勤快

• Pinyin: qín kuai
• Hanzi breakdown: 勤 = 堇 + 力 (diligent); 快 = 忄(heart) + 夬 (swift/pleased)

Meaning

Diligent and nimble; quick and hardworking in completing tasks, with a readiness to take initiative.

Slightly more casual than 勤劳. Used in everyday praise to describe someone who is not only hardworking but also efficient and quick to act. Particularly common in domestic or service-oriented contexts.

Examples

1. 这孩子从小就很勤快，从不需要大人催促就主动做家务。 This kid has been really industrious since childhood, always doing chores without needing adults to push him.
2. 新来的员工手脚勤快，很快赢得了同事们一致好评。 The new employee is quick and hardworking, and he soon earned unanimous praise from his coworkers.
3. 她在工作中总是最勤快的那一个，从不偷懒懈怠。 She’s always the most hardworking one at work and never slacks off.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, work, praise

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 她是个勤快人，家里家外都打理得井井有条，令人钦佩。(She is an industrious person who keeps both home and work in perfect order — truly admirable.)
• 年轻人要勤快一些，别总是坐等机会自动送上门来。(Young people should be more proactive and diligent; don't just sit around waiting for opportunities to land in your lap.)

Don't Say

• 这份研究报告非常勤快 — use 严谨 or 详尽 for thorough academic work; 勤快 describes a person's behaviour, not an abstract work product

Origin & History

勤 (diligent) + 快 (fast/swift) — diligently swift in completing tasks

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal