兢兢业业
- Literal
- cautious, cautious; fearful, fearful
- Figurative
- To do the job day in and day out with a seriousness that never slackens; not brilliance and not precision, but responsibility kept up over the years.
Where does 兢兢业业 come from?
It comes not from a tale but from an ancient text: the four syllables already appear in the 《尚书》, in the "Counsels of Gao Yao," inside a piece of advice on ruling — stay alert and apprehensive, because in a day or two ten thousand matters spring up. 兢兢 is the caution of someone who knows any slip will be paid for, and 业业 the almost fearful respect owed to a heavy responsibility. Over the centuries the fear faded, and today the idiom mostly describes someone who does their job scrupulously and steadily. It is a compliment, and it turns up often when people sum up a long career.
Source (出处): 《尚书·皋陶谟》
How is 兢兢业业 used? Two examples
- 他在这家工厂兢兢业业干了三十年。
He's put in thirty years at this factory, dependable and hardworking the whole time.
- 她做事一向兢兢业业，交给她我们都放心。
She's always been thorough and careful at work, so we can relax once it's in her hands.
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