san1 kan4辛勤
Jyutpingsan1 kan4
Yalesān kàhn
Definition
Hardworking, industrious, or toilful.
neutralworkdescriptions
How it's used
While this word conveys the meaning of being hardworking, it carries a slightly more formal or literary tone compared to the ubiquitous 勤力. It is often used in written contexts, formal speeches, or when praising someone's long-term dedication rather than just their immediate effort. In casual daily conversation, native speakers almost always prefer 勤力 or 落力.
Examples
He is very hardworking at work usually.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often overuse this word in casual settings where 勤力 is much more natural. Using it to describe a friend or a simple task can sound overly stiff or like you are reading from a textbook.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
