Upholding your inherent responsibilities and ethical boundaries is your 'benfen'.
Word in 30 Seconds
- One's duty or proper role
- Doing what you are supposed to do
- Emphasizes responsibility and ethical conduct
Overview
本分（běn fèn）是一个中文词语，意指一个人应尽的职责、应有的本业或应遵守的规矩。它涵盖了个人在家庭、工作、社会等不同角色中所承担的责任和义务，以及在行为上应有的分寸和界限。这个词强调的是“做好自己的事”，不越权、不妄为，也不推卸责任。它是一种对个人行为和责任的道德要求，体现了中国传统文化中关于个人修养和社会秩序的观念。
本分通常用作名词，表示“职责”或“本职工作”。它可以单独使用，也可以与“守”、“尽”、“做好”、“不越”等动词搭配。例如，“守本分”表示恪守自己的职责，“尽本分”表示履行自己的义务，“做好本分”表示出色地完成自己的工作。在口语和书面语中都很常见，尤其在讨论职业道德、家庭责任或个人行为规范时。
**工作领域**
强调员工应做好本职工作，不越界干涉他人事务。例如：“作为一名普通员工，我只知道做好自己的本分。” 2. 家庭关系: 指子女对父母、配偶之间应尽的责任和义务。例如：“孝敬父母是我的本分。” 3. 社会责任: 指公民应遵守的法律法规和社会道德规范。例如：“维护社会治安是每个公民的本分。” 4. 个人修养: 指个人应有的品德和行为准则，不贪图不属于自己的东西。例如：“他安于本分，从不觊觎别人的财产。”
义务通常指法律或道义上规定必须履行的责任。它比本分更具强制性。本分则包含了义务，但更强调“分内”之事，是一种主动承担的责任。
职责更侧重于法律、制度或约定俗成的规定所赋予的责任和义务，强调的是“职”和“责”的对应关系。本分则更侧重于个人内心的道德感和行为准则，是一种更广泛的个人责任认知。
本职特指一个人所担任的职务或工作岗位。本分比本职的含义更广，除了工作职责，还包括个人的行为规范和道德要求。
Examples
作为一名老师，教书育人是我的本分。
everydayAs a teacher, educating students is my duty.
他一向安于本分，从不妄想不属于自己的东西。
formalHe has always been content with his lot and never coveted what wasn't his.
你就做好你自己的本分就行了，别管那么多闲事。
informalJust do your own job and don't meddle in other people's business.
在社会契约论中，公民履行其本分是维护社会秩序的基础。
academicIn social contract theory, citizens fulfilling their duties forms the basis for maintaining social order.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
做好自己的本分
Do one's own duty well
恪守本分
Strictly adhere to one's duty
不越本分
Not overstep one's bounds
Often Confused With
'职责' (zhí zé) is more specific to the duties assigned by a position or role, often with formal implications. '本分' (běn fèn) is broader, encompassing personal ethics and what one inherently ought to do, regardless of a formal title.
'义务' (yì wù) refers to obligations that must be fulfilled, often legally or morally binding. '本分' includes obligations but also emphasizes staying within one's proper sphere and behaving appropriately.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '本分' (běn fèn) is commonly used in everyday conversation and writing. It generally carries a neutral to positive connotation, implying responsibility and ethical conduct. While it can be used in formal settings, it often appears in discussions about personal morality, family roles, or professional ethics.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse '本分' with more specific terms like '职责' or '义务'. While related, '本分' has a broader sense of one's inherent role and proper conduct. Avoid using it to describe a legally mandated duty unless it also aligns with personal ethics.
Tips
Understand Your Role
Think about the different roles you play in life (student, employee, family member) and what responsibilities come with each.
Avoid Overstepping
Be mindful of not interfering in matters that are not your responsibility or concern.
Traditional Values
The concept of 'benfen' is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese culture, emphasizing social harmony and individual accountability.
Word Origin
The character '本' (běn) refers to the root or origin, while '分' (fèn) means division or share. Together, '本分' implies one's original share or assigned role, the part that belongs to one by nature or position.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, fulfilling one's 'benfen' is highly valued as it contributes to social harmony and stability. It reflects a traditional emphasis on role fulfillment and ethical behavior within societal structures.
Memory Tip
Think of '本' (origin/root) and '分' (part/division). '本分' is the part you belong to, your root responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions‘职责’通常指法律或规定上的责任，而‘本分’更侧重于个人内心的道德感和应有的行为分寸，含义更广泛，也更强调自我约束。
当你想强调一个人应该做好自己的分内事，或者在某个角色（如员工、子女）上应尽的责任和义务时，就可以使用‘本分’。
通常不带贬义，‘本分’是一个中性词，甚至带有褒义，因为它强调的是责任感和道德感。但在某些语境下，如果说某人‘只知本分’，可能暗示其缺乏进取心。
‘安于本分’指的是满足于自己应有的职责和地位，不贪图非分之想，不强求不属于自己的东西。这是一种知足常乐、踏实稳重的态度。
Test Yourself
作为一名学生，认真学习是你的______。
‘本分’指应尽的责任和义务，符合句意。
‘尽本分’的意思最接近于：
‘尽本分’就是做好自己应该做的事情，履行自己的责任。
请用‘本分’这个词语，将以下词语组合成一个完整句子：做好 / 我的 / 本分 / 是 / 我
‘做好我的本分’是名词性短语，可以作为‘是’的表语，构成‘做好我的本分是我的’（责任/工作等）的完整意思。
Score: /3
Summary
Upholding your inherent responsibilities and ethical boundaries is your 'benfen'.
- One's duty or proper role
- Doing what you are supposed to do
- Emphasizes responsibility and ethical conduct
Understand Your Role
Think about the different roles you play in life (student, employee, family member) and what responsibilities come with each.
Avoid Overstepping
Be mindful of not interfering in matters that are not your responsibility or concern.
Traditional Values
The concept of 'benfen' is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese culture, emphasizing social harmony and individual accountability.
Examples
4 of 4作为一名老师，教书育人是我的本分。
As a teacher, educating students is my duty.
他一向安于本分，从不妄想不属于自己的东西。
He has always been content with his lot and never coveted what wasn't his.
你就做好你自己的本分就行了，别管那么多闲事。
Just do your own job and don't meddle in other people's business.
在社会契约论中，公民履行其本分是维护社会秩序的基础。
In social contract theory, citizens fulfilling their duties forms the basis for maintaining social order.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More work words
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
