Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| fleißig | /ˈflaɪ̯sɪç/ /ˈflaɪ̯sɪk/ |
| arbeitsam | /ˈaʁbaɪ̯tzaːm/ /ˈaʁbaɪ̯tzam/ |
| eifrig | /ˈaɪ̯fʁɪç/ /ˈaɪ̯fʁɪk/ |
| sorgfältig | /ˈzɔʁkˌfɛl.tɪç/ /ˈzɔʁç-/ (Northern, also) |
| tüchtig | [ˈtʏç.tɪç] (narrow) |
| betriebsam | [bəˈtʁiːpzaːm] (narrow) [bəˈtʁiːpzam] (narrow) |
The most common and versatile way to describe someone who works hard, whether they are a student, an employee or a child doing homework, is to use fleißig.
Which one should you use?
While fleißig focuses on the amount of effort or work being put in, sorgfältig is used when you want to emphasize being careful or meticulous to avoid mistakes. If you want to describe someone's enthusiastic or keen attitude toward a task, use eifrig. To emphasize that someone is capable and gets a job done effectively rather than just focusing on the effort expended, use tüchtig. Other related terms include arbeitsam and betriebsam.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, fleißig takes various endings depending on the gender, number and case of the noun it modifies, such as ein fleißiger Student or die fleißige Frau.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈflaɪ̯sɪç/
Did you know?
- While fleißig is a compliment in most contexts, saying fleißig to a colleague in a sarcastic tone is a common way to mock someone who is trying too hard or being a 'teacher's pet'.
- In German culture, the concept of Fleiß (diligence) is often paired with Pünktlichkeit (punctuality) as a dual moral virtue, whereas English often treats 'diligence' more as an individual work ethic.
- The adjective sorgfältig is built from the noun Sorge, which means 'worry' or 'care'. To be 'diligent' in this sense literally means being 'full of care' or 'full of worry' regarding a task.
Examples in context
- Sie pflegte fleißig zu sein.She used to be diligent.This sentence shows how to describe a past habit of being fleißig.Tatoeba #8059450 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #315395 by CK
- Er ist kein fleißiger Student.He isn't a diligent student.This sentence shows the use of fleißig as an adjective modifying a noun.Tatoeba #3972000 by Dani6187, translation #295411 by CM
- Man kann nicht fleißig genug sein.You cannot be too diligent.This sentence uses fleißig to express that one cannot be too industrious.Tatoeba #765116 by Manfredo, translation #36740 by Delian
- Ich schätze deine fleißige Arbeit an diesem Projekt.I appreciate your diligent work on this project.
- Seine gewissenhafte Prüfungsvorbereitung hat sich gelohnt.His diligent preparation for the exam paid off.
- Sie ist eine strebsame Schülerin, die stets ihr Bestes gibt.She is a diligent student who always puts in her best effort.
- Er ist ein echtes Fleißbienchen, immer im Büro am herumsummen.He is such a diligent worker, always buzzing around the office.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are talking about their studies.
- SarahBist du heute wieder so fleißig?Are you being so hard-working again today?
- JulianJa, ich muss die Prüfung bestehen.Yes, I have to pass the exam.
- SarahDas ist gut, Julian. Ich bewundere das.That is good, Julian. I admire that.
- JulianDanke, Sarah. Ich versuche mein Bestes.Thanks, Sarah. I am trying my best.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “diligent” translations and entries fleißig, arbeitsam, eifrig, sorgfältig, tüchtig, betriebsam, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arbeitsam, eifrig, fleißig, sorgfältig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
