National Living Wage

Formal Neutral

What it really means

The legal minimum hourly rate for workers aged 21 and over — a higher band of the minimum wage system, despite the different name. The rate rises most Aprils; the current figure is on GOV.UK.

Chinese explanation

国家生活工资：21岁及以上员工的法定最低时薪——虽然名字不同，其实是最低工资体系中较高的一档。费率通常每年4月上调，当前数额见GOV.UK。

Example conversation

A: I just turned twenty-one — does my pay change? B: Yes, you move up to the National Living Wage rate. Your employer should adjust it automatically.

A：我刚满21岁——工资会变吗？ B：会，你升到国家生活工资档。雇主应该自动给你调。

What you could say back

“I'll check my next payslip to make sure it changed.”

Related phrases

National Minimum Wage Real Living Wage Payslip

Official sources

Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.

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Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team · Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake