====== qínláo: 勤劳 - Diligent, Hardworking, Industrious ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **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.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **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.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
**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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
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 Sentences =====
  * **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.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
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.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[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."