Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== jīngjīngyèyè: 兢兢业业 - Conscientious, Meticulous, Diligent ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** jīngjīng yèyè, 兢兢业业, Chinese chengyu, Chinese idiom, conscientious meaning, diligent Chinese, meticulous work ethic, how to say diligent in Chinese, Chinese work culture, hard-working, HSK 6. * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **兢兢业业 (jīngjīng yèyè)**, a powerful Chinese idiom (chengyu) used to describe a person who is profoundly conscientious, meticulous, and diligent in their work. This term goes beyond just "hard-working"; it signifies a deep sense of responsibility and cautiousness, reflecting a highly respected work ethic in Chinese culture. This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical usage with numerous examples. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jīngjīng yèyè * **Part of Speech:** Adjective / Chengyu (Idiom) * **HSK Level:** HSK 6 * **Concise Definition:** To be extremely conscientious, cautious, and meticulous in one's work or duties. * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine someone who doesn't just do their job, but treats it with the utmost care and respect. They double-check everything, not because they are slow, but because they have a deep sense of responsibility to do it perfectly. **兢兢业业 (jīngjīng yèyè)** captures this quiet, focused, and highly responsible attitude. It's the opposite of being careless, sloppy, or just "phoning it in." ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **兢 (jīng):** This character means "cautious" or "apprehensive." The repetition, **兢兢**, intensifies this meaning, suggesting a state of constant, careful alertness to avoid making any errors. * **业 (yè):** This character means "work," "profession," "task," or "enterprise." The repetition, **业业**, emphasizes a singular focus on one's professional duties or assigned tasks. * **How they combine:** Literally "cautious-cautious work-work," the idiom paints a vivid picture of someone who approaches their responsibilities with extreme caution and unwavering focus. The repetition of both characters creates a balanced, formal, and emphatic tone. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * **A Praised Virtue:** In Chinese culture, influenced by Confucian values of duty and responsibility, being **兢兢业业** is a profound compliment. It's not just about producing good results, but about having the right, respectful attitude towards one's role in a company, family, or society. It implies reliability, trustworthiness, and a strong moral character. * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** While an English speaker might say someone is "diligent" or a "hard worker," these terms don't fully capture the essence of **兢兢业业**. "Hard worker" can imply a "hustle culture" attitude—energetic, ambitious, and sometimes aggressive. **兢兢业业** is different. It's quieter, more internally driven by a sense of duty, and carries a nuance of *anxiety* or *wariness* about getting things wrong. It's the careful artisan in their workshop, not the loud salesman closing a deal. It is the meticulous accountant ensuring every number is perfect, driven by responsibility rather than the pursuit of a bonus. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **Formality:** **兢兢业业** is a formal term. You'll frequently encounter it in: * **Workplace:** Performance reviews, letters of recommendation, official commendations, or when a boss is formally praising an employee. * **Academia:** Describing a dedicated scholar, researcher, or student. * **Formal Speeches:** Praising model citizens, historical figures, or exemplary individuals. * **Connotation:** It is overwhelmingly positive. Being described as **兢兢业业** is a high honor. While you can use it to describe yourself in a job interview or on a resume, it's more powerful when someone else uses it to describe you. * **Casual Conversation:** In everyday chat, you are more likely to use a simpler word like **[[认真]] (rènzhēn)**, which means "serious" or "conscientious." Using **兢兢业业** to describe your friend's weekend gardening project would sound overly dramatic and stilted. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 他在公司服务了三十年，一直**兢兢业业**，受到了所有人的尊敬。 * Pinyin: Tā zài gōngsī fúwù le sānshí nián, yīzhí **jīngjīng yèyè**, shòudào le suǒyǒu rén de zūnjìng. * English: He has served the company for thirty years, has always been conscientious and meticulous, and has earned everyone's respect. * Analysis: This is a classic example used to praise a long-serving, dedicated employee. The term summarizes his entire career attitude. * **Example 2:** * 作为一名教师，李老师总是**兢兢业业**地备课，从不马虎。 * Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng jiàoshī, Lǐ lǎoshī zǒngshì **jīngjīng yèyè** de bèikè, cóngbù mǎhu. * English: As a teacher, Teacher Li always prepares her lessons conscientiously and is never careless. * Analysis: This highlights the meticulous nature of the term. It's not just that she works hard, but that she is careful (`从不马虎` - never careless). * **Example 3:** * 这位科学家一生**兢兢业业**，为科学事业做出了巨大贡献。 * Pinyin: Zhè wèi kēxuéjiā yīshēng **jīngjīng yèyè**, wèi kēxué shìyè zuòchū le jùdà gòngxiàn. * English: This scientist was meticulous in his work his entire life, making huge contributions to the cause of science. * Analysis: Here, **兢兢业业** is used to describe a lifelong dedication to a profession or a cause, lending a sense of gravity and importance. * **Example 4:** * 我会**兢兢业业**地完成您交给我的每一项任务。 * Pinyin: Wǒ huì **jīngjīng yèyè** de wánchéng nín jiāo gěi wǒ de měi yī xiàng rènwù. * English: I will conscientiously complete every task you assign to me. * Analysis: This is something you might say in a formal setting, like to a new boss, to express commitment and reliability. It's a very strong promise. * **Example 5:** * 我们的成功离不开每一位员工在岗位上的**兢兢业业**。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen de chénggōng líbukāi měi yī wèi yuángōng zài gǎngwèi shàng de **jīngjīng yèyè**. * English: Our success would not be possible without the conscientious dedication of every employee at their post. * Analysis: This is typical "corporate speak" from a CEO's speech, used to praise the collective workforce in a formal, appreciative way. * **Example 6:** * 他父亲一辈子**兢兢业业**，是孩子们的好榜样。 * Pinyin: Tā fùqīn yībèizi **jīngjīng yèyè**, shì háizimen de hǎo bǎngyàng. * English: His father was diligent and responsible his whole life, serving as a good role model for the children. * Analysis: This shows the term being used to describe a personal virtue within a family context, linking it to moral character. * **Example 7:** * 他对待学习的态度总是**兢兢业业**的，所以成绩一直名列前茅。 * Pinyin: Tā duìdài xuéxí de tàidù zǒngshì **jīngjīng yèyè** de, suǒyǐ chéngjì yīzhí mínglièqiánmáo. * English: His attitude toward studying is always meticulous, which is why his grades are consistently at the top of the class. * Analysis: This applies the concept to the "work" of being a student, emphasizing carefulness and dedication to academic tasks. * **Example 8:** * 新来的经理工作非常**兢兢业业**，很快就熟悉了所有业务。 * Pinyin: Xīn lái de jīnglǐ gōngzuò fēicháng **jīngjīng yèyè**, hěn kuài jiù shúxī le suǒyǒu yèwù. * English: The new manager is extremely conscientious in his work and quickly became familiar with all aspects of the business. * Analysis: This shows how the attitude leads to a positive outcome (becoming familiar with the business quickly). * **Example 9:** * 无论职位高低，我们都应该**兢兢业业**地做好本职工作。 * Pinyin: Wúlùn zhíwèi gāodī, wǒmen dōu yīnggāi **jīngjīng yèyè** de zuòhǎo běnzhí gōngzuò. * English: Regardless of our position, high or low, we should all do our own jobs conscientiously. * Analysis: This sentence frames **兢兢业业** as a universal work ethic and moral obligation for everyone. * **Example 10:** * 和他**兢兢业业**的工作态度相比，小张就显得太敷衍了事了。 * Pinyin: Hé tā **jīngjīng yèyè** de gōngzuò tàidù xiāngbǐ, Xiǎo Zhāng jiù xiǎnde tài fūyǎnliǎoshì le. * English: Compared to his meticulous work attitude, Xiao Zhang seems too perfunctory. * Analysis: This sentence effectively uses an antonym, `敷衍了事` (to be perfunctory), to highlight the meaning of **兢兢业业** through contrast. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Mistake 1: Using it for trivial, everyday tasks.** * **Incorrect:** 我今天兢兢业业地洗了碗 (Wǒ jīntiān jīngjīng yèyè de xǐle wǎn). * **Reason:** This is overkill. **兢兢业业** is reserved for one's profession, major responsibilities, or long-term duties. For washing dishes, you would say `我今天很认真地洗了碗` (I washed the dishes very carefully today). * **Mistake 2: Confusing it with `努力` (nǔlì - to work hard).** * `努力` is about the *quantity* of effort. You can `努力` to lift a heavy box. * `兢兢业业` is about the *quality* and *attitude* of the work. It implies carefulness and responsibility. A student can be `努力` by studying 12 hours a day (effort), but if they are messy and don't double-check their answers, they are not `兢兢业业` (attitude). You cannot be `兢兢业业` and be sloppy. * **Mistake 3: Overusing it in casual conversation.** * As a formal Chengyu, it can sound unnatural among friends. If you want to say your friend is a conscientious worker in a casual chat, it's better to use `他工作很认真 (tā gōngzuò hěn rènzhēn)` or `他做事很仔细 (tā zuòshì hěn zǐxì)`. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * **Synonyms & Similar Concepts:** * `[[一丝不苟]]` (yīsībùgǒu) - Literally "not even one thread careless." A very close synonym that emphasizes extreme meticulousness and precision. * `[[勤勤恳恳]]` (qínqínkěnkěn) - Diligent and earnest. This term focuses more on the hard-working and sincere aspect, with less emphasis on the "cautious" nuance of `兢兢业业`. * `[[任劳任怨]]` (rènláorènyuàn) - To bear hardship and criticism without complaint. This describes someone who endures difficulties patiently, a quality often found in people who are also `兢兢业业`. * `[[废寝忘食]]` (fèiqǐnwàngshí) - To forget to sleep and eat (due to intense focus). Describes the *intensity* of work, while `兢兢业业` describes the *careful attitude*. * `[[认真]]` (rènzhēn) - Serious; conscientious. The most common and less formal word to describe a similar quality in everyday situations. * **Antonyms:** * `[[马马虎虎]]` (mǎmǎhǔhǔ) - Careless; casual; so-so. The direct opposite of being careful and meticulous. * `[[敷衍了事]]` (fūyǎnliǎoshì) - To do a task perfunctorily; to just go through the motions without real effort or care. * `[[粗心大意]]` (cūxīndàyì) - Negligent; careless; scatterbrained. Emphasizes making mistakes due to a lack of attention.