Definition
拾荒 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to scavenge for recyclable waste or scrap'. The verb 拾 and the object 荒 can split when inserting aspect markers, measure words, or durations — for example, 拾了三年荒 ('scavenged for three years'). It typically describes people who collect discarded items to earn a living or recycle materials.
v.o.
to scavenge (for recyclable waste or scrap)to collect discarded items for reuse or sale
Examples
- 拾荒。Tā měitiān zài jiē shàng shí huāng.He scavenges on the streets every day.
- 拾荒。shí huāng shì yì zhǒng hěn xīnkǔ de gōngzuò.Scavenging is a very hard job.
- ，。Tā shí le shí nián huāng, zhōngyú cún gòu le qián.He scavenged for ten years and finally saved enough money.
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