nou5 lik6努力

Jyutpingnou5 lik6

Yalenóuh lihk

動詞Very common

Definition

To make great efforts; to try hard or work hard.

neutralworkschool

How it's used

While 努力 is widely understood and used in formal contexts, native speakers often prefer the phrase 俾心機 when encouraging someone to put effort into a specific task. Using 努力 can sound slightly more abstract or like a general life goal, whereas 俾心機 feels more immediate and personal. It is common to hear people say 俾心機啲 to urge someone to focus or try harder right now.

Examples

nei5你jat1一ding6定jiu3要nou5努lik6力duk6讀syu1書aa4呀。

You must study hard.

keoi5佢zeoi3最gan6近hou2好nou5努lik6力zou6做je5嘢㗎。

He has been working very hard lately.

Common phrases

gaa1加pui5倍nou5努lik6力

to work doubly hard

nou5努lik6力gung1工zok3作

to work hard

Common mistake

Avoid using 努力 as a direct translation for the English verb try in the sense of testing something out, as that would be 試. Also, do not confuse it with 盡力, which specifically emphasizes exhausting all one's capabilities to achieve a result rather than just the act of working hard.