勤勤恳恳

勤勤懇懇
qínqínkěnkěn
idiom #36,783

Meanings

  1. 1 diligent and conscientious
  2. 2 industrious and earnest

Examples

Tā qínqínkěnkěn de gōngzuò le sānshí nián.
He worked diligently and conscientiously for thirty years.
Mǔqīn yībèizi qínqínkěnkěn, cóngbù bàoyuàn.
Mother was hardworking and earnest her whole life, never once complaining.
Zhǐyào qínqínkěnkěn, zǒng huì yǒu huíbào.
If you work hard and conscientiously, there will always be a reward.

Tips

history
From Sima Qian's Han-dynasty 《》 (Letter to Ren Shaoqing): 勤勤恳恳 — describing earnest feelings. Originally meant 'sincere and heartfelt'; over time the sense shifted to steady, unflashy diligence.
register
Very common in formal praise of workers, employees, or public servants — often on retirement plaques or eulogies. Describes quiet, reliable effort rather than brilliance.

Stroke Order

qín
kěn