Translation guide
The English verb 'earn' covers receiving money for work, gaining something through effort, and financial returns. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is earned and how.
To get money as payment for a job or labor
The most common and versatile verb for earning money through work. Can be used for salaries, side jobs, or business income.
彼は月に30万円稼いでいる。
He earns 300,000 yen a month.
副業で少し稼いでいます。
I earn a little from a side job.
A more formal verb meaning 'to obtain' or 'to gain'. Used for income in formal contexts, but less common in daily conversation than 稼ぐ.
彼はその仕事で多額の収入を得た。
He earned a large income from that job.
Literally 'to have income'. A natural way to state that someone earns money, often used when describing one's financial situation.
彼女は安定した収入がある。
She earns a steady income.
To acquire respect, trust, reputation, or a title as a result of one's actions or character
Used for abstract gains like trust, respect, or reputation. Often appears in the form 〜を得る.
彼は同僚の信頼を得た。
He earned the trust of his colleagues.
努力して名声を得た。
He earned fame through hard work.
Implies earning something through struggle or competition, like a position or right. Stronger nuance than 得る.
Means 'to deserve' or 'to be worthy of'. Used when someone has earned something through merit. Often in the form 〜に値する.
彼はその賞に値する。
He has earned that award.
To yield financial returns, such as interest on savings or profit from investments
Literally 'to give birth to', used for generating profit, interest, or returns. Common in financial contexts.
その投資は高い利回りを生んだ。
The investment earned a high yield.
預金が利息を生む。
Savings earn interest.
Also used for financial gains, but 生む is more specific to generating returns.
その取引で利益を得た。
We earned a profit from the transaction.
To support oneself financially through work
The standard phrase for 'to earn a living'. Used in both formal and informal contexts.
彼は翻訳で生計を立てている。
He earns a living as a translator.
Literally 'to keep eating', a casual way to say 'to make a living'. Implies earning enough to get by.
この仕事だけで食べていける。
I can earn a living just from this job.
稼ぐ (kasegu) is the everyday verb for earning money through work. 得る (eru) is more formal and often used for obtaining something in general, including abstract things. For 'earn a salary', 稼ぐ is natural; for 'earn a large sum' in a formal report, 得る may appear.
彼は月に50万円稼ぐ。
He earns 500,000 yen a month. (natural conversation)
彼はその事業で巨額の利益を得た。
He earned enormous profits from that business. (formal/written)
稼ぐ is only for earning money or income. For earning trust, respect, etc., use 得る or other verbs. Saying 信頼を稼ぐ is unnatural; use 信頼を得る.
信頼を得る
to earn trust
He earned that position through hard work.
Similar to 生計を立てる but slightly more literary or old-fashioned.
彼は文筆で暮らしを立てている。
He earns a living by writing.