了。
The myth of high salaries shattered under the pressure of economic downturn.
Noun '神话' (myth) + Verb '破灭' (shatter).
高薪固然诱人，但灵魂的自由更为可贵。
While a high salary is certainly tempting, the freedom of the soul is more precious.
Conjunction '固然' (admittedly/certainly).
所谓的“高薪”往往是透支未来的另一种形式。
The so-called 'high salary' is often another form of overdrawing the future.
Verb '透支' (overdraw).
他在高薪与梦想的博弈中陷入了沉思。
He fell into deep thought during the gamble between a high salary and his dreams.
Noun '博弈' (game/gambling/contest).
高薪阶层的扩张反映了产业结构的变迁。
The expansion of the high-salary class reflects changes in the industrial structure.
Noun '变迁' (changes/vicissitudes).
他以高薪为饵，诱使他人参与非法集资。
He used high salaries as bait to entice others into illegal fundraising.
Noun '饵' (bait).
高薪背后的社会不公引发了广泛的辩论。
The social injustice behind high salaries has sparked widespread debate.
Noun '不公' (injustice).
高薪并不能掩盖其职业生涯的空虚。
A high salary cannot conceal the emptiness of his career.
Verb '掩盖' (conceal/cover up).
他在高薪岗位上如履薄冰，不敢有丝毫懈怠。
He felt like he was walking on thin ice in his high-salary post, not daring to be even slightly slack.
Idiom '如履薄冰' (walking on thin ice).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Getting a high salary but having low ability.
我们要避免高薪低能的员工。
— A high-paying and high-ranking position.
他放弃了高薪厚职去创业。
— The social class consisting of high earners.
高薪阶层的生活压力也不小。
— To poach someone with a high salary offer.
竞争对手正在对他进行高薪挖角。
— Recruiting with high pay.
报纸上到处是高薪招聘广告。
— To obtain or achieve a high salary.
他终于获得了心仪的高薪。
— A high-salary level.
该地区的工资已经达到了高薪水准。
— A high-salary return for one's efforts.
付出努力必有高薪回报。
— High salary as a bait (often negative).
别被骗子的高薪诱饵蒙蔽了。
— Industries known for high salaries.
金融和互联网是典型的高薪行业。
Idioms & Expressions
— High official position and generous salary.
他不为高官厚禄所动。
Literary— Not having to worry about food or clothing (implies wealth/high pay).
拿了高薪，他从此衣食无忧。
Idiomatic— Earning a huge amount of money every day.
他的高薪职位简直是日进斗金。
Exaggerated— Leisurely and carefree (often used for high-paid easy jobs).
他拿着高薪，生活得优哉游哉。
Literary— Under a heavy reward, there will be brave men.
公司开出高薪，重赏之下必有勇夫。
Proverbial— While the firewood is burnt, the fire is passed on (not directly about money, but uses '薪').
文化的薪尽火传非常重要。
Philosophical— A cup of water for a cartload of firewood (inadequate).
这点钱对他来说只是杯水车薪。
Common— Take away the firewood from under the pot (drastic measure).
这招釜底抽薪让对方彻底失败。
Strategy— Passing the torch (again, uses '薪').
这种精神薪火相传。
Literary— Rice is as dear as pearls and firewood as dear as cassia (high cost of living).
在这个城市，真是米珠薪桂。
ArchaicWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'High' (高) stack of 'Firewood' (薪). In the past, firewood was wealth. Today, a high stack of firewood is a 'High Salary'.
Visual Association
Imagine a skyscraper (高) where the employees are being showered with gold coins (薪).
Word Web
Challenge
Try to write a sentence using '高薪' and '压力' to describe your ideal career balance.
Word Origin
The word is a combination of '高' (high) and '薪' (firewood). In ancient China, '薪' (firewood) and '水' (water) were the basic necessities provided to workers or officials, leading to the term '薪水' for salary.
Original meaning: High amount of firewood (metaphorically, high compensation).
Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).Cultural Context
Asking someone their specific salary is common in some Chinese circles but can be sensitive in professional or younger urban settings.
In English, we often say 'well-paid' or 'six-figure salary.' 'High salary' is the most direct translation.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Job Interview
- 贵公司提供高薪吗？
- 我对高薪有期待。
- 高薪不是唯一标准。
- 高薪职位。
News Report
- 高薪行业排名。
- 高薪养廉政策。
- 高薪人才流失。
- 高薪现象。
Social Gathering
- 听说你拿高薪。
- 羡慕你的高薪。
- 高薪也累啊。
- 为了高薪打拼。
Economic Analysis
- 高薪阶层的消费。
- 高薪对市场的刺激。
- 高薪岗位的分布。
- 平均薪资与高薪。
Internal Company Talk
- 高薪挖掘人才。
- 高薪留人策略。
- 高薪合同条款。
- 高薪酬体系。
Conversation Starters
"你觉得在你的行业里，什么样的工资才算高薪？"
"为了高薪，你愿意每天加班到深夜吗？"
"你认为高薪工作一定比低薪工作压力大吗？"
"在选择工作时，高薪和兴趣哪个更重要？"
"你听说过哪些奇怪的高薪职业吗？"
Journal Prompts
描述你理想中的高薪职位，包括工作内容和环境。
如果给你一份高薪但你完全不喜欢的工作，你会接受吗？为什么？
谈谈高薪对一个人生活品质和社会地位的影响。
讨论一下‘高薪养廉’这个概念在你的国家是否可行。
反思一下，除了高薪，还有哪些因素让你觉得一份工作是有价值的。
Summary
高薪 (gāoxīn) is the essential term for 'high salary' in Chinese. Use it when discussing career goals, job offers, or the economic status of professions. Example: '高薪聘请' (hiring with high pay) is a standard business phrase.
- 高薪 means 'high salary' and is used to describe lucrative professional compensation.
- It is a noun but frequently acts as an adjective in phrases like '高薪职位'.
- The term is common in recruitment ads, career talks, and economic news.
- It is formal and carries a sense of prestige and high professional demand.
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
More work words
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
