adjective HSK 4
diligent · hardworking · industrious · frequent
Meaning
勤 describes someone who is hardworking and diligent, putting in consistent effort without laziness. It emphasizes sustained effort and dedication to work or study. The character can also mean 'frequent' or 'often' in certain contexts.
Usage
勤 is commonly used in compound words rather than alone. Native speakers frequently use it in phrases like 勤奋 (diligent), 勤劳 (hardworking), and 勤快 (industrious). It carries a positive connotation and is often used to praise someone's work ethic.
Examples
- 01他是个很勤奋的学生，每天都学习到很晚。, .He is a very diligent student who studies until very late every day.
- 02她很勤快，家里总是收拾得干干净净。, .She is very industrious; her home is always kept clean and tidy.
Common collocations
- 勤学苦练study diligently and train hard
- 勤俭节约hardworking and thrifty
- 出勤attendance (at work/school)
- 勤工俭学work-study program
Antonyms
Origin
The character 勤 combines 堇 (a type of plant) as the phonetic component and 力 (strength, power) as the semantic component, suggesting the idea of applying strength or effort consistently.