本分 běnfèn one's part
(to play) one's part; one's role; one's duty; (to stay within) one's bounds; dutiful; keeping to one's role
How to remember 本分: 本 source + 分 divide = one's part.
Characters
How it is used
- 'One's proper duty/role; dutiful' - 尽本分 (jìn běnfèn) to do one's duty; 安分守己/本分做人 to keep to one's place.
- As an adjective, 本分 praises someone honest and content within their bounds.
- Carries a moral flavor of not overstepping or being greedy.