unstable job; insecure employment
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
unstable job; insecure employment; fragile career
neutralA metaphorical term contrasting with 'iron rice bowl' (铁饭碗), which refers to a stable, lifelong job like in state-owned enterprises. Often used to describe contract work, freelance positions, or jobs in the private sector with less security.
Xiàn现
zài在
hěn很
duō多
rén人
gàn干
de的
dōu都
shì是
ní泥
fàn饭
wǎn碗
，
děi得
bù不
tíng停
de地
zhǎo找
gōng工
zuò作
。
Many people nowadays have unstable jobs and have to constantly look for work.
Sī私
yíng营
qǐ企
yè业
de的
gōng工
zuò作
cháng常
bèi被
kàn看
zuò作
ní泥
fàn饭
wǎn碗
。
Jobs in private enterprises are often seen as insecure.
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Tā他
fàng放
qì弃
le了
tiě铁
fàn饭
wǎn碗
，
xuǎn选
zé择
le了
gèng更
yǒu有
tiǎo挑
zhàn战
xìng性
dàn但
yě也
gèng更
bù不
wěn稳
dìng定
de的
ní泥
fàn饭
wǎn碗
。
He gave up the iron rice bowl and chose a more challenging but also more unstable job.