勤劳

• Pinyin: qín láo
• Hanzi breakdown: 勤 = 堇 + 力 (diligent); 劳 = 炏 + 冖 + 力 (labour/toil)

Meaning

Hardworking; industrious; dedicated to sustained labour and persistent effort.

More elevated and formal than 勤快, often used in political rhetoric, national values discourse, and literary description. 勤劳是中华民族的传统美德 is a canonical phrase. Implies virtuous, long-term dedication to work.

Examples

1. 勤劳是中华民族代代传承的优良传统，值得每个人发扬光大。 Hard work is a fine tradition passed down through generations of the Chinese nation, and it’s something everyone should carry forward.
2. 她以勤劳和智慧，在短短几年内建立起了属于自己的事业。 With hard work and wisdom, she built her own career in just a few years.
3. 农民们日出而作、日落而息，以勤劳守护着这片深爱的土地。 The farmers work from sunrise to sunset, protecting the land they deeply love through their labor.

Usage Guide

Context: values, national identity, work ethic

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 勤劳勇敢是中华民族世代传承的核心精神品质。(Industriousness and courage are the core spiritual qualities passed down through generations of the Chinese nation.)
• 他的成功源于多年来脚踏实地的勤劳付出，绝非侥幸所得。(His success stems from years of steady, industrious effort — it was no fluke.)

Don't Say

• 他很勤劳地发了一条短信 — use 认真 or 仔细 for small careful actions; 勤劳 implies sustained, virtuous toil, not trivial everyday tasks

Origin & History

勤 (diligent) + 劳 (labour/toil) — diligent, sustained labour

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal