Today’s Episode
Every year, millions of young Chinese leave their hometowns to chase dreams in mega cities like Beijing and Shanghai. No family, no home, just hard work and uncertainty. Why do they do it? And what is life really like as a “漂” (drifter)? Let’s dive into their world!
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大家好，欢迎回来MaoMi Chinese。你有没有想过，离开家乡，去一个新的的城市生活是什么感觉？在中国，每年都有很多的年轻人离开家乡，去大城市找工作。他们在这些大城市没有家人，没有自己的房子，生活压力很大，所以人们叫他们“漂”。比如，在北京生活和工作的年轻人叫“北漂”，在上海的叫“沪漂”，因为上海也叫“沪”。在深圳的叫“深漂”，在香港的叫“港漂”。今天，我们就来聊一聊“漂”这个词的意思，也聊一聊这些年轻人的生活是什么样的。
“漂”这个字的意思是“漂浮”，比如“漂在水上”——就是在水上浮着。在中国，大城市的生活很快，房租贵，竞争大，很多外地人虽然在这里工作，但没有家的感觉，就像水上漂的叶子，不知道未来会去哪里。所以，大家用“漂”来说这些年轻人的生活。
为什么这些年轻人想要离开家乡，去大城市“漂”呢？
有的人是因为工作机会。在小城市，好的工作不多，工资也比较低。大城市有很多公司，工资高，机会多。很多年轻人希望能找到一份好工作，赚更多的钱，给自己和家人更好的生活。
还有的人是因为自由。在家乡，家人和邻居都认识你，大家会关心你的生活，会问你工作赚多少钱，打算什么时候结婚，什么时候生孩子，有时候会给你压力。而在大城市，没人管你，你可以做自己喜欢的事情。
但是，在大城市“漂”也不容易。
首先是房子。大城市的房租很贵，在市中心租一个小房间，一个月可能要几千元。一些年轻人，工资的一半都付了房租。为了省钱，一些年轻人会合租，也就是和别人一起租房子。有时候，合租的人没有礼貌，或者很吵，这都给年轻人很多压力。
然后是工作压力。在大城市的公司里工作很累。很多年轻人每天要工作十几个小时，也经常加班。所以，“漂”在大城市的人，每天都要努力工作，才能留下来。
你怎么看呢？如果你有机会，你想去大城市“漂”吗？还是你更喜欢家乡的生活？欢迎给我们留言，和我们分享哦！
Hello everyone, and welcome back to MaoMi Chinese. Have you ever thought about what it would feel like to leave your hometown and start a new life in a different city? In China, every year, many young people leave their hometowns to look for jobs in big cities. In these cities, they have no family, no home of their own, and face a lot of pressure in life. Because of this, people call them “漂” (piāo), which means “floating.”
For example, young people who live and work in Beijing are called “北漂” (Běipiāo), those in Shanghai are called “沪漂” (Hùpiāo), because Shanghai is also known as “沪” (Hù). In Shenzhen, they are called “深漂” (Shēnpiāo), and in Hong Kong, they are “港漂” (Gǎngpiāo). Today, we’re going to talk about what the word “漂” means and what life is like for these young people.
The original meaning of “漂” is “to float,” like a leaf floating on water. Life in big Chinese cities moves very fast. Rent is expensive, competition is fierce, and although many people from other places work there, they don’t feel at home. They are like leaves floating on water, unsure of where they will go in the future. That’s why people use “漂” to describe their way of life.
But why do so many young people choose to leave their hometowns and “漂” in big cities?
For some, it’s about job opportunities. In smaller cities, there are fewer good jobs, and salaries tend to be lower. Big cities have many companies, higher wages, and better chances for career growth. Many young people hope to find a good job, earn more money, and provide a better life for themselves and their families.
For others, it’s about freedom. In their hometowns, everyone knows each other. Family members and neighbours often ask about their lives—how much they earn, when they plan to get married, when they’ll have children. Sometimes, this kind of attention brings a lot of pressure. But in a big city, nobody asks these questions. They are free to live life however they want.
However, life as a “漂” is not easy.
The biggest challenge is housing. Rent in big cities is very expensive. A small room in the city centre can cost thousands of yuan per month. Some young people spend half their salary just on rent. To save money, many choose to share a flat with others. But sometimes, their flatmates are rude, noisy, or difficult to live with, which adds to their stress.
Then there’s the pressure of work. Jobs in big cities are demanding. Many young people work more than ten hours a day and often have to work overtime. To survive in a big city, they must work hard every single day.
What do you think? If you had the chance, would you like to “漂” in a big city, or do you prefer the stability of life in your hometown? Leave us a comment and share your thoughts!
我很喜欢 “后来的我们” 这部电影。在英文里这部电影叫 ”Us and Them”.
这是一个关于两个办到北京工作的年轻人的故事。他们是“北漂”。
“Drifters” is probably a good description of such people。That used to be very common expression in the USA especially.
这两个年轻人的经历和你的博客内容都一样。
找到好工作很不容易；因为找房子的问题他们合租；每一年的春节他们回家乡过年团圆，然后会去北京孤单的生活。
我也有跟这个故事一样，我还上大学，每年暑假时我离开我的家乡去开罗找工作，参加中文课程，这些给我带来很大的压力。同时给我带来很大的经验，因为我每天遇到很多困难，比如吵架跟合租的人，房东。学期开始之前我回家乡休息然后去宿舍开始上大学。