勤奋 qínfèn hardworking
hardworking; diligent
How to remember 勤奋: 勤 diligent + 奋 strive = hardworking.
Characters
How it is used
- Diligent / hardworking, as a praised character trait - 学习勤奋 (xuéxí qínfèn) diligent in study; 勤奋的学生 (qínfèn de xuésheng) a hardworking student.
- Positive and slightly formal, used in reports and praise; the more colloquial near-synonym is 用功 (yònggōng, studious), which is narrower (usually about study).
- Contrast 努力 (nǔlì), which is 'to make effort' on a specific task; 勤奋 describes a steady, habitual disposition.
Example sentences
- 他不但聪明还很勤奋。 Tā búdàn cōngmíng hái hěn qínfèn.He is not only smart but also industrious.
- 你工作太勤奋了。休息一会吧。 Nǐ gōngzuò tài qínfèn le.xiūxī yīhuì ba.You're working too hard. Take it easy for a while.
- 我们经常听说日本人工作勤奋。 Wǒmen jīngcháng tīngshuō rìběn rén gōngzuòqínfèn.We often hear it said that the Japanese are good workers.