This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun #5,500 most common 9 min read

尽责

jìn zé Top 5,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 尽责 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 尽责 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 尽责 (jìnzé) as being a 'good worker' or 'good student.' While the word itself might be a bit advanced for a total beginner, the concept is simple: doing your job well. You might see it in simple sentences like 'He is a good doctor' (他是一个尽责的医生). At this stage, focus on the idea that this word is a way to say someone is 'very good' at their specific job or role. It is a positive word used for praise. You don't need to worry about the complex grammar yet; just remember that it describes people who do what they are supposed to do. For example, if a child cleans their room every day without being asked, we can say they are 'jìnzé.' It’s like a gold star on a chart for being a responsible person. Think of it as 'Good + Job' combined into one word.

At the A2 level, you should start using 尽责 to describe people's characters and habits. You can use the basic pattern 'Subject + 很 + 尽责.' For example, '我的老师很尽责' (My teacher is very dutiful). You will also start to see it in descriptions of family members or workers. It's important to distinguish it from '负责' (fùzé). At A2, remember that '负责' is usually about who is doing the work, while '尽责' is about how well they do it. You might use it to talk about your daily routines or your pet. If you take your dog for a walk every single day and never forget to feed it, you are a '尽责的主人' (dutiful owner). This level is about applying the word to familiar, everyday situations to show that you or someone else is reliable and can be trusted with small tasks.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 尽责 in more complex sentence structures, specifically using the '对...尽责' pattern. For instance, '每个人都应该对自己的行为尽责' (Everyone should be responsible for their own actions). You will also encounter the adverbial form '尽责地' (dutifully). At this stage, you should understand that '尽责' is not just a compliment but a social expectation. You might use it in a job interview to describe your work style: '我工作一向很尽责' (I have always been very dutiful in my work). You will also start to see it in slightly more formal reading materials, like workplace newsletters or school reports. It becomes a key word for discussing character traits and professional ethics. You should be comfortable explaining why someone is 尽责 by providing examples of their thoroughness.

At the B2 level, 尽责 is used to discuss broader social and ethical issues. You might talk about 'social responsibility' (社会责任) and how individuals must '尽责' to maintain a healthy society. You will understand the nuance between '尽责' and '尽职' (fulfilling professional duties). At this level, you can use the word in debates or essays about accountability. For example, you might argue about whether celebrities are being '尽责' as role models. You will also notice the word in more sophisticated literature or news commentary. You should be able to use it to describe abstract concepts, like being '尽责' to the environment or to future generations. The word now carries a sense of moral obligation and professional integrity that goes beyond just 'doing a good job.' You can also use it to criticize negligence in a formal way: '这种不尽责的行为是不可接受的' (This kind of irresponsible behavior is unacceptable).

At the C1 level, you will explore the philosophical and historical roots of 尽责. You should be able to connect it to Confucian concepts of 'Zhong' (忠 - loyalty) and 'Shu' (恕 - empathy). You will encounter it in legal documents, high-level business contracts (like 'due diligence'), and academic papers on ethics. You should be able to use synonyms like '恪尽职守' (kèjìn zhíshǒu) or '兢兢业业' (jīngjīng yèyè) to add variety and precision to your speech and writing. At this level, you understand that '尽责' is a cornerstone of the Chinese professional and social identity. You can analyze how the definition of being '尽责' might differ between cultures. You will use the word to describe complex situations where duties might conflict, and one must choose which responsibility to '尽' (exhaust) first. Your usage should be flawless, including the correct use of formal particles and advanced sentence patterns.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 尽责 and all its related classical and modern forms. You can use it in highly formal speeches, poetic writing, or complex negotiation. You understand the subtle historical shifts in how the term has been used from the imperial era to the modern socialist market economy. You can appreciate the word's use in classical literature, where it might describe a general's duty to the emperor or a scholar's duty to the truth. You can use '尽责' to discuss the most nuanced aspects of human character, such as the internal struggle between personal desire and public duty. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for deep cultural and ethical analysis. You can use it to construct powerful rhetoric about the nature of service, sacrifice, and the ultimate fulfillment of one's purpose in life. Your command of the word allows you to use it with perfect tone, register, and cultural resonance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

尽责 in 30 Seconds

尽责 (jìnzé) means dutiful or responsible, emphasizing the thorough fulfillment of one's duties.
It is a highly positive term used to praise workers, parents, and students for their reliability.
Commonly used in the pattern '对...尽责' (responsible for/to something) or as an adjective '很尽责'.
It differs from '负责' by focusing on the quality and completeness of the duty performed.

The Chinese word 尽责 (jìnzé) is a powerful compound that combines two deep concepts: jìn (尽), meaning to exhaust, fulfill, or reach the limit, and zé (责), meaning responsibility or duty. Together, they describe the act of fulfilling one's duties to the absolute best of one's ability. It is more than just being 'responsible'; it implies a level of devotion and thoroughness where no part of the task is left unfinished. In Chinese society, being called 尽责 is a high compliment, often associated with a reliable character and a strong work ethic.

Professional Reliability: In the workplace, this word describes an employee who doesn't just do what they are told but ensures that the quality of their work is impeccable. It is the hallmark of a 'model worker.'
Social and Moral Duty: Outside of work, it applies to roles like being a parent, a student, or a citizen. A 尽责的父亲 (jìnzé de fùqīn) is a father who is deeply involved and dutiful in raising his children.

Historically, the concept of 尽责 is rooted in Confucianism, where every individual has a specific role in the social hierarchy. To be 尽责 is to maintain the harmony of the whole by perfecting one's part. Whether you are a doctor caring for patients or a student preparing for an exam, the expectation is that you 'exhaust your heart' (尽心) and 'fulfill your duty' (尽责).

作为一名医生，他工作非常尽责，深受病人的信任。 (As a doctor, he is very dutiful in his work and is deeply trusted by his patients.)

You will encounter this word in official evaluations, news reports about heroic deeds, and in daily conversations when someone wants to express that another person is extremely dependable. It carries a sense of moral weight—it’s not just about finishing a task, but about the integrity with which the task is finished. When you use this word, you are acknowledging that the person has put their heart and soul into their obligations.

只有每个人都尽责，团队才能成功。 (Only if everyone fulfills their duty can the team succeed.)

Daily Life Usage: Used when praising a pet owner for taking good care of their animal or a student for finishing all their extra credit work.

In summary, 尽责 is the bridge between having a responsibility and mastering it. It reflects a mindset of total commitment. In an era of 'quiet quitting' or doing the bare minimum, 尽责 stands as a traditional and highly valued counterpoint, representing the virtue of doing one's utmost for the sake of the duty itself.

Using 尽责 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. It can function as an adjective, a verb phrase, or an adverb when modified. Unlike some English adjectives, it often requires a degree of intensity or a specific structure to sound natural in Mandarin.

As an Adjective: The most common use is 'Subject + 很/非常 + 尽责'. For example: '这位老师很尽责' (This teacher is very dutiful).
As an Attributive (Modifying a Noun): Use '尽责的 + Noun'. For example: '一个尽责的员工' (A responsible employee).

我们要学会对自己的人生尽责。 (We must learn to be responsible for our own lives.)

A key pattern involves the preposition '对' (duì). When you want to specify what someone is being dutiful toward, use the structure: [Person] + 对 + [Task/Person] + 很尽责. For example, '他对家庭很尽责' (He is very dutiful toward his family). This clarifies the target of the responsibility.

When using it as an adverb, you add '地' (de) to describe how an action is performed. '他尽责地完成了任务' (He dutifully completed the task). This usage emphasizes the manner of work. It is particularly common in formal reports or storytelling where the character's attitude is being highlighted.

因为他的尽责，公司避免了重大损失。 (Because of his dutifulness, the company avoided a major loss.)

Negative Form: To say someone is not dutiful, use '不尽责' (bù jìnzé). This is a strong criticism, implying negligence.

In summary, whether you are describing a person's character or the way they handle a specific project, 尽责 provides a nuanced way to express high standards. Remember that it carries a positive connotation, so it is best used when you want to praise someone's integrity and effort.

You will encounter 尽责 in various contexts ranging from the professional to the deeply personal. It is a word that appears frequently in both spoken and written Chinese, particularly when the topic involves accountability and work ethic.

The Modern Workplace: During annual performance reviews (年终考核), managers often use this word to describe employees who exceed expectations. You might hear: '他在过去的一年里表现得非常尽责' (He has been very dutiful in the past year).
News and Media: When reporting on public servants, such as police officers, firefighters, or medical staff during a crisis, the media frequently uses '尽责' to highlight their dedication to the public good.

我们的保安每天都非常尽责地巡逻。 (Our security guards patrol very dutifully every day.)

In educational settings, teachers use this word to encourage students or to talk to parents about their children's progress. A student who finishes all assignments on time and helps classmates might be praised as '尽责'. Conversely, if a student is neglecting their duties, a teacher might say they are '不尽责'.

You will also hear it in legal and formal administrative contexts. For example, '尽职调查' (jìnzhí diàochá) is the Chinese term for 'Due Diligence.' While the word is slightly different (尽职 vs 尽责), the root concept of 'exhausting one's duty' is exactly the same. In these contexts, it implies a legal requirement to be thorough.

作为父母，我们必须对孩子的发展尽责。 (As parents, we must be responsible for our children's development.)

Commendations and Awards: When someone receives an 'Employee of the Month' award or a certificate of merit, the citation almost always mentions their '尽责' attitude.

Finally, in community life, people use it to describe good neighbors or volunteers. If someone helps clean the shared hallway or organizes a community event without being asked, they are often described as 尽责. It is a word that builds trust and strengthens social bonds in any environment.

While 尽责 is a straightforward word, learners often confuse it with similar terms or use it in grammatically awkward ways. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker.

Mistake 1: Confusing 尽责 with 负责 (fùzé): This is the most common error. '负责' means to be 'in charge of' or 'responsible for' a specific task. '尽责' describes the quality of being dutiful. You can '负责' a project but not be '尽责' about it (i.e., you are the manager, but you are lazy).
Mistake 2: Missing the Preposition '对': Learners often say '他尽责他的工作' (He dutifuls his work), which is incorrect. You must use '对' to link the person to the duty: '他对工作很尽责'.

Incorrect: 他很尽责他的孩子。
Correct: 他对孩子很尽责。

Another mistake is using '尽责' as a simple action verb like 'do'. You cannot say '我要尽责这个任务' (I want to duty this task). Instead, you should say '我要尽到责任' (I want to fulfill my responsibility) or '我要尽责地完成这个任务' (I want to dutifully complete this task).

Learners also sometimes confuse '尽责' with '尽力' (jìnlì). While '尽力' means to 'try one's best' (effort-focused), '尽责' is 'to fulfill one's duty' (obligation-focused). You can '尽力' to win a race, but you '尽责' to take care of your elderly parents.

Mistake 3: Overusing it in Informal Contexts: While not strictly wrong, calling a friend '尽责' because they brought snacks to a party sounds a bit too formal. In such cases, '靠谱' (kàopǔ - reliable) or '贴心' (tiēxīn - thoughtful) might be better.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will use 尽责 with the precision and gravitas it deserves. Always remember the 'Person + 对 + Something + 很尽责' pattern as your safe default structure.

Mandarin has many words that touch upon the idea of responsibility and duty. Choosing the right one depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Here is a breakdown of how 尽责 compares to its closest relatives.

负责 (fùzé): This is the most neutral and common word for 'responsible.' It can be a verb ('Who is responsible for this?') or an adjective ('He is a responsible person'). Unlike 尽责, it doesn't necessarily imply that the person is doing an extraordinary job, just that the duty belongs to them.
尽心 (jìnxīn): This means 'to put one's heart into it.' It focuses on the emotional and mental effort. You can be 尽心 without having a formal 'duty' (责), whereas 尽责 always implies there is a specific obligation being fulfilled.

Comparison:
1. 他很负责 (He is responsible/in charge).
2. 他很尽责 (He is dutiful/thorough in his duties).
3. 他很尽心 (He puts his heart into everything he does).

Another related word is 称职 (chènzhí), which means 'competent' or 'well-qualified for the post.' This is specifically used for jobs. A 尽责的老师 (dutiful teacher) might stay late to help students, while a 称职的老师 (competent teacher) is someone who simply has the skills and knowledge to teach effectively.

In formal settings, you might use 恪尽职守 (kèjìn zhíshǒu), which is a four-character idiom (chengyu) meaning 'to scrupulously abide by one's duty.' This is the 'high-level' version of 尽责, often used in official speeches or eulogies to describe someone whose entire life was defined by their service.

担当 (dāndāng): This word means 'to take on responsibility' or 'to have shoulders' for a task. It emphasizes the courage and willingness to accept a difficult duty, whereas 尽责 emphasizes the execution of that duty.

By choosing between these words, you can specify whether you are praising someone's heart (尽心), their competence (称职), their official status (负责), their courage (担当), or their thoroughness in duty (尽责).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '尽' in its traditional form (盡) shows a brush over a container, emphasizing the act of cleaning it out completely.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tɕin⁵¹ tsɤ³⁵/

US /tɕin⁵¹ tsʌ³⁵/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'jìn', with the second syllable 'zé' rising in tone.

Rhymes With

近 (jìn) 进 (jìn) 信 (xìn) 心 (xīn - partial) 则 (zé) 责 (zé) 泽 (zé) 德 (dé - partial)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jin' as 'jing' (adding a 'g' sound).
Using the 3rd tone for 'jin' instead of the 4th tone.
Pronouncing 'ze' as 'zeh' (like 'get') instead of the Mandarin 'e' sound.
Confusing the 'z' in 'ze' with a 'zh' sound.
Failing to rise enough on the second syllable 'zé'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are relatively common but '责' can be tricky to write.

Writing 3/5

Traditional form of '尽' (盡) is complex; simplified is easier.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward if tones are mastered.

Listening 2/5

Easy to recognize in professional contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

负责工作老师医生好

Learn Next

尽力尽心职责义务贡献

Advanced

恪尽职守兢兢业业鞠躬尽瘁问责制

Grammar to Know

Preposition '对' (duì) for target

我对工作很尽责。

Adverbial '地' (de)

他尽责地完成了任务。

Degree complement '得' (de)

他表现得很尽责。

Attributive '的' (de)

尽责的医生。

Negative '不' (bù)

他不尽责。

Examples by Level

他是一个尽责的医生。

He is a dutiful doctor.

Simple adjective use with '的'.

我的妈妈很尽责。

My mother is very responsible.

Subject + 很 + Adjective.

尽责的人很好。

Dutiful people are very good.

Noun phrase.

你是一个尽责的学生吗？

Are you a dutiful student?

Question form.

老师非常尽责。

The teacher is extremely dutiful.

Using '非常' for emphasis.

我们要尽责。

We must be dutiful.

Modal verb '要' + verb phrase.

他不尽责。

He is not dutiful.

Negative form '不'.

小狗的主人很尽责。

The puppy's owner is very responsible.

Possessive '的' + Subject.

他工作很尽责，每天都很早到。

He is very dutiful at work; he arrives early every day.

Connecting two clauses.

作为班长，他非常尽责。

As the class monitor, he is very dutiful.

Using '作为' (as).

一个尽责的员工会准时完成任务。

A dutiful employee will complete tasks on time.

Attributive use.

你对你的宠物尽责吗？

Are you responsible for your pet?

Pattern: 对...尽责.

虽然他很忙，但他对家庭很尽责。

Although he is busy, he is very dutiful to his family.

Conjunction '虽然...但是'.

老师夸奖他是一个尽责的孩子。

The teacher praised him for being a dutiful child.

Verb '夸奖' (praise).

不尽责的人很难获得成功。

People who are not dutiful find it hard to achieve success.

Subject clause.

她尽责地打扫了房间。

She dutifully cleaned the room.

Adverbial '地'.

在这次项目中，每个人都表现得很尽责。

In this project, everyone performed very dutifully.

Complement of degree '表现得'.

尽责不仅是工作的要求，也是做人的准则。

Being dutiful is not only a work requirement but also a principle of being a person.

Not only... but also (不仅...也).

他因为工作不尽责而被老板批评了。

He was criticized by the boss because he was not dutiful in his work.

Passive voice '被'.

我们要对环境尽责，减少使用塑料。

We must be responsible for the environment and reduce plastic use.

Abstract object for '对'.

这位司机非常尽责，确保每个乘客都安全到达。

This driver is very dutiful, ensuring every passenger arrives safely.

Clause expressing purpose.

如果你对工作尽责，你就会得到升职的机会。

If you are dutiful in your work, you will get a chance for promotion.

Conditional '如果...就'.

他的尽责精神值得我们每个人学习。

His spirit of dutifulness is worth learning from for all of us.

Noun phrase '尽责精神'.

为了给孩子一个好榜样，他总是尽责地做事。

In order to set a good example for his children, he always does things dutifully.

Purpose clause '为了'.

企业应当对社会尽责，而不仅仅是追求利润。

Enterprises should be responsible to society, not just pursue profits.

Contrast '而不仅仅是'.

他在关键时刻表现出了极高的尽责感。

He showed a very high sense of responsibility at the critical moment.

Abstract noun '尽责感'.

政府必须对公民的安全尽责。

The government must be responsible for the safety of its citizens.

Formal subject.

由于他的不尽责，导致了这场不可挽回的事故。

Due to his lack of responsibility, this irreversible accident was caused.

Causal link '由于...导致'.

尽责意味着在没有人监督的时候也能做好工作。

Being dutiful means doing a good job even when no one is watching.

Defining a term '意味着'.

他在处理这件棘手的事情时非常尽责。

He was very dutiful when handling this thorny matter.

Handling a situation '处理'.

这名记者尽责地报道了事实的真相。

This reporter dutifully reported the truth of the facts.

Adverbial modifying a specific verb.

法律要求监护人必须对被监护人尽责。

The law requires guardians to be responsible for their wards.

Formal legal context.

恪尽职守是每一位公职人员应有的尽责态度。

Scrupulously abiding by one's duty is the dutiful attitude every public official should have.

Using '恪尽职守' as a synonym.

他那种近乎苛刻的尽责，有时会让同事感到压力。

His almost harsh dutifulness sometimes puts pressure on his colleagues.

Complex noun phrase modification.

在道德哲学中，尽责被视为一种核心的美德。

In moral philosophy, being dutiful is regarded as a core virtue.

Academic passive '被视为'.

无论环境多么恶劣，他都始终如一地尽责。

No matter how harsh the environment, he is consistently dutiful.

Consistent '始终如一'.

这种不尽责的官僚主义作风遭到了大众的唾弃。

This irresponsible bureaucratic style was spurned by the public.

Formal criticism.

他在遗嘱中表达了对家族未来尽责的期望。

In his will, he expressed expectations for responsibility toward the family's future.

Formal document context.

通过尽责的工作，他赢得了行业内的广泛尊重。

Through dutiful work, he won widespread respect within the industry.

Method '通过'.

尽责不仅是对外的承诺，更是对内的自我约束。

Being dutiful is not only an external commitment but also an internal self-restraint.

Philosophical contrast.

他以一种近乎殉道者的姿态，在偏远山区尽责地教书三十年。

With an almost martyr-like posture, he dutifully taught in remote mountains for thirty years.

Metaphorical language.

史书评价这位大臣‘鞠躬尽瘁，尽责至死’。

History books evaluate this minister as 'giving his all and being dutiful until death'.

Classical idiom '鞠躬尽瘁'.

在当代社会，个人主义与尽责精神之间的张力愈发显著。

In contemporary society, the tension between individualism and the spirit of duty has become increasingly prominent.

Sociological analysis.

他深知，作为一名法官，唯有尽责才能捍卫法律的尊严。

He knew deeply that as a judge, only by being dutiful could he defend the dignity of the law.

Conditional '唯有...才能'.

这种深植于文化血脉中的尽责感，是民族复兴的基石。

This sense of duty, deeply rooted in the cultural bloodstream, is the cornerstone of national rejuvenation.

Elevated rhetorical style.

他并非为了名利，而是出于一种纯粹的尽责本能去救人。

He did not save people for fame or wealth, but out of a pure instinct of duty.

Contrast '并非...而是'.

其文辞之间流露出的尽责之情，感人至深。

The feeling of dutifulness revealed between the lines of his writing is deeply moving.

Literary analysis.

在全球化背景下，国家间如何共同尽责是一个严峻的挑战。

In the context of globalization, how nations can collectively fulfill their duties is a severe challenge.

Geopolitical context.

Common Collocations

尽责的员工

工作尽责

对家庭尽责

表现尽责

极度尽责

不够尽责

尽责地完成

尽责精神

老师尽责

对自己尽责

Common Phrases

尽心尽责

— To put one's heart into and fulfill one's duty completely.

他对待工作总是尽心尽责。

尽责到底

— To be responsible until the very end.

既然开始了，就要尽责到底。

尽职尽责

— A formal way to say fulfilling all duties and responsibilities.

党员应该尽职尽责。

不尽责的行为

— Irresponsible behavior.

我们不能容忍不尽责的行为。

尽责感的培养

— The cultivation of a sense of responsibility.

学校重视尽责感的培养。

尽责的态度

— A dutiful attitude.

态度决定一切，尤其是尽责的态度。

尽责的模范

— A model of dutifulness.

他是全村尽责的模范。

尽责的守护者

— A dutiful guardian.

他是这片森林尽责的守护者。

尽责地履行

— To dutifully perform (a contract or duty).

他尽责地履行了合同。

尽责的呼唤

— The call of duty.

他听从了内心尽责的呼唤。

Often Confused With

尽责 vs 负责

Responsible for (status) vs Dutiful (quality).

尽责 vs 尽力

Try one's best (effort) vs Fulfill duty (obligation).

尽责 vs 称职

Competent (skill) vs Dutiful (attitude).

Idioms & Expressions

"恪尽职守"

— Scrupulously fulfilling one's duty; never neglecting one's post.

他几十年如一日，恪尽职守。

Formal

"兢兢业业"

— To be cautious and conscientious; dedicated and hard-working.

他在教育事业上兢兢业业。

Neutral

"鞠躬尽瘁"

— To give one's all; to work one's heart out until death.

诸葛亮为蜀汉鞠躬尽瘁。

Literary

"忠于职守"

— Loyal to one's post or duty.

军人必须忠于职守。

Formal

"任劳任怨"

— To work hard without complaint despite criticism.

她任劳任怨地照顾老人。

Neutral

"责无旁贷"

— To be duty-bound; no turning away from responsibility.

保护环境，我们责无旁贷。

Formal

"尽心竭力"

— To do one's utmost with all one's heart.

他尽心竭力地帮助朋友。

Neutral

"当仁不让"

— To not decline a responsibility when it is the right thing to do.

面对困难，他当仁不让。

Literary

"身体力行"

— To practice what one preaches; to fulfill duty through action.

他身体力行地推广环保。

Formal

"死而后已"

— Until one's dying day (usually paired with '鞠躬尽瘁').

他为国家鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已。

Classical

Easily Confused

尽责 vs 负责

Both translate to 'responsible' in English.

负责 is more about the assignment, 尽责 is more about the moral execution.

谁负责？ (Who's in charge?) vs 他很尽责。 (He is very dutiful.)

尽责 vs 尽职

Very similar meaning.

尽职 is strictly professional (job-related), 尽责 can be personal (family/self).

尽职的保安 vs 尽责的父亲

尽责 vs 勤奋

Both involve hard work.

勤奋 is 'diligent/hard-working,' 尽责 is 'dutiful/reliable.'

勤奋学习 vs 尽责工作

尽责 vs 认真

Both imply taking things seriously.

认真 is 'serious/earnest' in the moment, 尽责 is a long-term character trait of duty.

认真写字 vs 尽责的员工

尽责 vs 担当

Both relate to responsibility.

担当 is the 'shouldering' of a burden, 尽责 is the 'fulfillment' of the duty.

有担当的领导 vs 尽责的下属

Sentence Patterns

Subject + 很 + 尽责

他很尽责。

尽责的 + Noun

尽责的老师。

对 + Object + 很尽责

他对孩子很尽责。

表现得 + 很尽责

他表现得很尽责。

尽责地 + Verb

他尽责地工作。

由于...不尽责

由于他不尽责，计划失败了。

尽责精神

这种尽责精神值得学习。

唯有...才能尽责

唯有努力，才能对得起这份尽责。

Word Family

Nouns

责任 (zérèn) - responsibility

职责 (zhízé) - duty

责备 (zébèi) - blame

Verbs

负责 (fùzé) - to be responsible

尽 (jìn) - to exhaust

责令 (zélìng) - to order

Adjectives

尽责 (jìnzé) - dutiful

负责 (fùzé) - responsible

不负责任 (bù fù zérèn) - irresponsible

尽心 (jìnxīn)

尽力 (jìnlì)

责任感 (zérèngǎn)

义务 (yìwù)

使命 (shǐmìng)

How to Use It

frequency

High in work and social evaluations.

Common Mistakes

他尽责他的工作。 → 他对工作很尽责。
You need the preposition '对' to link the subject to the object of the duty.
他是一个负责的医生。 → 他是一个尽责的医生。
While '负责' is okay, '尽责' is a better compliment for a doctor's attitude.
我要尽责这个任务。 → 我要尽责地完成这个任务。
尽责 is usually an adjective or adverb, not a direct transitive verb.
他不尽力，所以他不尽责。 → 他没有尽责。
'尽力' (effort) and '尽责' (duty) are different. You can try hard (尽力) but still fail your duty (不尽责).
Pronouncing 'jìn' as 'jīn'. → jìn (4th tone)
The 4th tone is crucial for the meaning 'to exhaust/fulfill'.

Tips

Use '对' for clarity

Always use '对' when you want to specify who or what the person is being dutiful toward. It makes your sentence structure much clearer.

Face and Duty

In China, being '尽责' is a way to gain 'Face.' If you want to impress a Chinese boss, show that you are '尽责' by being thorough.

Simplified vs Traditional

The simplified '尽' is much easier to write than the traditional '盡'. If you are a beginner, stick to the simplified version.

Pair with '尽心'

The phrase '尽心尽责' is very common. Using four-character phrases like this makes your Chinese sound more advanced.

Tone Accuracy

Ensure the 4th tone on 'jìn' is sharp and falling. A flat tone might make it sound like 'today' (jīn) which would be confusing.

Building Trust

When you call someone '尽责', you are saying you trust them. Use it to build professional relationships.

Job Interviews

This is a great word to use in job interviews to describe your work ethic. It sounds better than just saying 'I work hard.'

Don't confuse with '尽力'

'尽力' is about trying. '尽责' is about finishing the job properly because it is your duty.

Context Clues

If you hear 'jìn' followed by another character in a work setting, it's likely '尽责' or '尽力'.

Daily Practice

Think of one task you did today '尽责地' and say it out loud in Chinese.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jin' as 'Just finished' and 'Ze' as 'Zenith of duty'. You have just finished reaching the zenith of your duty.

Visual Association

Imagine a person cleaning a bowl so thoroughly that it shines (尽) and then handing it over as their promised work (责).

Word Web

Duty Responsibility Exhaust Integrity Work Ethic Reliable Thorough Accountable

Challenge

Try to identify one thing you did today that was 'jìnzé' and one thing that was just 'fùzé'. Write them down in Chinese.

Word Origin

The word is a combination of '尽' (jìn) and '责' (zé). '尽' originally depicted a hand cleaning a vessel (皿), meaning to finish or exhaust everything. '责' originally related to debt or what one owes (shell radical 贝 for money).

Original meaning: To fully pay back what one owes or to exhaustively complete one's obligations.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using '不尽责' as it is a serious moral criticism in a Chinese context.

In English, we might say 'above and beyond' or 'conscientious.' 尽责 captures both of these.

Zhuge Liang (Chu Shi Biao) Lei Feng (Model Soldier) Confucian Analects (on 'Zhong')

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Workplace

年度考核
优秀员工
尽责表现
工作态度

School

尽责的班长
按时交作业
遵守纪律
老师表扬

Family

尽责的父母
照顾老人
做家务
家庭责任

Community

志愿者
尽责的邻居
公共卫生
社区服务

Legal/Professional

尽责调查
履行合同
法律义务
职业操守

Conversation Starters

"你觉得什么样的老师才算是一个尽责的老师？"

"在你的工作中，你见过最尽责的人是谁？"

"你认为对家庭尽责最重要的表现是什么？"

"如果你发现同事不尽责，你会怎么做？"

"你觉得养宠物需要具备哪些尽责的素质？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你生活中一个非常尽责的人，他做了什么让你感动？

反思一下，在过去的一周里，你在哪些方面做到了尽责？

讨论一下‘尽责’与‘个人利益’之间是否存在冲突？

如果你是一名经理，你会如何培养员工的尽责精神？

描述一次因为某人的不尽责而导致的麻烦，你学到了什么？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it is often used to praise children who are reliable with their chores or schoolwork. Example: '他是个尽责的孩子，每天都自己收拾书包。'

It is neutral to slightly formal. It is perfect for workplace evaluations but might sound a bit stiff among close friends for trivial things.

'尽心' means putting your heart into it, focusing on emotion. '尽责' focuses on the obligation and duty. You can be '尽心' without having a '责' (duty).

It is usually used as an adjective (很尽责) or an adverb (尽责地). As a verb, it is often '尽到责任'.

You can say '不尽责' or '不负责任'. '不负责任' is more common for general irresponsibility.

Yes, it is a very strong and positive compliment about someone's character and reliability.

Usually, we use it for the owner of the animal (尽责的主人). It's rare to call an animal '尽责' unless it's a working animal like a sheepdog.

The legal term for Due Diligence is '尽职调查', which uses the '尽' root but a slightly different compound.

It translates to a 'sense of duty' or 'sense of responsibility.' It's a common psychological and social term.

Use '我对父母很尽责' (I am dutiful toward my parents) or '他们是尽责的父母' (They are dutiful parents).