최저임금
The minimum wage is the lowest amount of money an employer is legally allowed to pay their workers.
Explanation at your level:
The minimum wage is the smallest amount of money a company can pay you for your work. If you work, you must get at least this much money. It is a law in many countries. It helps people buy food and pay for their homes. You might hear people say, 'I work a minimum wage job.' This means they are earning the lowest legal pay.
In many countries, the government sets a minimum wage. This is the lowest amount of money an employer can pay a worker for one hour of work. It is important because it protects workers from being paid too little. If you are looking for a first job, you might start by earning the minimum wage. It is a common topic in the news when people talk about money and jobs.
The minimum wage is a legal floor for pay. Employers cannot pay their staff less than this amount, regardless of the job. Many people debate whether the minimum wage should be higher to help workers keep up with the cost of living. When you apply for a job, the salary is often listed, and sometimes it is simply described as 'minimum wage.' It is a key concept for understanding labor laws and worker rights in any country.
The minimum wage serves as a critical economic standard that prevents the exploitation of labor. By establishing a legal baseline, governments ensure that workers receive a fair share of the value they create. However, the minimum wage is often a subject of intense political debate. Some argue that raising it helps reduce poverty, while others worry it might lead to higher prices for goods and services. Understanding this term is essential for anyone interested in economics or social policy.
Beyond its function as a simple pay floor, the minimum wage represents a social contract between the state, the employer, and the employee. It reflects a society's values regarding the dignity of work and the necessity of a living standard that allows for basic participation in the economy. In academic and policy contexts, economists analyze the 'elasticity of demand' for labor in relation to changes in the minimum wage. It is a nuanced topic that balances the need for worker protection against the potential for market distortions. Whether discussed in a legislative chamber or a sociology seminar, the term carries significant weight in discourse about inequality and wealth distribution.
The minimum wage is a cornerstone of modern labor jurisprudence, evolving from early 20th-century industrial reforms into a global benchmark for economic equity. Its etymological roots—the Latin minimus for 'least' and the Germanic wagan for 'pledge'—highlight the historical tension between capital and labor. In advanced discourse, one might explore the 'monopsony power' of employers and how a mandated minimum wage can correct market failures where workers lack bargaining power. Furthermore, the cultural perception of the minimum wage varies wildly; in some nations, it is seen as a vital protection, while in others, it is viewed as a barrier to entry for low-skilled workers. This term encapsulates a complex intersection of ethics, law, and macroeconomics, serving as a barometer for a nation's commitment to social welfare and the fair treatment of its most vulnerable workforce members.
30秒词汇
- Minimum wage is the lowest legal pay.
- It is set by governments.
- It aims to protect workers.
- It is a common topic in economic debates.
Think of the minimum wage as a safety net for your wallet. It is the absolute bottom line that a business must pay you for your work, ensuring that no one is paid an unfairly low amount.
When we talk about the minimum wage, we are usually discussing government policy. It is designed to make sure that even the simplest jobs provide enough money for people to afford basic things like food and rent. It is a legal requirement, meaning businesses can get in big trouble if they try to pay less than this set amount.
It is important to remember that this rate changes depending on where you live. Some cities or states have a higher minimum wage than the national average because the cost of living in those places is higher. It is a fundamental concept in economics that impacts almost every worker starting their first job.
The concept of a minimum wage has roots that go back to the late 19th century. Early movements began in New Zealand and Australia, where labor unions pushed for laws to protect workers from being paid starvation wages.
In the United States, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 was a major turning point. During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt championed the idea to help the economy recover and to protect vulnerable laborers. The term itself is a straightforward compound of 'minimum' (from Latin minimus, meaning smallest) and 'wage' (from Old French wagier, meaning a pledge or payment).
Historically, the minimum wage was not just about money; it was about dignity. It was a way for society to say that human labor has a baseline value that cannot be ignored. Over the decades, it has evolved from a controversial idea into a standard feature of modern labor markets globally.
You will hear this term most often in news reports, political debates, and business discussions. It is a very formal term, but it is also used in casual conversation when talking about part-time jobs or summer employment.
Common collocations include 'federal minimum wage', 'raising the minimum wage', and 'earning minimum wage'. You might say, 'I started my first job at minimum wage,' which is a very natural way to describe your entry-level experience.
In professional settings, you might discuss the 'impact of minimum wage' on local businesses. In casual settings, you might hear friends complain about 'minimum wage jobs', referring to roles that don't pay very much. It is a versatile phrase that fits into both academic papers and everyday chats about money.
While 'minimum wage' isn't an idiom itself, it appears in many labor-related expressions. 'Living wage' is a related concept, referring to the amount needed to live comfortably rather than just survive. 'Working for peanuts' is a common idiom meaning to work for a very low salary, often used when someone feels their minimum wage is too low.
'Make ends meet' is often used alongside discussions of the minimum wage, meaning to earn just enough to cover expenses. 'Bread and butter' refers to a person's main source of income, which for some is a minimum wage job. 'Penny-pinching' is often used to describe the lifestyle of someone earning the minimum wage who has to be very careful with spending.
These expressions help paint a picture of the financial reality faced by many workers. They add emotional weight to the dry, technical term of 'minimum wage' by describing how it feels to actually live on that amount.
Grammatically, 'minimum wage' is a compound noun. It is almost always used as an uncountable noun in a general sense, but you can say 'minimum wages' when referring to the different rates set across various industries or regions.
The pronunciation in American English is /ˈmɪn.ɪ.məm weɪdʒ/. Note the 'm' sounds at the start and end of 'minimum'. It rhymes with words like 'sage' (wage) and 'stadium' (minimum). The stress is on the first syllable of 'minimum'.
You usually use the definite article 'the' when talking about it: 'The minimum wage is increasing.' When using it as an adjective, you might say, 'a minimum-wage job,' using a hyphen to connect the two words. It is a straightforward term, but remember that 'minimum' can be tricky for some learners to spell, so watch those double 'm's!
Fun Fact
The word 'wage' comes from a root meaning 'to pledge or bet'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'm' sounds, short 'i' sounds.
Slightly softer 'e' sound in the middle.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'minimum' as 'min-yoo-mum'
- Dropping the 'm' at the end of minimum
- Slurring the 'w' in wage
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to understand once the concept is explained.
Straightforward usage.
Commonly used in daily life.
Frequently heard in news.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
高级
Grammar to Know
Compound Nouns
minimum wage
Definite Articles
the minimum wage
Hyphenated Adjectives
minimum-wage job
Examples by Level
The minimum wage is low.
minimum wage = lowest pay
Simple subject-verb-adjective
I have a minimum wage job.
minimum wage = entry level pay
Noun phrase
He earns the minimum wage.
earns = gets paid
Verb usage
Is this minimum wage?
asking about pay
Question form
The minimum wage changed.
changed = became different
Past tense verb
They want a higher minimum wage.
higher = more money
Comparative adjective
Minimum wage helps workers.
helps = supports
Subject-verb agreement
It is a minimum wage role.
role = job
Noun as adjective
The government decided to increase the minimum wage.
Many students work for minimum wage during the summer.
She is looking for a job that pays more than minimum wage.
The minimum wage varies from state to state.
Is the minimum wage enough to live on?
He worked at a minimum wage job for two years.
The company must pay at least the minimum wage.
They are campaigning for a higher minimum wage.
The debate over the minimum wage often centers on the cost of living.
Many small businesses struggle when the minimum wage is raised.
He started his career in a minimum wage position.
The federal minimum wage has not been adjusted in several years.
Critics argue that a high minimum wage can lead to job losses.
She relies on her minimum wage salary to pay for her rent.
The new law mandates a significant increase in the minimum wage.
Most entry-level roles in this industry offer the minimum wage.
Proponents argue that the minimum wage is essential for reducing income inequality.
The economic impact of raising the minimum wage is a complex subject.
She found it difficult to make ends meet while earning the minimum wage.
The legislation aims to index the minimum wage to inflation.
Many economists have studied the relationship between the minimum wage and unemployment.
A living wage is often contrasted with the government-mandated minimum wage.
The company was fined for failing to pay its employees the minimum wage.
The minimum wage serves as a crucial baseline for low-skilled labor.
The political discourse surrounding the minimum wage often obscures the underlying economic realities.
The implementation of a national minimum wage was a landmark moment for labor rights.
Arguments against the minimum wage often cite the potential for inflationary pressure.
The minimum wage acts as a floor, but it does not necessarily guarantee a decent standard of living.
Policymakers must balance the minimum wage with the competitiveness of local industries.
The minimum wage is a powerful tool for social mobility if implemented correctly.
Many states have opted to set a minimum wage that exceeds the federal requirement.
The minimum wage is not merely a number; it is a reflection of societal priorities.
The discourse on the minimum wage is inextricably linked to the broader history of the labor movement.
Scholars often scrutinize the minimum wage for its role in mitigating monopsony power in labor markets.
The efficacy of the minimum wage as a poverty-reduction tool remains a subject of rigorous academic inquiry.
Legislating the minimum wage is an exercise in balancing macroeconomic stability with social equity.
The minimum wage is a quintessential example of government intervention in the free market.
Historical data suggests that the minimum wage has profound effects on wage compression.
The minimum wage is a dynamic policy instrument that requires frequent reassessment.
The philosophical underpinnings of the minimum wage touch upon the very nature of fair compensation.
常见搭配
Idioms & Expressions
"make ends meet"
to have just enough money to pay for things
It is hard to make ends meet on a minimum wage salary.
neutral"work for peanuts"
to work for very little money
I am tired of working for peanuts.
casual"bread and butter"
a person's main source of income
This job is my bread and butter.
neutral"bare minimum"
the smallest amount possible
He did the bare minimum to get by.
neutral"penny-pinching"
being very careful with money
Years of minimum wage work made her a penny-pincher.
casual"scrape by"
to manage to live on very little money
They are just scraping by on the minimum wage.
neutralEasily Confused
Both refer to pay levels.
Minimum is law; living is a standard for comfort.
He earns the minimum wage, but it's not a living wage.
Both are pay.
Salary is fixed annual; wage is hourly.
She earns a salary, not an hourly wage.
It's part of the phrase.
Minimum is just the smallest amount of anything.
The minimum order is $5.
It's part of the phrase.
Wage is just the payment for work.
His hourly wage is $20.
Sentence Patterns
The minimum wage is [amount].
The minimum wage is $15.
I earn the minimum wage.
I earn the minimum wage at the store.
They want to raise the minimum wage.
They want to raise the minimum wage to help families.
A minimum-wage job is hard.
A minimum-wage job can be physically demanding.
The impact of the minimum wage is debated.
The impact of the minimum wage is heavily debated by economists.
词族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
相关
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
常见错误
It is usually singular when referring to the national rate.
Do not add 'of' between the words.
Minimum wage is legal; living wage is a suggestion for comfort.
It is a specific legal standard.
You cannot 'minimum wage' someone.
Tips
Break it down
Think 'Minimum' = Smallest, 'Wage' = Pay.
Use in context
Always pair it with 'raise' or 'earn'.
Check the news
Read headlines about 'minimum wage' to see it in action.
Noun usage
Use 'the' before it.
Slow down
Say 'min-i-mum' slowly to get all syllables.
Don't pluralize
Keep it singular when talking about the law.
Global variety
Some countries have no minimum wage at all!
Flashcards
Put 'minimum wage' on one side and the definition on the other.
Business talk
Use it when discussing labor costs.
Hyphenation
Use a hyphen when it acts as an adjective (e.g., minimum-wage job).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
MINI-mum (it's the MINI-mum amount of money).
Visual Association
A scale with a small weight on one side.
Word Web
挑战
Research the minimum wage in your country and compare it to others.
词源
Latin and Germanic
Original meaning: Smallest pledge
文化背景
Can be a sensitive topic for those struggling financially.
Highly debated in US and UK politics.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- Is this minimum wage?
- Does this job pay more than minimum wage?
In the news
- The government is raising the minimum wage.
- The minimum wage hike is controversial.
In school/university
- We are studying the minimum wage in economics.
- What is the history of the minimum wage?
Job hunting
- I am looking for a job above minimum wage.
- What is the starting pay?
Conversation Starters
"Do you think the minimum wage should be higher?"
"What was your first job, and did it pay minimum wage?"
"How does the minimum wage affect small businesses?"
"Is it possible to live on the minimum wage in your city?"
"What do you think is a 'living wage'?"
Journal Prompts
Reflect on the importance of a minimum wage for society.
Write about the challenges of living on a low income.
Imagine you are a business owner; how would a minimum wage hike affect you?
Discuss the difference between minimum wage and a fair wage.
常见问题
8 个问题No, it varies by country, state, and city.
Generally no, unless you are in a specific exempt category like an intern or tipped worker.
Wage is usually hourly; salary is a fixed annual amount.
The government (local or national).
Yes, it is adjusted periodically for inflation.
To keep up with the rising cost of living.
It is a subject of debate; it protects workers but can cost businesses more.
On your government's labor department website.
自我测试
The ___ wage is the lowest pay.
Minimum wage is the correct term.
What does minimum wage mean?
It is the lowest legal amount.
Employers can pay less than the minimum wage.
That would be illegal.
Word
意思
These are distinct economic concepts.
The minimum wage increased.
得分： /5
Summary
The minimum wage is the legal floor for pay, designed to ensure workers can afford basic needs.
- Minimum wage is the lowest legal pay.
- It is set by governments.
- It aims to protect workers.
- It is a common topic in economic debates.
Break it down
Think 'Minimum' = Smallest, 'Wage' = Pay.
Use in context
Always pair it with 'raise' or 'earn'.
Check the news
Read headlines about 'minimum wage' to see it in action.
Noun usage
Use 'the' before it.
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