living wage

IPA/ˌlɪvɪŋ ˈweɪdʒ/
IPA/ˌlɪvɪŋ ˈweɪdʒ/

living wage — noun

1. the minimum amount of money a worker must earn from their job in order to afford

1.名詞B2
釋義

the minimum amount of money a worker must earn from their job in order to afford basic living costs such as food, housing, clothing, and medical care

例句

Nadia works two jobs but still does not earn a living wage in this city.

collocation: earn a living wage

The city council voted last month to guarantee a living wage for all public employees.

collocation: guarantee a living wage

同義詞
  • fair wage

    focuses on what is morally fair rather than what covers basic needs

  • subsistence wage

    narrower — only enough for bare survival, without room for comfort or savings

  • decent wage

    broader — implies a wage that allows a comfortable, dignified life

反義詞

用法筆記

Frequently used in discussions of labour policy. Can be modified by adjectives such as fair, decent, full, or real to indicate a more generous standard. Contrast with minimum wage, which is the legal lowest amount and may be less than what counts as a living wage.

常見錯誤

❌I think the government should raise the living wage.
✅I think the government should raise the minimum wage.
💡living wage is a concept or goal, not a legally set number; minimum wage is the legal floor set by law.
❌My living wage is $15 per hour.
✅My employer pays a living wage of $15 per hour.
💡a living wage is a general standard, not a personal salary figure.