努力
nǔ lì HSK 3

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

他很努力学习。
Tā hěn nǔlì xuéxí.
He studies very hard.
我们要努力工作。
Wǒmen yào nǔlì gōngzuò.
We need to work hard.
她努力学中文。
Tā nǔlì xué Zhōngwén.
She studies Chinese hard.
他很努力。
Tā hěn nǔlì.
He is very hardworking.
我努力学习。
Wǒ nǔlì xuéxí.
I study diligently.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 努 as a person (力 means strength) using all their strength to push forward—like 'exerting effort.' Associate it with the phrase 'no lazy' (sounds like nǔlì) to remember it means 'not lazy.'

📝 Usage Notes

Used in both formal and informal contexts, in spoken and written Chinese. Common in encouraging phrases (e.g., '加油!努力!'), evaluations of performance, or self-motivation. It can function as an adjective (e.g., 很努力) or a verb (e.g., 努力学习).

📖 Grammar Points

Can be used as: 1) Adjective: 他工作很努力。2) Verb: 你要努力学中文。3) Noun: 他的努力得到了回报。Often modified by adverbs like 很, 非常, or 不.

🏯 Cultural Notes

Reflects the cultural value of perseverance and self-improvement in Chinese society. Commonly used in educational and workplace settings to encourage diligence as a virtue.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 勤奋 (qínfèn), which also means 'diligent,' but 努力 focuses more on the active exertion of effort, while 勤奋 implies consistent, habitual diligence. 用功 (yònggōng) is often specific to studying hard.

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