用功 yònggōng diligent
diligent; industrious (in one's studies); to study hard; to make great effort
How to remember 用功: 用 to use (Kangxi radical 101) + 功 achievement = diligent.
Characters
How it is used
- To study hard / be diligent - specifically about schoolwork - 他学习很用功 (tā xuéxí hěn yònggōng) he studies very diligently.
- Narrower than 努力 (nǔlì, work hard at anything): 用功 is tied to studying and effort put into learning.
- Common describing students; can be verb or adjective.
Example sentences
- 他后悔在校时没用功读书。 Tā hòuhuǐ zàixiào shí méi yònggōngdúshū.He regrets not having worked harder at school.