Chinese word

本分

Pronunciation

Pinyinběn fèn

Meaning

  • nounduty

Example

这是我的本分，我一定会完成。zhè shì wǒ de běn fèn wǒ yí dìng huì wán chéng

This is my duty, and I will definitely fulfill it.

Illustration for 本分 (duty)

More examples

她在岗位上恪尽本分，从不抱怨。tā zài gǎng wèi shàng kè jǐn běn fèn cóng bú bào yuàn

She conscientiously performs her duty at work and never complains.

Core concept

A person's rightful share of responsibility, shaped by the role that person occupies.

Common phrases

  • 恪尽本分kè jǐn běn fèn

    conscientiously perform one's duty

  • 守住本分shǒu zhù běn fèn

    stay within one's proper role

Similar words

责任zé rèn: The duty of answering for an action, decision, or result.
义务yì wù: A duty that must be fulfilled because of morality or a rule.
职责zhí zé: The duties assigned to a person because of a job or position.
本职běn zhí: The work that a person is mainly responsible for in a workplace.

Definition in Chinese

指人应当遵守的本职职责或道德上应尽的事。zhǐ rén yīng dāng zūn shǒu de běn zhí zhí zé huò dào dé shàng yīng jǐn de shì

Word origin

本分 (běnfèn, "duty") combines 本 (běn, "root") + 分 (fèn, "share"), presenting a person's proper role as the share of responsibility rooted in that position.

Usage tips

  • This term often frames responsibility as a normal part of belonging to a family, team, or community rather than as a special burden or formal assignment.

Other meanings

  • proper rolenoun

Opposites

  • 渎职dú zhídereliction of dutynoun

Word lists with this word