靠…为生
to make a living by; to live by
Structure
主语 靠 手艺／工作 为生
What it means
'To make a living by, to live by': names how someone earns a living, usually a trade or a kind of work. 为 is wéi here, and 为生 means 'to make a living'.
How it is built
Subject + 靠 + trade or work + 为生: 在这个海边小村，人们几百年来都靠打鱼为生 (In this seaside village, people have lived by fishing for centuries).
When to use it
A little formal. In speech people also say 靠…吃饭 or 靠…养家; the written twin is 以…为生 (以打鱼为生).
Watch out
为生 ends the phrase and takes no object: ✗靠为生按摩 ✓靠按摩为生. Don't read 为 as 为了 (wèile, for the sake of).
Examples
刘梅靠按摩为生，已经二十多年了。
Liu Mei has made her living from massage for more than twenty years.
在这个海边小村，人们几百年来都靠打鱼为生。
In this little seaside village, people have lived by fishing for centuries.
他辞职以后靠写小说为生，收入时多时少。
Since he gave up his job he has lived by writing novels, and his income goes up and down.
Learn this in Lesson 164 · HSK 7–9: 看不见的世界 (A world without sight)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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