兢兢业业

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jīng jīng yè yè
• English Translation: Diligent and conscientious, assiduous, meticulous
• Idiom Composition: 「兢」（Cautious, careful）＋「兢」（Cautious, careful）＋「业」（Apprehensive, prudent）＋「业」（Apprehensive, prudent）
• Meaning: Describes a meticulous, earnest, and hardworking approach to tasks. It refers to an attitude of strong responsibility and utmost care in work or studies.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「兢兢业业」 contains the following nuances:

• Earnestness: Expresses a very earnest and sincere attitude towards tasks.
• Prudence: Indicates taking extreme care and striving to avoid mistakes.
• Sense of responsibility: Means having a strong sense of responsibility for one's work or role.
• Effort: Describes making diligent efforts without being lazy.

3. Usage

「兢兢业业」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Work performance: Used to describe a serious approach to work.
  • Example:「他工作兢兢业业，从不偷懒，是我们学习的榜样。」
    （He works diligently and conscientiously, never slacking off, and is a role model for us to learn from.）
• Learning attitude: Can also describe an enthusiastic approach to studies.
  • Example:「她学习兢兢业业，成绩一直名列前茅。」
    （She studies assiduously, and her grades have always been among the best.）
• Character evaluation: Used to praise a person who is earnest and responsible.
  • Example:「作为一名医生，她兢兢业业，对待每一位病人都认真负责。」
    （As a doctor, she is meticulous and responsible in treating every patient.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他兢兢业业地工作了几十年，为公司的发展做出了巨大贡献。
   （He worked diligently and conscientiously for decades, making significant contributions to the company's development.）
2. 老师兢兢业业地教书育人，培养了一批又一批优秀人才。
   （The teacher assiduously educated and nurtured generations of talented individuals.）
3. 他兢兢业业地研究，终于取得了重大突破。
   （He researched meticulously and finally achieved a major breakthrough.）
4. 作为一名科研人员，他每天都兢兢业业地工作在实验室里。
   （As a researcher, he works diligently and conscientiously in the laboratory every day.）
5. 她对待每一个项目都兢兢业业，力求做到最好。
   （She approaches every project meticulously, striving for the best.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Virtue of diligence: In China, diligence has long been highly valued as a virtue. '兢兢业业' is an idiom that reflects this cultural background.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 勤勤恳恳 (qín qín kěn kěn): To work diligently and assiduously.
  • 一丝不苟 (yì sī bù gǒu): Not neglecting a single detail, meticulous.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 马马虎虎 (mǎ mǎ hū hū): Careless, sloppy.
  • 敷衍塞责 (fū yǎn sè zé): To perform one's duties perfunctorily, to shirk responsibility.

6. Summary

'兢兢业业' is an idiom that embodies the traditional Chinese value of diligence. This phrase expresses not just effort, but an attitude of approaching tasks with responsibility, caution, and earnestness. Understanding this cultural background is important for grasping the deeper meaning of the words and using them appropriately when learning Chinese.