qínláo: 勤劳 - Diligent, Hardworking, Industrious

• Keywords: qinlao, 勤劳, diligent in Chinese, hardworking in Chinese, industrious meaning, Chinese work ethic, qínláo meaning, Chinese values, hard work virtue
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 勤劳 (qínláo), a core Chinese term that goes beyond “hardworking.” Learn why qínláo is a deeply respected cultural virtue representing diligence, industriousness, and a proactive approach to life. This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical usage, providing a key to understanding the traditional Chinese work ethic and its role in modern society.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qínláo
• Part of Speech: Adjective / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To be diligent, hardworking, and industrious as a character trait.
• In a Nutshell: 勤劳 (qínláo) is not just about putting in long hours; it describes a person's fundamental character. It's a highly positive attribute that signifies a consistent, earnest, and proactive dedication to one's tasks, whether in work, study, or managing a household. It's the embodiment of the virtue of “industry” and is considered the direct opposite of laziness.

• 勤 (qín): This character means “diligent” or “frequent.” It's composed of 堇 (jǐn), a phonetic component, and 力 (lì), which means “power,” “effort,” or “strength.” The presence of 力 (lì) is key, tying the character directly to the concept of applying effort.
• 劳 (láo): This character means “labor,” “toil,” or “work.” It's also composed of a component representing its sound and the character 力 (lì) at the bottom, again emphasizing “effort” or “strength.”

Putting them together, 勤劳 (qínláo) literally combines “diligent effort” with “labor,” creating a powerful and comprehensive word for an industrious character that values and consistently applies hard work.

勤劳 (qínláo) is more than a personal attribute; it's a cornerstone of traditional Chinese cultural values. For centuries, it has been promoted as a path to prosperity, family honor, and self-respect. Rooted in an agrarian society where consistent, hard physical labor was essential for survival and a good harvest, 勤劳 became ingrained as a fundamental moral virtue. Comparison to Western “Hardworking”: While an American might be praised as “hardworking” for their ambition and drive to achieve a specific personal goal (e.g., a promotion or starting a business), 勤劳 (qínláo) has a broader, more profound meaning.

• Virtue vs. Strategy: In the West, “working smart” is often valued more than “working hard.” 勤劳, however, emphasizes the inherent virtue of the effort itself, regardless of the immediate outcome.
• Collective Duty vs. Individual Ambition: The drive for 勤劳 is often tied to a sense of duty—to one's family, community, or company. The fruits of this labor are meant to benefit the collective, not just the individual. This contrasts with the more individualistic “hustle culture” in the West.

To be called 勤劳 is one of the highest compliments one can receive in Chinese culture, as it speaks to one's moral fiber and reliability.

The concept of 勤劳 remains highly relevant today.

• In the Workplace: Employers actively seek 勤劳 employees. It's a common keyword in job descriptions and a trait praised during performance reviews. It implies someone who doesn't complain, is proactive, and can be trusted to get the job done.
• In Education: Teachers praise 勤劳 students who consistently put in the effort, even if they aren't the most naturally gifted. It is seen as the key to overcoming obstacles in learning.
• In Daily Life: It's used to describe anyone who works hard with their hands and heart, from a parent managing the household to a street vendor running their stall from dawn till dusk. It's a term of deep respect.
• In Proverbs: The word is a component of many famous idioms, such as 勤劳致富 (qínláo zhìfù), meaning “to become wealthy through hard work.”

The connotation of 勤劳 is almost universally positive and respectful.

• Example 1:
  • 中国人民是勤劳勇敢的民族。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó rénmín shì qínláo yǒnggǎn de mínzú.
  • English: The Chinese people are a hardworking and courageous nation.
  • Analysis: This is a common, formal statement often used in official contexts. Here, 勤劳 is used as a defining characteristic of an entire group of people.
• Example 2:
  • 她是一个非常勤劳的员工，总是第一个到公司，最后一个离开。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yīgè fēicháng qínláo de yuángōng, zǒngshì dìyī gè dào gōngsī, zuìhòu yīgè líkāi.
  • English: She is a very industrious employee, always the first to arrive at the office and the last to leave.
  • Analysis: A classic example of praising someone in a professional setting. It describes her consistent behavior and positive work ethic.
• Example 3:
  • 只要勤劳，就一定能过上好日子。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyào qínláo, jiù yīdìng néng guò shàng hǎo rìzi.
  • English: As long as you are diligent, you will certainly be able to live a good life.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects the deep cultural belief that hard work is the path to success and a better life. Here 勤劳 is used as a noun, meaning “diligence.”
• Example 4:
  • 我父母靠着勤劳的双手，把我们三个孩子养大。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ fùmǔ kàozhe qínláo de shuāngshǒu, bǎ wǒmen sān gè háizi yǎng dà.
  • English: My parents raised the three of us with their own two hardworking hands.
  • Analysis: A very common and heartfelt way to express gratitude for one's parents' hard work and sacrifice.
• Example 5:
  • 勤劳致富是很多人的信念。
  • Pinyin: Qínláo zhìfù shì hěnduō rén de xìnniàn.
  • English: “Becoming rich through hard work” is a belief held by many people.
  • Analysis: This uses the common four-character idiom (chengyu) directly. It shows how the concept is crystallized in the language.
• Example 6:
  • 他虽然不太聪明，但是很勤劳，所以成绩一直不错。
  • Pinyin: Tā suīrán bù tài cōngmíng, dànshì hěn qínláo, suǒyǐ chéngjī yīzhí bùcuò.
  • English: Although he is not very clever, he is very diligent, so his grades have always been good.
  • Analysis: This highlights that 勤劳 (diligence/hard work) is seen as a way to compensate for a lack of natural talent.
• Example 7:
  • 农民的勤劳换来了秋天的丰收。
  • Pinyin: Nóngmín de qínláo huànláile qiūtiān de fēngshōu.
  • English: The farmers' diligence was rewarded with a bountiful autumn harvest.
  • Analysis: Here, 勤劳 is used as a noun (“diligence” or “hard work”) that leads to a positive result. This connects back to the agricultural roots of the concept.
• Example 8:
  • 他很懒，一点儿也不勤劳。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn lǎn, yīdiǎnr yě bù qínláo.
  • English: He is very lazy, not diligent at all.
  • Analysis: A simple sentence showing the direct opposition between 懒 (lǎn - lazy) and 勤劳.
• Example 9:
  • 在面试时，你可以说自己是一个勤劳肯干的人。
  • Pinyin: Zài miànshì shí, nǐ kěyǐ shuō zìjǐ shì yīgè qínláo kěngàn de rén.
  • English: During a job interview, you can say that you are a diligent and willing-to-work person.
  • Analysis: This provides practical advice for learners. 肯干 (kěngàn) means “willing to work hard” and is a great word to pair with 勤劳.
• Example 10:
  • 奶奶一生勤劳，为这个家付出了很多。
  • Pinyin: Nǎinai yīshēng qínláo, wèi zhège jiā fùchūle hěnduō.
  • English: Grandma has been hardworking her whole life and has given so much for this family.
  • Analysis: This shows 勤劳 as a lifelong trait, often used to describe elders with respect and admiration.

A common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 勤劳 (qínláo) and 努力 (nǔlì).

• 勤劳 (qínláo) is an adjective describing a person's inherent character. It's a stable, long-term quality. A person is 勤劳.
  • Correct: 他是一个很勤劳的人。 (Tā shì yīgè hěn qínláo de rén.) - He is a very hardworking person.
  • Incorrect: ~~他今天很勤劳学习。~~ (This is grammatically awkward).
• 努力 (nǔlì) is a verb or adverb meaning “to make an effort” or “to strive hard.” It describes an action in a specific situation. You do 努力.
  • Correct: 他今天学习很努力。 (Tā jīntiān xuéxí hěn nǔlì.) - He studied very hard today.
  • Incorrect: ~~他是一个很努力的人。~~ (While sometimes heard in casual speech, it's less precise than saying 他是一个很勤劳的人 or 他是一个很努力学习的人。)

In short: Because a person is 勤劳 (hardworking by nature), they 努力工作 (work hard). “勤劳” vs. “Workaholic”: Don't mistake 勤劳 for the English word “workaholic.” “Workaholic” has negative connotations of obsession, imbalance, and neglecting one's health or family. 勤劳, in contrast, is an unequivocally positive virtue representing a healthy and respectable dedication to one's duties.

• 努力 (nǔlì) - To make an effort; to try hard. This is the action that a 勤劳 person takes.
• 勤奋 (qínfèn) - Diligent; assiduous. Very similar to 勤劳, but often used more for mental or academic work (e.g., a diligent student). 勤劳 can encompass both mental and physical labor.
• 辛苦 (xīnkǔ) - Hard; toilsome; laborious. This describes the nature of the work itself, or is used to thank someone (“You've worked hard!”). You can say a job is 很辛苦.
• 懒惰 (lǎnduò) - Lazy; indolent. The direct antonym of 勤劳.
• 奋斗 (fèndòu) - To strive; to struggle for a cause. More intense than 努力, often used for life-changing goals, careers, or revolutions.
• 吃苦 (chīkǔ) - Literally “to eat bitterness.” A related cultural value meaning to endure hardship without complaint. A 勤劳 person is typically not afraid to 吃苦.
• 勤俭 (qínjiǎn) - Diligent and frugal. A related virtue that combines hard work with saving money.
• 勤劳致富 (qínláo zhìfù) - A set phrase meaning “to achieve prosperity through diligence and hard work.”