勤奋

• Pinyin: qín fèn
• Hanzi breakdown: 勤 = 堇 + 力 (strength), diligent; 奋 = 大 + 田, to exert/strive

Meaning

Diligent; hardworking; industrious. Showing careful and persistent effort.

A highly valued trait in Chinese culture. Related: 勤劳 (hardworking, often physical labor), 勤勉 (diligent, more formal). Common phrase: 勤奋学习 (study diligently).

Examples

1. 她是班上最勤奋的学生。 She is the most diligent student in the class.
2. 勤奋努力是成功的关键。 Being diligent and hardworking is the key to success.
3. 他虽然不是最聪明的，但非常勤奋。 Although he's not the smartest, he's very hardworking.

Usage Guide

Context: education, work, praise

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 你要更勤奋一些。(You need to be more diligent.)
• 勤奋的人总会有回报。(Hardworking people always get rewarded.)

Don't Say

• 他勤奋地玩游戏。(勤奋 implies productive effort — use 专注地 for focused gaming)

Origin & History

勤 (qín, diligent) + 奋 (fèn, to exert). Diligent and exerting effort.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal