以笔代耕
yǐ​bǐ​dài​gēng

to make a living by writing

  1. 以 yǐ preposition
    by means of
    to use; by means of; with; using the tool or method introduced
  2. 笔 筆 bǐ noun
    pen
    writing or drawing instrument; pen; pencil; writing brush
  3. 代 dài prepositionverb
    to substitute
    to take the place of; to act on behalf of another; to replace
  4. 耕 gēng
    to work in a field
    to engage in a specific profession or intellectual pursuit, often used metaphorically for teaching or writing