效率

• Pinyin: xiào lǜ
• Hanzi breakdown: 效 = 爻 (lines/pattern) + 攵 (action) — effect, result; 率 = 幺 (small) + 十 (ten) + 幺 — rate, proportion

Meaning

Efficiency; the ratio of useful output to total input; the effectiveness of achieving results with minimal wasted effort.

A key concept in modern Chinese professional and educational life. 提高效率 (improve efficiency) is a very common phrase in workplaces. Associated with productivity culture and time management. Opposite: 低效率 (low efficiency) or 浪费时间 (wasting time). Frequently discussed in business and academic contexts.

Examples

1. 良好的工作习惯能大大提高工作效率。 Good work habits can greatly improve work efficiency.
2. 这套新系统让整个流程的效率提高了三倍。 This new system has improved the efficiency of the entire process threefold.
3. 她工作效率很高，总能提前完成任务。 She is highly efficient at work and always completes tasks ahead of schedule.

Usage Guide

Context: work, business, education

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我们需要想办法提高团队的工作效率。(We need to find ways to improve the team's work efficiency.)
• 合理安排时间可以大幅提升学习效率。(Organising time wisely can greatly improve learning efficiency.)

Don't Say

• 把效率和效果混淆。(Don't confuse 效率 (efficiency — doing things with minimal waste) with 效果 (effect/result — the outcome achieved); they describe different aspects of performance.)

Origin & History

Compound of 效 (effect/result) and 率 (rate/ratio), meaning 'the rate of achieving effective results.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal