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A1 adjective #1,500 le plus courant 7 min de lecture

努力

nuli Top 1,500

At the A1 level, '努力' (nǔlì) is introduced as a simple way to say 'work hard' or 'hardworking.' Learners should focus on its most common pairing: '努力学习' (study hard). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember that it usually comes before the verb. If you want to describe a person, use '很努力' (very hardworking). It's a positive word used to encourage yourself and others. For example, '我要努力' (I will work hard) is a great sentence to use when you start learning Chinese! You will mostly hear it in the context of school and basic tasks. The goal is to recognize the characters and understand that they represent 'putting in effort.'

At the A2 level, you begin to use '努力' in more varied sentences. You might start using it with resultative complements or in different time frames. For example, '他努力了很久' (He worked hard for a long time). You also learn that '努力' can be used as an adjective to describe people in your life, like '我的爸爸很努力' (My dad is very hardworking). You should also be aware of the particle '地' (de), which can turn '努力' into an adverb, although it's often omitted. You'll start to see it in simple stories or dialogues about work and hobbies. It's important to distinguish it from '累' (lèi - tired); you work '努力' so that you might become '累'.

At the B1 level, '努力' moves beyond simple daily tasks into the realm of goals and aspirations. You will use it in structures like '为了...而努力' (to strive for the sake of...). For example, '为了买房，他努力攒钱' (In order to buy a house, he is working hard to save money). You also start to encounter synonyms like '勤奋' (qínfèn) and learn when to choose '努力' over them. You'll hear it in more formal contexts, such as office meetings or news reports about people overcoming difficulties. Your understanding of the word should now include the idea of 'persistence' and 'determination.' You might also start using it in the negative, '不努力' (not working hard/lazy), to describe consequences.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use '努力' in complex sentences and understand its nuances in professional and social contexts. You'll encounter it in abstract discussions about success, societal pressure, and personal development. You should be comfortable using it with various adverbs of degree (非常, 极其, 相当) and in idiomatic expressions. For example, you might discuss the '努力程度' (level of effort) required for a project. You'll also see it used in more literary or formal written Chinese, where it might be paired with other two-character words to form four-character phrases. At this level, you understand that '努力' is not just an action but a valued cultural trait in Chinese-speaking societies.

At the C1 level, your use of '努力' should be sophisticated and contextually precise. You will explore the philosophical implications of '努力' in Chinese culture, perhaps discussing the concept of '内卷' (nèijuǎn - involution) where '努力' no longer yields proportional results. You'll be able to distinguish '努力' from more literary synonyms like '砥砺' (dǐlì) or '奋进' (fènjìn). You can use it in formal speeches, academic writing, and deep cultural analysis. You understand how '努力' functions in classical-style modern prose and can identify its use in rhetorical devices. Your vocabulary will include related concepts like '功亏一篑' (to fail at the last step despite great effort).

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of '努力' and its place in the vast landscape of Chinese literature and thought. You can analyze how the concept of '努力' has evolved from Confucian texts to modern political slogans. You can use the word with perfect native-like nuance, including its ironic or cynical uses in modern slang. You are capable of debating the merits of '努力' versus '选择' (choice) in the context of social mobility. Your understanding includes the historical etymology of the characters and their usage in various dynasties. You can write persuasive essays or deliver complex presentations where '努力' is a central theme, using it to evoke specific emotional and cultural resonances.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

努力 en 30 secondes

努力 (nǔlì) means 'hardworking' or 'to strive.'
It is a core value in Chinese culture, emphasizing effort over talent.
Grammatically, it acts as an adjective (very hardworking) or a verb (to work hard).
Commonly used in school, work, and motivational contexts to encourage persistence.

The term 努力 (nǔlì) is one of the most fundamental concepts in the Chinese language, serving as both a verb and an adjective. At its core, it represents the application of physical or mental strength toward a specific objective. The first character, 努 (nǔ), historically relates to exerting force or putting forth effort, while the second character, 力 (lì), literally means 'strength' or 'power.' Together, they form a semantic powerhouse that describes the act of striving, working hard, or being diligent.

Etymological Root: The character 力 represents a plow or a muscle, signifying the physical exertion required in agricultural labor, which was the foundation of ancient Chinese society.

In a modern context, 努力 transcends physical labor. It is applied to students studying for the Gaokao, professionals climbing the corporate ladder, and athletes training for the Olympics. It is not merely about the 'work' itself, but the 'spirit' of persistence. When someone says '你很努力' (Nǐ hěn nǔlì), they are paying you a high compliment regarding your character and work ethic.

只要努力，就会有收获。(As long as you strive, there will be rewards.)

Understanding 努力 requires looking at the cultural weight it carries. In many East Asian cultures, success is often attributed more to effort (努力) than to innate talent (天赋). This creates a linguistic environment where 努力 is used as a constant encouragement, a moral imperative, and a metric for social standing. It is the antithesis of being 'lazy' (懒惰).

Grammatical Versatility: It functions as an adjective (He is very hardworking) and an adverbial verb (He works hard).

他是一个非常努力的学生。(He is a very diligent student.)

To truly master 努力, one must recognize that it is not just a word but a philosophy. It appears in countless idioms and proverbs, reinforcing the idea that through constant application of 'lì' (strength), one can overcome even the most daunting obstacles. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this word will be a constant companion in your journey through the Chinese language.

Using 努力 (nǔlì) correctly involves understanding its placement in a sentence. Unlike English, where 'hard' or 'diligently' usually follows the verb, in Chinese, 努力 typically precedes the verb it modifies or follows a linking verb like '很' (hěn) when used as an adjective.

As an Adverb: Structure: Subject + 努力 + Verb. Example: 我努力工作 (I work hard).

When you want to emphasize the manner in which an action is performed, you can add the particle '地' (de) after 努力. For instance, '他努力地跑步' (He runs hard/strenuously). While '地' is often omitted in casual speech, including it provides a more formal or descriptive tone.

我们要努力提高汉语水平。(We must work hard to improve our Chinese level.)

As an adjective, 努力 describes a person's character or state. You will frequently see it paired with degree adverbs like '很' (very), '非常' (extremely), or '特别' (especially). '他很努力' is the standard way to say 'He is hardworking.' Note that you don't usually say '他是努力的' in the same way you'd say 'He is a hardworking person' (他是一个努力的人).

Imperative Usage: You can use 努力 alone as an encouragement: '加油，努力！' (Come on, work hard!).

为了梦想，我必须更加努力。(For my dreams, I must work even harder.)

In professional settings, 努力 is often used in performance reviews or self-evaluations. Phrases like '工作努力' (hardworking at work) or '表现努力' (showing great effort) are common. It is a positive, proactive word that signals a growth mindset. In academic contexts, it is the most common word used by teachers to encourage students.

You will encounter 努力 (nǔlì) in almost every corner of Chinese life, from the classroom to the boardroom, and from TV dramas to daily conversations. It is the linguistic fuel of the 'Chinese Dream' and a central pillar of social expectations.

In Education: Teachers constantly tell students: '你要努力学习' (You need to study hard). It's the most common feedback on report cards.

In the workplace, 努力 is the standard for a 'good employee.' During job interviews, candidates often promise to '努力工作' (work hard) to show their dedication. In office culture, even if someone isn't the most talented, being '努力' can earn them respect and job security. You'll hear managers saying, '大家辛苦了，我们要继续努力' (Everyone has worked hard, let's keep striving).

他在公司里表现得非常努力。(He performs very diligently in the company.)

Pop culture and media are saturated with this word. Motivational songs (励志歌曲) often feature 努力 in their lyrics, encouraging listeners to never give up on their dreams. In sports commentary, when a team is losing but still fighting, the commentator will praise their '努力' (effort). It's a word that evokes sympathy and admiration simultaneously.

Family Life: Parents often use 努力 to encourage their children, not just in studies but in hobbies like piano or sports.

爸爸希望你努力成为一个有用的人。(Dad hopes you strive to become a useful person.)

Finally, in the context of self-improvement, 努力 is the go-to word for anyone trying to change their life. Whether it's losing weight, learning a new language, or saving money, the process is always described as '努力的过程' (the process of striving). It is a word that bridges the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

While 努力 (nǔlì) seems straightforward, English speakers often make subtle errors in its usage, particularly regarding its grammatical role and its distinction from similar words.

Mistake 1: Using it as a Noun: In English, we say 'make an effort.' Learners often translate this literally as '做一个努力' (zuò yīgè nǔlì). This is incorrect. In Chinese, you simply say '努力' as a verb.

Correct: '我会努力' (I will work hard / I will make an effort). Incorrect: '我会做一个努力.' If you must use a noun, the word '付出' (fùchū - contribution/effort spent) or '努力' in a very specific context might work, but 99% of the time, it's a verb or adjective.

错误：他给了很多努力。正确：他付出了很多努力。(He put in a lot of effort.)

Another common mistake is confusing 努力 with 费力 (fèilì). 努力 is the *intent* to work hard, whereas 费力 describes something that *requires* a lot of physical strength or is difficult to do. If a box is heavy, you say it's 费力 to carry, not 努力 to carry.

Mistake 2: Word Order: English: 'He studies hard.' Chinese: '他努力学习' (He hard studies). Don't put 努力 at the end of the sentence like an English adverb.

错误：他学习努力。正确：他学习很努力。(He studies very hard - using '很' makes it an adjective phrase.)

Lastly, be careful with the degree. You cannot say '很努力地' followed by nothing. If you use '地', a verb must follow. If you want to say 'He is very hardworking,' just say '他很努力.' Adding '地' without a verb is a common structural error for beginners.

Chinese has a rich vocabulary for 'hard work,' and 努力 (nǔlì) is the most general. However, depending on the intensity and context, other words might be more appropriate.

勤奋 (qínfèn): This means 'diligent' or 'industrious.' While 努力 can be a temporary burst of effort, 勤奋 implies a long-term, consistent habit of working hard. It is often used for students and scholars.

Another powerful synonym is 刻苦 (kèkǔ). This literally means 'carving into bone' and 'bitterness.' It describes a level of effort that involves enduring hardship or suffering. If a student studies until 3 AM every night, they are 刻苦, not just 努力.

他学习非常刻苦，从不浪费时间。(He studies extremely hard/painstakingly, never wasting time.)

For extreme, almost desperate effort, we use 拼命 (pīnmìng), which literally means 'risking one's life.' This is used when someone is working so hard it might affect their health, or they are giving 110% in a high-stakes situation like a final exam or a sports match.

用功 (yònggōng): Specifically used for students. '用功学习' means to put 'work' (gōng) into 'use' (yòng) for studying.

这孩子学习很用功。(This child is very studious.)

Finally, 上进 (shàngjìn) means 'to strive for progress.' It's often used as an adjective (有上进心) to describe someone who is ambitious and always trying to improve themselves. While 努力 is the action, 上进 is the mindset behind it.

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Écriture 3/5

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

他很努力。

He is very hardworking.

Subject + 很 + Adjective

我们要努力学习。

We need to study hard.

努力 + Verb

努力工作！

Work hard!

Imperative usage

我不努力。

I am not hardworking.

Negative form with 不

你努力吗？

Are you hardworking?

Question with 吗

他努力学习汉语。

He studies Chinese hard.

努力 + Verb + Object

大家都很努力。

Everyone is very hardworking.

Use of 都 (all)

努力就有好成绩。

Hard work leads to good grades.

Conditional logic

他比我努力。

He is more hardworking than me.

Comparison with 比

你必须努力地练习。

You must practice hard.

Use of adverbial 地

他努力了三年。

He worked hard for three years.

Verb + 了 + Duration

为了家人，他很努力。

For his family, he works very hard.

为了 (for) phrase

虽然很累，但他很努力。

Although tired, he is very hardworking.

虽然...但是... structure

他努力想学好英语。

He strives to learn English well.

努力 + 想 + Verb

老师说他很努力。

The teacher said he is very hardworking.

Reported speech

我们要更加努力。

We need to work even harder.

更加 (even more) + 努力

只要你努力，梦想就能实现。

As long as you work hard, dreams can come true.

只要...就... structure

他努力克服了困难。

He worked hard to overcome difficulties.

努力 + Verb + Resultative

这种成功离不开他的努力。

This success is inseparable from his effort.

离不开 (cannot do without)

他努力改变自己的生活。

He strives to change his life.

努力 + Abstract verb

他努力地寻找解决办法。

He is working hard to find a solution.

Adverbial usage with 地

如果没有努力，就没有收获。

If there is no effort, there is no harvest.

如果...就... negative

他是一个非常有上进心且努力的人。

He is a very ambitious and hardworking person.

Compound adjectives

他努力适应新的环境。

He is striving to adapt to the new environment.

努力 + 适应 (adapt)

我们要为实现目标而共同努力。

We must work together to achieve our goals.

为...而... structure

他的努力得到了大家的认可。

His efforts have been recognized by everyone.

努力 used as a noun

无论多难，他都坚持努力。

No matter how hard, he persists in striving.

无论...都... structure

他努力平衡工作和生活。

He strives to balance work and life.

努力 + 平衡 (balance)

通过不断的努力，他终于成功了。

Through constant effort, he finally succeeded.

通过... (through...)

他的成功并非偶然，而是努力的结果。

His success is not accidental, but the result of hard work.

并非...而是... structure

我们要努力营造良好的学习氛围。

We must strive to create a good learning atmosphere.

努力 + 营造 (create/build)

他努力争取到了这个机会。

He worked hard to win this opportunity.

努力 + 争取 (strive for)

他这种锲而不舍的努力令人敬佩。

His persevering efforts are admirable.

Idiom + 努力

企业应努力提升核心竞争力。

Enterprises should strive to enhance their core competitiveness.

Formal business context

他所有的努力都付诸东流了。

All his efforts went down the drain.

Use of idioms (付诸东流)

我们应当努力探索未知领域。

We should strive to explore unknown fields.

Academic/Scientific context

他的成功是天赋与努力的完美结合。

His success is a perfect combination of talent and hard work.

Abstract philosophical statement

政府正努力缓解就业压力。

The government is striving to alleviate employment pressure.

Political/Social context

他努力克制住内心的愤怒。

He strove to restrain his inner anger.

Effort applied to emotions

只有不懈努力，才能攀登人生的高峰。

Only through unremitting effort can one climb the peaks of life.

Only... then... (只有...才能)

在内卷的时代，单纯的努力是否足够？

In the era of involution, is simple effort enough?

Sociological critique

他的一生都在为民族复兴而努力奋斗。

He spent his whole life striving for national rejuvenation.

High-level political discourse

这种努力背后隐藏着深刻的社会焦虑。

Behind this effort lies deep social anxiety.

Psychological analysis

他努力在传统与现代之间寻找平衡点。

He strives to find a balance between tradition and modernity.

Cultural philosophical context

他的作品体现了人类努力超越自我的精神。

His work embodies the spirit of humanity striving to transcend itself.

Literary criticism

我们不能盲目努力，而应审时度势。

We shouldn't strive blindly, but should assess the situation.

Strategic advice

即便希望渺茫，他依然选择努力一搏。

Even if hope is slim, he still chooses to give it a hard try.

Dramatic/Literary tone

这种努力的本质是对生命价值的追求。

The essence of this effort is the pursuit of life's value.

Existential statement

Collocations courantes

努力学习 (study hard)

努力工作 (work hard)

非常努力 (very hardworking)

更加努力 (work even harder)

共同努力 (work together)

付出努力 (put in effort)

不断努力 (constant effort)

白费努力 (wasted effort)

努力提高 (strive to improve)

努力克服 (strive to overcome)

Phrases Courantes

加油努力 (Go for it, work hard)

努力奋斗 (Strive and struggle)

自强不息 (Self-improvement through effort)

一份努力，一份收获 (No pain, no gain)

加倍努力 (Double the effort)

默默努力 (Work hard in silence)

努力向上 (Strive upwards)

不懈努力 (Unremitting effort)

虚假努力 (Fake effort)

过度努力 (Over-exertion)

Souvent confondu avec

努力 vs 勤奋 (more formal/habitual)

努力 vs 辛苦 (describes the pain, not the effort)

努力 vs 费力 (describes the difficulty of the task)

Expressions idiomatiques

Facile à confondre

努力 vs

Structures de phrases

Famille de mots

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

Tone Change

No major tone changes, but 'nǔ' is a low dipping tone.

Verb vs Adjective

As a verb, it means 'to strive'. As an adjective, it means 'diligent'.

Erreurs courantes

Don't use 'do' with 努力.
Needs a degree adverb like '很' when used at the end.
Use '地' for adverbs, not '的'.
Usually, '很' is for adjectives, not when 努力 is an adverb.
Needs the particle '的' between the adjective and noun.

Astuces

The Spirit of Effort

In China, being called '努力' is often more respected than being called 'smart'.

Word Order

Always place 努力 before the action you are working hard at.

Strength

Remember the character 力 (strength) is half of the word!

Encouragement

Use '努力！' as a short, punchy way to cheer someone on.

Stroke Order

Pay attention to the '力' part; it's only two strokes.

Tones

Make sure the 4th tone on 'lì' is sharp and falling.

Opposites

Learn 懒惰 (lazy) alongside 努力 to remember both better.

Modesty

If someone praises your Chinese, you can say '我还要努力' (I still need to work hard).

Resumes

Always include '工作努力' in your Chinese CV.

Song Lyrics

Listen for this word in C-pop; it's everywhere in 'inspirational' songs.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Contexte culturel

Emphasis on self-cultivation and constant learning.

Involution (内卷) is the dark side of 努力.

The 'Chicken Blood' (鸡血) culture refers to being hyper-motivated and 努力.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"你最近在努力做什么？"

"你觉得努力和天赋哪个更重要？"

"你在学习汉语时最努力的是什么？"

"你是一个努力的人吗？"

"你努力工作是为了什么？"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time you worked very hard to achieve something.

Do you think people today are too 努力?

How do you feel when someone calls you 努力?

What is your plan to 努力学习汉语 this year?

Describe a person you know who is very 努力.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, that sounds like 'to do a hardworking.' Use '付出努力' or just the verb '努力'.

No, it can be for hobbies, relationships, or any goal.

努力 is general effort; 勤奋 is a consistent, long-term habit of being industrious.

You can say '我会努力的' or '我会尽力的'.

Rarely. It usually implies a positive, constructive effort.

Usually no, it's seen as encouragement, but context matters.

It means 'to waste effort' or 'effort in vain'.

Yes, when it's an adverb modifying a verb, like '努力地工作'.

No, but it's a common concept in names of companies or slogans.

努力的人 (nǔlì de rén).