耕耘 gēngyún plowing and weeding
plowing and weeding; farm work; figuratively to work or study diligently
How to remember 耕耘: 耕 to plow + 耘 to weed = plowing and weeding.
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How it is used
- Literally plowing and weeding, but mostly figurative 'to toil diligently' - 辛勤耕耘 (xīnqín gēngyún) to work hard and steadily.
- Praises patient, long-term effort in a field (teaching, research, art), often paired with 收获 (shōuhuò, harvest/reward).
- Elevated, appreciative register; 一分耕耘,一分收获 (yī fēn gēngyún, yī fēn shōuhuò) you reap what you sow.