下功夫

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"下功夫" literally means "to put in effort" or "to work hard" on something. It is commonly used to describe dedicating time and energy to improve skills, complete tasks, or achieve goals.

Common Contexts

This phrase is often used in educational or work settings where persistence and diligence are emphasized. For example, students are encouraged to "下功夫" to master a subject, or employees to "下功夫" to improve their job performance.

Collocations and Patterns

Nuances

Using "下功夫" implies more than casual effort; it suggests focused, sustained, and intentional work. It often contrasts with relying on talent or luck alone.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse "下功夫" with just "努力" (effort) alone; "下功夫" often carries a stronger sense of applying effort in a practical, hands-on way rather than abstract striving.

Example Sentences

Learning Chinese requires effort; you can't rely on just interest.

He puts a lot of effort into his work, so his performance is very good.

If you want to improve your writing skills, you have to put in a lot of