WHICH WORD?

to win ... to earn

---

You win games!

to win

Be 1st in a competition such as a tennis match or track and field event.  Think "game".

---

You earn money.

to earn

Think "work to get money" or "study to get a diploma."   You have to sweat!  

---

PROBLEM:

• You say:  "Can you win a lot of money working in China?"     <- WRONG
  
  
• You should say: "Can you earn (make) a lot of money working in China?"
  
  
• You win a game or contest.
  
  
• You earn money.
  ​
• When speaking of money use “to earn or to make”

​

---

EXAMPLES:  to earn

1. How much you earn usually depends on your experience and education.
   ​
2. He earned a lot of money working in the oil fields in Brazil.
   ​
3. English teachers working at an English school won't earn a lot.
   ​
4. It isn’t easy to earn a good living in Brazil.
   ​

EXAMPLES:  to win

1. Who won the football match last night?   Santos or São Paulo?
   ​
2. If you win the poker game, you buy the beer!
   ​
3. He goes to Las Vegas every year, but has never won a lot of money.  In fact, he has lost a lot of money.
   
   
4. He will win a good salary working in IT in Banglahore.  <-- WRONG

---

NOTE:  “to make” money is also widely used.  

• “He doesn’t make much money working at McDonalds.”
• How much did you make last year?      Just over US$ 45,000​.