本分

• Pinyin: běn fèn
• Hanzi breakdown: 本 = 木 + 一 (tree root — fundamental); 分 = 刀 + 八 (divide — one's allotted portion/role)

Meaning

One's duty, proper role, or obligations within a social or professional position; honest and content with one's lot in life.

Can function as a noun referring to one's proper obligations (做好本分) or as an adjective describing a person who is humble, honest, and not overreaching. Carries a strong Confucian undertone of fulfilling one's designated role without complaint.

Examples

1. 作为一名教师，认真备课、耐心授业是最基本的本分。 As a teacher, careful lesson preparation and patient instruction are the most basic responsibilities.
2. 他为人本分，从不争名夺利，赢得了同事的普遍尊重。 He’s honest and dutiful, never chasing fame or profit, and he has earned widespread respect from his colleagues.
3. 领导者应当恪守本分，以身作则，而非以权谋私。 Leaders should stay true to their responsibilities and lead by example, rather than abusing their power for personal gain.

Usage Guide

Context: ethics, work, social roles

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 每个岗位上的人都应该尽到自己的本分，这样整个组织才能有序运转。(Everyone in their position should fulfil their own duties so that the entire organisation can operate in an orderly manner.)
• 她不追求晋升，只求把本分内的事做到最好。(She does not pursue promotion; she only seeks to do her assigned duties as well as possible.)

Don't Say

• 这不是我的本分，我不管 — while grammatically correct, this phrasing sounds like shirking responsibility; prefer 这超出了我的职责范围 in professional contexts

Origin & History

本 (root/original/fundamental) + 分 (portion/duty/role)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal