====== nǔlì: 努力 - To Strive, To Try Hard, Hardworking ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  *   **Keywords:** nuli, nǔlì, 努力, Chinese for effort, try hard in Chinese, hardworking Chinese, Chinese study motivation, diligence in Chinese, 加油 vs 努力
  *   **Summary:** "努力 (nǔlì)" is a fundamental Chinese word meaning to make a great effort, to strive, or to be hardworking. More than just "trying," it represents a core cultural value of sustained, diligent effort as a path to success and a testament to one's character. Whether you're studying for an exam, working on a project, or encouraging a friend, understanding **nǔlì** is essential for grasping the Chinese perspective on achievement and personal virtue.
===== Core Meaning =====
  *   **Pinyin (with tone marks):** nǔlì
  *   **Part of Speech:** Verb, Adjective
  *   **HSK Level:** HSK 3
  *   **Concise Definition:** To make a great effort; to strive; to be hardworking.
  *   **In a Nutshell:** **努力 (nǔlì)** is the action of putting in serious, focused work to achieve a goal. It’s the "sweat and tears" part of any task. If you're staying up late to study or practicing a skill over and over, you are being **努力**. It's both something you *do* (a verb) and a quality you *have* (an adjective).
===== Character Breakdown =====
  *   **努 (nǔ):** To exert, to put forth effort. This character combines 奴 (nú), an old character related to servitude, with 力 (lì) at the bottom. The idea is of exerting oneself with great force, like a laborer mustering all their strength.
  *   **力 (lì):** Strength, power, force. This is a simple and ancient character, a pictogram of a muscular arm or a plow, representing physical power.
The combination **努力 (nǔlì)** literally means "to exert strength." It creates a vivid and direct image of applying one's full power and energy towards a task.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In Chinese culture, **努力 (nǔlì)** is more than just a word; it's a foundational virtue. From a young age, children are taught that **努力** is the key to success, particularly in the hyper-competitive academic and professional worlds. It's deeply connected to the concept of **[[吃苦]] (chīkǔ)**, or "eating bitterness," which frames enduring hardship not as a negative, but as a necessary and noble part of the journey to achievement.
A useful comparison is with the Western idea of "passion." In the West, advice is often "find your passion, and you'll never work a day in your life." Success is often attributed to innate talent or finding the "right fit." In contrast, the traditional Chinese perspective places a much heavier emphasis on grit and perseverance. Success is seen not as a product of passion or genius, but as the direct result of sustained **努力**. The process of striving itself is seen as a moral good that builds character, regardless of the final outcome. This belief is the engine behind the incredible dedication seen in students preparing for the national college entrance exam, the **[[高考]] (gāokǎo)**.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**努力 (nǔlì)** is an extremely common and versatile word used in all aspects of life.
  *   **In Education and Work:** This is its most common habitat. Parents tell children to **努力学习 (nǔlì xuéxí)** (study hard). Bosses expect employees to **努力工作 (nǔlì gōngzuò)** (work hard). It's a standard and expected part of life.
  *   **As Encouragement:** When someone is facing a challenge, you can say "**继续努力 (jìxù nǔlì)**" (keep up the hard work). It's a statement of recognizing their past effort and encouraging them to continue.
  *   **As a Personal Pledge:** People often use it to express their own commitment. "**我会努力的 (wǒ huì nǔlì de)**" means "I will try my best/I will work hard," and it carries a sincere promise of dedication.
  *   **Describing a Person:** You can describe someone as "**一个很努力的人 (yī gè hěn nǔlì de rén)**," meaning "a very hardworking person." This is a significant compliment.
Its connotation is almost always positive, and it can be used in both formal and informal settings without issue.
===== Example Sentences =====
  *   **Example 1:**
    *   为了通过考试，我每天都**努力**学习。
    *   Pinyin: Wèile tōngguò kǎoshì, wǒ měi tiān dōu **nǔlì** xuéxí.
    *   English: In order to pass the exam, I study hard every day.
    *   Analysis: This is a classic use case. **努力** acts as an adverb modifying the verb "to study" (学习). It shows a direct cause-and-effect relationship between effort and a goal.
  *   **Example 2:**
    *   他是一个很**努力**的员工，老板很喜欢他。
    *   Pinyin: Tā shì yī gè hěn **nǔlì** de yuángōng, lǎobǎn hěn xǐhuān tā.
    *   English: He is a very hardworking employee, the boss likes him a lot.
    *   Analysis: Here, **努力** is used as an adjective to describe the employee (员工). The structure "很 + **努力** + 的 + Noun" is very common.
  *   **Example 3:**
    *   我会**努力**的，请您放心。
    *   Pinyin: Wǒ huì **nǔlì** de, qǐng nín fàngxīn.
    *   English: I will work hard, please don't worry.
    *   Analysis: This is a common phrase used to reassure someone (like a parent or a manager). It functions as a promise of future effort. The particle "的" at the end softens the tone and adds a sense of certainty.
  *   **Example 4:**
    *   只要我们**努力**，就一定能成功。
    *   Pinyin: Zhǐyào wǒmen **nǔlì**, jiù yīdìng néng chénggōng.
    *   English: As long as we work hard, we can definitely succeed.
    *   Analysis: This sentence showcases the cultural belief that effort leads to success. The "只要...就..." (zhǐyào...jiù...) structure means "as long as...then..." and is frequently paired with **努力**.
  *   **Example 5:**
    *   你的中文进步很快，一定很**努力**吧！
    *   Pinyin: Nǐ de Zhōngwén jìnbù hěn kuài, yīdìng hěn **nǔlì** ba!
    *   English: Your Chinese has improved so fast, you must be working very hard!
    *   Analysis: This is a way to compliment someone. It attributes their success (fast improvement) to their hard work. **努力** functions as an adjective here. The "吧 (ba)" at the end makes it a speculative question, softening the statement.
  *   **Example 6:**
    *   我们必须**努力**寻找解决方案。
    *   Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū **nǔlì** xúnzhǎo jiějué fāng'àn.
    *   English: We must strive to find a solution.
    *   Analysis: In this more formal or professional context, **努力** is paired with another verb (寻找, to search for) to mean "strive to do something."
  *   **Example 7:**
    *   光说不练，不**努力**是不行的。
    *   Pinyin: Guāng shuō bù liàn, bù **nǔlì** shì bùxíng de.
    *   English: All talk and no action, not working hard is not okay.
    *   Analysis: This sentence uses **努力** in the negative to criticize a lack of effort. "是不行的" (shì bùxíng de) is a strong way to say something is unacceptable.
  *   **Example 8:**
    *   感谢大家的**努力**，项目提前完成了。
    *   Pinyin: Gǎnxiè dàjiā de **nǔlì**, xiàngmù tíqián wánchéng le.
    *   English: Thanks to everyone's hard work, the project was completed ahead of schedule.
    *   Analysis: Here, **努力** is used as a noun ("the hard work/effort of everyone"). The structure "Subject + 的 + **努力**" is common for this usage.
  *   **Example 9:**
    *   虽然这次失败了，但我已经**努力**过了。
    *   Pinyin: Suīrán zhè cì shībài le, dàn wǒ yǐjīng **nǔlì** guò le.
    *   English: Although I failed this time, I already tried my best.
    *   Analysis: The particle "过 (guò)" indicates a past experience. "**努力过**" emphasizes that the action of trying hard was completed, valuing the effort itself even in the face of failure.
  *   **Example 10:**
    *   她为了实现梦想，一直在**努力**奋斗。
    *   Pinyin: Tā wèile shíxiàn mèngxiǎng, yīzhí zài **nǔlì** fèndòu.
    *   English: In order to realize her dream, she has been constantly striving and struggling.
    *   Analysis: This shows **努力** paired with another, similar verb, **奋斗 (fèndòu)**, for emphasis. **努力奋斗** is a common combination that means to strive with intense, continuous effort towards a major goal.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
A major point of confusion for learners is the difference between **努力 (nǔlì)** and **[[加油]] (jiāyóu)**.
  *   **努力 (nǔlì)** is the //action// of working hard. It's what you //do//.
  *   **加油 (jiāyóu)** is the //encouragement// you give to someone. It's what you //say// to get them to **努力**.
Think of it this way: a coach shouts "**加油**!" from the sidelines to a player who is **努力**-ing on the field.
**Incorrect Usage:**
  *   **Mistake:** 我在加油学习中文。(Wǒ zài jiāyóu xuéxí Zhōngwén.)
  *   **Why it's wrong:** This literally means "I am 'adding oil' to study Chinese." You are mixing the encouragement with the action.
  *   **Correct:** 我在**努力**学习中文。(Wǒ zài **nǔlì** xuéxí Zhōngwén.) - //I am working hard to study Chinese.//
  *   **Correct:** A friend says to you: "你学习中文，**加油**!" (Nǐ xuéxí Zhōngwén, **jiāyóu**!) - //You're studying Chinese, go for it!//
Another nuance is comparing **努力** to the English "I'll try." In English, "I'll try" can sometimes imply a weak commitment. In Chinese, saying "**我会努力的 (wǒ huì nǔlì de)**" is a much stronger and more sincere statement. It means "I will genuinely put in my best effort."
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[加油]] (jiāyóu) - An exclamation of encouragement; "Go for it!"; "Come on!". Used to cheer someone on to **努力**.
  *   [[奋斗]] (fèndòu) - To struggle, to fight for, to strive. More intense than **努力** and often used for long-term, life-changing goals like one's career or national prosperity.
  *   [[勤奋]] (qínfèn) - Diligent, industrious. This is a character trait, describing a person who is habitually hardworking. **努力** can be a one-time action, while **勤奋** is a continuous state.
  *   [[用功]] (yònggōng) - To study hard, to be studious. This is specifically used for academic effort. It's a more specific version of **努力** applied to learning.
  *   [[辛苦]] (xīnkǔ) - Hard, toilsome, exhausting. This describes the difficulty or hardship //of the work//. If you **努力**, the work might make you feel **辛苦**. For example: "你工作很**努力**，**辛苦**你了" (You work so hard, that must have been tough for you).
  *   [[尽力]] (jìnlì) - To do one's best, to try one's utmost. A close synonym of **努力**, but it focuses more on the idea of exhausting all of one's available strength ("尽" means to exhaust).
  *   [[吃苦]] (chīkǔ) - To bear hardship, literally "to eat bitterness." The cultural value of enduring hardship, which is seen as a necessary prerequisite for success achieved through **努力**.