Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 勤勉 | qínmiǎn |
| 勤 | qín |
| 勤勞 / 勤劳 | qínláo |
| 勤奮 / 勤奋 | qínfèn |
| 耐勞 / 耐劳 | nàiláo |
| 刻苦 | kèkǔ |
| 努力 | nǔlì |
| 勤苦 | qínkǔ |
| 用功 | yònggōng |
Hardworking refers to someone taking their work seriously and doing it well and rapidly. Various Chinese forms specify different nuances of this concept. For instance, 用功 is specifically used for students who study hard. 刻苦 implies a level of hardworking that involves enduring physical or mental hardship or suffering. 勤劳 is often used to describe a person's general nature or a group of people (like a nation or a community) being industrious. 努力 is the most common and versatile term, often used to describe making an effort toward a goal, whereas the others are more specific to character traits.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 耐劳 literally combines 'endure' (耐) and 'labor' (劳), describing someone who is capable of heavy or strenuous work.
Which one should you use?
While all these terms mean hardworking, 用功 is specifically used for students who study hard and 刻苦 implies a level of hardworking that involves enduring physical or mental hardship or suffering. 勤劳 is often used to describe a person's general nature or a group of people (like a nation or a community) being industrious, while 努力 is the most common and versatile term, often used to describe making an effort toward a goal.
How does it change in a sentence?
勤奋 is frequently used as an adjective to describe a person's character or a student's attitude toward learning.
How do you pronounce it?
qínmiǎn
Did you know?
- The term 刻苦 contains the character for 'carve' or 'engrave', suggesting that being hardworking is akin to carving or sculpting one's character through hardship.
- In many Chinese contexts, being 'hardworking' is not just a compliment but a fundamental moral expectation linked to social responsibility.
- The character 勤 is built from the component 力, which means 'strength' or 'power'. This visually links the concept of being hardworking to the physical application of force.
Examples in context
- 他比您更刻苦。He's even more hardworking than you are.This sentence is useful for comparing levels of hard work using 刻苦.Tatoeba #2353494 by GlossaMatik, translation #2353493 by FeuDRenais2
- 中国人民非常勤劳。The Chinese people are exceptionally hardworking.This sentence is useful for describing the hardworking nature of a group using 勤.Tatoeba #426379 by fucongcong, translation #452813 by FeuDRenais
- 小明勤奋刻苦，总能取得优异的成绩。Xiao Ming is hardworking and diligent, always achieving excellent results.
- 他是一个勤勉的员工。Tā shì yīgè qínmiǎn de yuángōng.He is a hardworking employee.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new employee.
- 雨婷 Yuting你觉得新来的同事怎么样？Nǐ juéde xīn lái de tóngshì zěnmeyàng?What do you think of the new colleague?
- 俊杰 Junjie他非常勤勉，做事很认真。Tā fēicháng qínmiǎn, zuòshì hěn rènzhēn.He is very hardworking and does things seriously.
- 雨婷 Yuting看来他能很快适应这里。Kànlái tā néng hěn kuài shìyìng zhèlǐ.It seems he can adapt here very quickly.
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，大家都很喜欢他。Shì de, dàjiā dōu hěn xǐhuān tā.Yes, everyone likes him very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hardworking” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 勤, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
