En 15 segundos
- Place it before a verb to show intense effort.
- Highly valued in Chinese culture as a sign of character.
- Use it for work, study, or personal growth goals.
Significado
This phrase is the ultimate 'go-getter' expression. It means you are putting in serious effort or working hard to achieve a specific goal.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Talking to a teacher about a test
我会努力学习的。
I will study hard.
Encouraging a friend at the gym
努力健身，你可以的！
Work hard at the gym, you can do it!
Texting a crush
我在努力变成更好的人。
I am working hard to become a better person.
Contexto cultural
The concept of 'Nǔlì' is a cornerstone of East Asian work ethic, often linked to the historical Imperial Examination system where effort was the only path to social mobility. Today, it is the buzzword for the 'involution' (nèijuǎn) generation, representing both the pressure and the pride of the modern workforce.
The 'De' Secret
Adding `地` (de) after `努力` makes you sound much more like a native speaker when describing an action, like `努力地跑`.
Don't Overdo It
If you say `努力` for every tiny thing, people might think you find life very difficult. Save it for things that actually require grit!
En 15 segundos
- Place it before a verb to show intense effort.
- Highly valued in Chinese culture as a sign of character.
- Use it for work, study, or personal growth goals.
What It Means
努力 (nǔlì) is more than just 'trying.' It is about grit and sweat. When you use it before a verb, you are saying you will give it your all. It is the verbal equivalent of a 'fighting!' gesture. Think of it as your personal engine revving up.
How To Use It
Simply place 努力 before the action you want to focus on. You can say 努力学习 (study hard) or 努力工作 (work hard). If you want to sound more natural, add a 地 (de) after 努力. It turns the word into an adverb. It’s like adding 'ly' in English but much cooler. You can also use it as a standalone command to encourage others.
When To Use It
Use it when you have a big exam coming up. Use it when you are starting a new fitness routine. It is perfect for professional settings when promising a boss results. Text it to a friend who is feeling discouraged. It shows you have a positive, proactive attitude. It’s the gold standard for showing character in China.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things that should be effortless. Saying you will 努力睡觉 (try hard to sleep) sounds like you have chronic insomnia. Avoid using it if you are being sarcastic or lazy. It is a 'sincere' word, so using it jokingly can sometimes fall flat. Also, don't use it for things out of your control, like the weather.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, hard work is often valued more than raw talent. There is a famous saying: 'Clumsy birds fly early.' This means if you aren't a genius, you just have to 努力 more. It is deeply rooted in the Confucian idea of self-improvement. It’s why you see students in cafes until midnight. It’s not just a habit; it’s a lifestyle.
Common Variations
If 努力 feels too heavy, try 加油 (jiāyóu) for general encouragement. For a more formal vibe, use 竭尽全力 (jiéjìn quánlì) which means 'using every ounce of strength.' If you want to be trendy, young people sometimes say 搬砖 (bān zhuān), literally 'moving bricks.' It’s a self-deprecating way to say they are working hard at a boring job.
Notas de uso
This phrase is extremely versatile and fits almost any situation from a business meeting to a casual chat. It carries a positive, 'can-do' energy.
The 'De' Secret
Adding `地` (de) after `努力` makes you sound much more like a native speaker when describing an action, like `努力地跑`.
Don't Overdo It
If you say `努力` for every tiny thing, people might think you find life very difficult. Save it for things that actually require grit!
The 'Hard Work' Flex
In China, telling someone they are `很努力` (very hardworking) is often a higher compliment than saying they are 'smart'.
Ejemplos
6我会努力学习的。
I will study hard.
A classic way to show respect and commitment to a mentor.
努力健身，你可以的！
Work hard at the gym, you can do it!
Short and punchy for motivation.
我在努力变成更好的人。
I am working hard to become a better person.
A bit poetic and very sincere.
大家努力工作，月底发奖金！
Everyone work hard, bonuses at the end of the month!
Direct and results-oriented.
我要努力把这些菜都吃完。
I'm going to make an effort to finish all these dishes.
Using a serious word for a silly task creates humor.
努力练琴中，别吵我。
Hard at work practicing piano, don't disturb me.
The '中' adds an 'in progress' feel.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct word to express working hard at a job.
为了买房，他每天都在 ___ 工作。
`努力工作` is the standard collocation for working hard to achieve a goal like buying a house.
Encourage your friend who is learning Chinese.
加油！___ 学中文，你一定行！
`努力学中文` encourages the friend to put in the necessary effort to succeed.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of '努力'
Texting friends about small goals.
努力减肥！
Everyday conversations and self-improvement.
努力学习。
Workplace promises or speeches.
努力为公司创造价值。
Where to use '努力'
At the Office
努力加班
At School
努力考试
Personal Growth
努力赚钱
Fitness
努力运动
Banco de ejercicios
2 ejercicios为了买房，他每天都在 ___ 工作。
`努力工作` is the standard collocation for working hard to achieve a goal like buying a house.
加油！___ 学中文，你一定行！
`努力学中文` encourages the friend to put in the necessary effort to succeed.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes! You can say 他的努力得到了回报 (His efforts paid off). In this case, it acts as 'effort' or 'hard work' as a concept.
Not exactly. 加油 is a cheer like 'Go for it!', while 努力 is the actual act of working hard. You 加油 to encourage someone to 努力.
Usually no. You wouldn't say you are 努力 doing something bad. It has a very positive, virtuous connotation in Chinese.
You can say 我在努力 or more strongly, 我正在尽力 (I am doing my best). 努力 implies the process of trying hard.
Absolutely. Saying 我会努力的 is the best way to respond to a new task or feedback from a superior.
拼命 (pīnmìng) is much more extreme. It literally means 'risking your life.' Use 努力 for daily hard work and 拼命 for desperate situations.
Yes, it shows sincerity. 我会努力让你幸福 (I will work hard to make you happy) is a very common and serious romantic promise.
Mostly, yes. 努力 + [Verb] is the standard structure. You can also put it at the end of a sentence for emphasis: 你要努力啊！
No, it's a standard dictionary word, but it's used so frequently in daily life that it feels very natural and informal in the right context.
Yes, parents often tell children 努力学习. It is one of the first 'values' words a Chinese child learns.
Frases relacionadas
加油
Go for it! / Add oil!
尽力
To do one's best.
奋斗
To struggle/strive for a big goal.
刻苦
Hardworking and enduring hardship.
