make a living
To earn enough income to support oneself and, if applicable, one's familyTo earn enough income to support oneself and, if applicable, one's family.
» He makes his living by singing.
Er verdient seinen Lebensunterhalt mit Singen. — Pfirsichbaeumchen
Он зарабатывает на жизнь пением. — marafon
Він заробляє на життя співами. — aandrusiak
CK · Tatoeba · CC BY 2.0 FRMeaning
2 sensesTo earn enough income to support oneself and, if applicable, one's family.
зараба́тывать на жизньzarabátyvatʹ na žiznʹ, зарабо́тать на жизньzarabótatʹ na žiznʹ
To manage to find enough food to survive.
Examples
140 sentencesHe makes his living by singing.
Він заробляє на життя співами. — aandrusiak
ruОн зарабатывает на жизнь пением. — marafon
deEr verdient seinen Lebensunterhalt mit Singen. — Pfirsichbaeumchen
Tom makes a living as a writer.
Том заробляє на життя письмеництвом. — deniko
ruТом зарабатывает себе на жизнь писательством. — marafon
Tom makes a good living.
Том добре заробляє. — deniko
ruТом хорошо зарабатывает. — odexed
deTom verdient gut. — Felixjp
Tom couldn't make a living as a musician.
Том не зумів заробити собі на життя, будучи музикантом. — deniko
ruТом, будучи музыкантом, не мог свести концы с концами. — Ivanovb
I make a living playing music.
ruЯ зарабатываю на жизнь музыкой. — odexed
Translations
6 languagesBy meaning 1
Forms
makes a living, making a living, made a living, made a living| Base form | make a living · to make a living |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | makes a living |
| Present participle | making a living |
| Past simple | made a living |
| Past participle | made a living |
irregular · Lesson
Synonyms
9 synonymsWord family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, irregular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle