jīngjīngyèyè: 兢兢业业 - Conscientious, Meticulous, Diligent

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.