立功

• Pinyin: lì gōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 立 = 立 (to establish/stand); 功 = 工 + 力 (merit/achievement)

Meaning

To render meritorious service; to distinguish oneself by a commendable deed; to make a contribution worthy of formal recognition or reward.

Originally a military and official term for distinguished service meriting promotion or commendation. Now also used informally when someone does something particularly helpful or praiseworthy. The corresponding negative concept is 犯错 (to commit a fault).

Examples

1. 这名侦探在破获系列大案中多次立功，荣获部门颁发的嘉奖令。 The detective distinguished himself multiple times while solving a series of major cases and received an official commendation from the department.
2. 他主动举报了违规行为，被认定为立功表现，获得从轻处理。 He took the initiative to report misconduct and was credited with meritorious service, receiving lenient treatment as a result.
3. 新员工凭借一次突破性的客户谈判，在公司内部成功立功。 The new employee distinguished himself within the company by pulling off a breakthrough client negotiation.

Usage Guide

Context: military, law, workplace, commendation

Tone: commendatory

Do Say

• 消防员在此次救灾行动中英勇立功，受到了市政府的公开表彰。(The firefighters rendered distinguished service in this disaster relief operation and received public commendation from the city government.)
• 检察机关告知嫌疑人，若能积极配合调查并提供关键线索，可被认定为立功情节。(The procuratorate informed the suspect that actively cooperating with the investigation and providing key leads could be recognised as a meritorious act.)

Don't Say

• 将'立功'用于描述普通的工作表现 — 立功暗含超出常规职责的突出贡献，一般工作成绩应用'表现良好'或'工作出色'

Origin & History

立 (to establish/accomplish) + 功 (merit/achievement/distinguished service)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal