勤勤恳恳
Diligent and earnest
Littéralement: Diligent, diligent, sincere, sincere
Use it to praise someone's long-term, steady dedication and honest character in work or life.
En 15 secondes
- Describes someone who is both hardworking and deeply sincere.
- Used to praise reliable people who work without complaining.
- Combines the concepts of industriousness and earnestness.
Signification
This phrase describes someone who works incredibly hard and stays grounded. It is about being both a 'busy bee' and a 'reliable rock' at the same time.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Praising a dedicated teacher
王老师在学校勤勤恳恳工作了三十年。
Teacher Wang has worked diligently and earnestly at the school for thirty years.
Expressing gratitude to a parent
爸爸总是勤勤恳恳地为这个家付出。
Dad always works hard and earnestly for this family.
Writing a recommendation letter
他在项目中勤勤恳恳，是一个非常可靠的人。
He was diligent and earnest in the project; he is a very reliable person.
Contexte culturel
This expression embodies the traditional Chinese value of the 'Ox' spirit, prioritizing steady labor over flashy results. It emphasizes 'sincerity' (恳) as much as 'diligence' (勤), suggesting that true work must come from an honest heart. It remains a staple in Chinese workplace culture for praising long-term dedication.
The 'AABB' Pattern
This phrase follows the AABB pattern (`勤` -> `勤勤`). This repetition makes the adjective feel much stronger and more descriptive in Chinese.
Don't use for 'Smart' work
If you want to say someone is clever or efficient, use `聪明` or `高效`. `勤勤恳恳` is strictly about the 'grind' and the heart.
En 15 secondes
- Describes someone who is both hardworking and deeply sincere.
- Used to praise reliable people who work without complaining.
- Combines the concepts of industriousness and earnestness.
What It Means
勤勤恳恳 (qín qín kěn kěn) is the ultimate compliment for a hard worker. It describes someone who is tireless and deeply sincere. The first half, 勤, means industrious or diligent. The second half, 恳, means earnest or heartfelt. When you double them up, the meaning intensifies. It is not just about being busy. It is about working with a pure heart and zero complaints. Think of that one person who always gets the job done without seeking the spotlight.
How To Use It
You usually use this phrase as an adjective or an adverb. You can say someone is a 勤勤恳恳 worker. Or you can say they work 勤勤恳恳. It often follows the word 地 when describing an action. For example, 'He 勤勤恳恳地 worked for twenty years.' It sounds very rhythmic and stable. It is like the steady beat of a drum. It feels solid and dependable when you say it out loud.
When To Use It
Use this when you want to show genuine respect. It is perfect for a retirement speech or a performance review. You can use it to describe a parent who sacrificed a lot. Use it for a teammate who stays late every single night. It is great for praising someone's character, not just their output. It works well in professional emails and heartfelt letters alike. If someone is the 'backbone' of a project, this is your phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for 'lazy' or 'smart' work. If someone finished a task in five minutes using a shortcut, this does not fit. It is not for 'flashy' success or sudden bursts of energy. Avoid using it for hobbies that are purely for fun. You would not say you are 勤勤恳恳 at playing video games. That would sound like you are treating Minecraft like a grueling 9-to-5 job! Also, avoid it if you want to sound edgy or cool.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, labor is a virtue. This phrase reflects the Confucian ideal of the 'silent worker.' There is a deep respect for those who contribute without making a fuss. Historically, it was often used to describe farmers or teachers. These are roles that require daily, repetitive, and honest effort. It represents the 'Ox' spirit—steady, strong, and humble. Even today, being called 勤勤恳恳 is a badge of honor for many.
Common Variations
You might hear 兢兢业业 (jīng jīng yè yè) as a close cousin. That one focuses more on being cautious and professional. Another is 任劳任怨 (rèn láo rèn yuàn). That means working hard and taking criticism without complaining. 勤勤恳恳 is the most 'all-purpose' of the bunch. It covers both the effort and the attitude perfectly. It is the gold standard for describing a reliable person.
Notes d'usage
This is a neutral-to-formal idiom. It is safe to use in almost any professional or respectful context. Avoid it in very slang-heavy conversations unless you are being ironic.
The 'AABB' Pattern
This phrase follows the AABB pattern (`勤` -> `勤勤`). This repetition makes the adjective feel much stronger and more descriptive in Chinese.
Don't use for 'Smart' work
If you want to say someone is clever or efficient, use `聪明` or `高效`. `勤勤恳恳` is strictly about the 'grind' and the heart.
The Silent Virtue
In China, being called this is often better than being called 'brilliant.' It implies you are trustworthy and won't quit when things get tough.
Exemples
6王老师在学校勤勤恳恳工作了三十年。
Teacher Wang has worked diligently and earnestly at the school for thirty years.
A classic use for long-term professional dedication.
爸爸总是勤勤恳恳地为这个家付出。
Dad always works hard and earnestly for this family.
Shows emotional depth and appreciation for family sacrifices.
他在项目中勤勤恳恳，是一个非常可靠的人。
He was diligent and earnest in the project; he is a very reliable person.
Perfect for formal endorsements.
我今天勤勤恳恳地写了一整天代码。
I've been diligently writing code all day long.
Slightly self-deprecating but shows you are proud of your effort.
我家的小狗每天都勤勤恳恳地拆家。
My puppy 'diligently and earnestly' tears the house apart every day.
Using a serious phrase for a silly action creates humor.
只要你勤勤恳恳，老板一定会看到的。
As long as you are diligent and earnest, the boss will definitely notice.
Used as a form of encouragement or advice.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct phrase to describe a reliable worker.
他工作一直___，从不偷懒。
`勤勤恳恳` means diligent and earnest, which fits the context of 'never being lazy'.
Complete the sentence to praise your mother's effort.
妈妈___地操持家务。
To describe the steady and sincere effort of managing a household, `勤勤恳恳` is the most respectful choice.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Spectrum
Used jokingly among friends about daily tasks.
I'm 'diligently' eating this pizza.
Standard way to describe a good employee or student.
He is a diligent worker.
Used in speeches, awards, or official documents.
Recognizing his years of earnest service.
When to use 勤勤恳恳
Annual Review
Praising a staff member's reliability.
Family Dinner
Thanking parents for their hard work.
School Report
Describing a student who never misses homework.
Self-Reflection
Describing your own focused study session.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it sounds a bit humble or even slightly tired. For example, 我每天勤勤恳恳地工作 (I work diligently every day) sounds like you are a dedicated 'soldier' of the office.
Mostly, but it can apply to anything requiring steady effort, like 勤勤恳恳地学习 (studying earnestly) or taking care of a garden.
努力 (nǔlì) just means 'hardworking.' 勤勤恳恳 adds a layer of 'sincerity' and 'long-term consistency' that 努力 lacks.
It is a very high compliment! It suggests the person has a great character and a strong sense of responsibility.
It's better for someone who does the 'groundwork.' For a CEO, you might use words that imply vision, though a CEO who works alongside their team could be called 勤勤恳恳.
A little bit, but in a 'classic' way. It’s still very common in news, business, and formal education.
You can use it as an adjective before a noun, like 勤勤恳恳的员工, or as an adverb with 地, like 勤勤恳恳地工作.
Only sarcastically. You could say a thief is 勤勤恳恳 at stealing, but that's a joke because the phrase is inherently positive.
The opposite would be 马马虎虎 (careless) or 懒懒散散 (lazy and disorganized).
Not necessarily, but it focuses on their reliability rather than their creativity or personality.
Expressions liées
兢兢业业
Cautious and conscientious
任劳任怨
To bear hardship and criticism without complaint
脚踏实地
Down-to-earth; grounded
废寝忘食
To forget to eat and sleep (due to hard work)
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