Chinese word

下功夫

Pronunciation

Pinyinxià gōng fū

Meaning

  • verbmake an effort

Example

你得下功夫，才能把工作做好。nǐ děi xià gōng fū cái néng bǎ gōng zuò zuò hǎo

You have to make an effort to do the job well.

Illustration for 下功夫 (make an effort)

More examples

他在学习上下功夫，成绩明显提高了。tā zài xué xí shàng xià gōng fu chéng jì míng xiǎn tí gāo le

He put effort into his studies, and his grades clearly improved.

Core concept

Steady investment in a task, with patient practice turning time and energy into skill and results.

Common phrases

  • 在学习上下功夫zài xué xí shàng xià gōng fu

    put effort into studying

  • 下功夫练习口语xià gōng fū liàn xí kóu yǔ

    put effort into practicing speaking

Similar words

努力nǔ lì: Putting effort into reaching a goal through hard work.
尽力jìn lì: Using every bit of available effort to do something.
下力气xià lì qì: Making an intense effort for a limited period to finish a task.
用功yòng gōng: Working seriously at learning with regular time and focused attention.

Definition in Chinese

投入时间和精力，认真做某事以取得较好效果。tóu rù shí jiān hé jīng lì rèn zhēn zuò mǒu shì yǐ qǔ dé jiào hǎo xiào guǒ

Word origin

下 (xià, "put in") + 功夫 (gōngfu, "time, effort, and skill") forms a phrase about putting the work needed for improvement into a chosen task.

Usage tips

  • The phrase suits a skill, project, or subject that receives repeated attention, so it is more specific than a general statement that someone is hardworking.

Other meanings

  • devote time and effortverb
  • work hardverb
  • apply oneselfverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word