Popular Chinese Words: Bailing

by Caren Zuo

The白领 (bailing) was the first of being popular in mid 1990’s. Now their monthly salary may vary from 3000 to 8000. When it was first coined, it implies a higher level in social stratum than today. In mid 1990s, there are titles such as worker, peasant, teacher, boss, officials. A bailing means a high salary. A 3000-yuan-per month salary is quite enviable at that time, which is much higher than most of worker, teacher, and officials (If they don’t accept bribery). At the same time, the bailing means a well-educated background. A laoban usually has a much higher salary than a Bailing, but they are imprinted the marks of 暴发户（baofahu）. When China start its reform from 1989, the first batch of people who are little-educated were more aggressive in trying to find a better way to earn money because they have nothing.

Later, bailing seemed not so as attractive as before. Every one who engaged in mental labor can be called a bailing, even though he is always making a hard living with a meager income. Then 穷白领（qiongbailing）was coined and many bailings loved to used it to show that they are only an employee and not as wealthy as people thought. At the same time, the 金领（jinling）was created to address those who actually have good job, good income.

Examples:

I

老张的女儿买下了朝阳园小区的一套公寓。

小白：“哇，朝阳园，那可是卖给老外的公寓啊。您女儿真有钱。”

老张：“有什么钱啊，穷白领罢了。”

II

上海女孩的择偶标准：

如果他月薪5000以下，穷鬼一个，养活自己都不够，绝对不能嫁！

月薪5000以上1万以下的是穷白领, 他们领得钱不多却天天忙得加班，忙得连休息去玩的时间都没有，更不懂得情调了。也不能嫁！

如果他月收入2万以上，有两套以上的房子，并且没有任何负债，那应该算个中产了。姐妹们，这样的人才可以嫁！