养家活口 make a living; support a family
Explanation
维持一家人的基本生活，指赚钱养活家人。
To maintain the basic life of a family, referring to earning money to support family members.
Origin Story
老张是一位普通的农民，他家住在偏远的山区。他每天清晨就起床，去田里劳作。春耕秋收，风里来雨里去，辛勤地耕耘着他的土地。他种的庄稼并不多，只能勉强养家活口。他的妻子身体不好，经常生病，医药费是一笔不小的开支。他的孩子正读小学，学费和生活费也是一笔不小的开支。尽管生活很艰难，老张却从未放弃努力。他相信只要自己肯努力，总有一天会过上好日子的。为了养家活口，老张总是尽自己最大的努力。他经常加班加点，做一些农活以外的零工，比如帮村里人修理家电，或者去镇上打短工。他很节俭，从不乱花钱。他的衣服都是穿了好几年的旧衣服，鞋子也都是补了又补的。老张一家人的生活虽然清贫，却很温馨。他们互相鼓励，互相帮助，共同克服生活中的困难。
Old Zhang was an ordinary farmer, living with his family in a remote mountain area. Every morning, he got up early and went to work in the fields. Spring ploughing and autumn harvest, he toiled diligently on his land, come what may. His crops were not plentiful, barely enough to make ends meet. His wife was often unwell and medical expenses were a significant burden. His child was in primary school, with tuition fees and living expenses adding to the strain. Despite the hardships, Old Zhang never gave up hope. He believed that as long as he worked hard, one day he would have a better life. To support his family, Old Zhang always did his best. He often worked overtime and took on odd jobs in addition to farming, such as repairing household appliances for villagers or working short-term jobs in town. He was thrifty and never spent money carelessly. His clothes were old and worn, his shoes patched and re-patched. Though poor, the Zhang family's life was warm and loving. They encouraged each other, helped each other, and overcame life's difficulties together.
Usage
通常用于描述为了维持家庭生计而努力工作的情况。
Usually used to describe the situation of working hard to make a living for the family.
Examples
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为了养家活口，他每天起早贪黑地工作。
wèile yǎng jiā huó kǒu, tā měitiān qǐ zǎo tānhēi de gōngzuò.
To make ends meet, he works from dawn till dusk every day.
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他靠打零工养家活口。
tā kào dǎ línggōng yǎng jiā huó kǒu.
He makes a living by doing odd jobs.
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为了养家活口，他不得不兼职。
wèile yǎng jiā huó kǒu, tā bùdébù jiānzhí
He has to work part-time to support his family.