功劳

• Pinyin: gōng láo
• Hanzi breakdown: 功 = achievement; 劳 = 力 (strength/effort) + 荣 (flourishing) — labour that yields merit

Meaning

Contribution; credit; meritorious service. The recognition or reward due to someone for their valuable effort or achievement.

Emphasises the credit or recognition earned rather than the act itself. The phrase 没有功劳也有苦劳 (even if there's no merit, at least there's hard work) is a common consolation. Used for both formal commendation and everyday acknowledgment. Collocates with 记 (to credit), 归 (to attribute to), and 抹杀 (to erase/deny).

Examples

1. 公司走到今天，少不了每一位员工默默付出的功劳。 The company wouldn’t be where it is today without the quiet contributions of every employee.
2. 他谦虚地把功劳归于整个团队，丝毫没有居功自傲的意思。 He modestly credited the entire team, with no hint of taking the credit and acting proud.
3. 没有功劳也有苦劳，她的付出大家都看在眼里。 Even if she doesn’t have major achievements to her name, she’s worked hard—and everyone has seen her effort.

Usage Guide

Context: work, achievement, credit, team dynamics

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 这次项目顺利完成，你的功劳最大。(You deserve the most credit for the successful completion of this project.)
• 老前辈为公司奠定根基，功劳不可磨灭。(The veteran laid the foundation of the company — their contributions are indelible.)

Don't Say

• 将'功劳'与'成绩'完全混用 — 功劳 emphasises credit deserved for effort or contribution; 成绩 refers to results or grades; they are not interchangeable

Origin & History

功 (merit/achievement) + 劳 (effort; toil; labour)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal