zi1 zi1 bat1 gyun6孜孜不倦
Jyutpingzi1 zi1 bat1 gyun6
Yalejī jī bāt gyuhn
Definition
Industrious, diligent, and untiring in teaching or studying.
writtenschoolwork
How it's used
This is a formal idiom rooted in classical Chinese literature, specifically the Analects of Confucius. While it is perfectly correct to use in speech, it carries a sense of high praise and is usually reserved for describing someone who is exceptionally diligent in their academic or professional pursuits. It is rarely used to describe casual hobbies or everyday tasks.
Examples
He studies academic subjects with tireless dedication.
The teacher instructs us with tireless dedication.
Related words
Common phrases
to study with tireless dedication
to instruct with tireless dedication
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe someone who is simply busy or working hard at a job. It specifically implies a scholarly or intellectual depth, so it sounds unnatural when applied to manual labor or routine chores.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
