勤

By extension: zeal, perseverance, and devotion to labor or moral effort.

In moral and administrative language, 勤 expresses steadfast application of energy, whether in physical work, study, or service.

Phono-semantic compound:

力 (힘 력) — semantic component, indicating strength, effort, or manual labor.

堇 (진흙 근 / 제비꽃 근) — phonetic component, providing the sound qín / geun and suggesting endurance or firmness, as in the character’s ancient association with “earth and persistence.”

Thus 力 + 堇 → 勤 — “to exert strength persistently,” hence to labor diligently and tirelessly.

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「勤，勞也。从力，堇聲。」

“勤 means to labor or toil; composed of 力 with phonetic 堇.”

This definition ties 勤 directly to physical and moral exertion, making it a key Confucian and bureaucratic virtue.

Semantic evolution:

Literal: to labor, to exert effort continuously.

Moral: diligent, industrious, dedicated.

Administrative: faithful and tireless in service (勤政, 勤務).

Spiritual / ethical: devoted in practice or cultivation (勤行, 勤修).

勤勉 (근면) — diligence; industriousness

勤奮 (근분) — hard work; earnest striving

勤政 (근정) — diligence in governing; responsible administration

勤學 (근학) — diligent study; devotion to learning

勤倹 (근검) — diligence and frugality

勤務 (근무) — service; duty; working

勤労 (근로) — labor; work; toil

勤続 (근속) — continued service; long-term employment

勤行 (근행) — faithful practice or religious discipline (in Buddhism)

Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典, vol. 357):

「勤，勞也，謂不息也。」

“勤 means to labor; it implies not resting.”

Book of Documents (書經 · 洪範):

「敬以直內，義以方外，勤以行之。」

“Reverence governs the inner life, righteousness orders the outer life, and diligence carries them out” — 勤 as the practical enactment of virtue.

Analects (論語 · 學而):

「敏而好學，不恥下問。」

(Later commentaries gloss “敏” and “勤” as complementary: one quick to learn, one steadfast to persist.)

Mencius (孟子 · 滕文公下):

「勤於政事，則民悅。」

“When a ruler is diligent in affairs of state, the people are pleased.”

In Confucian ethics, 勤 represents one of the essential social virtues, paired with 倹 (검, frugality) to form the ideal of 勤倹治家 (“to manage a household through diligence and thrift”).

In Buddhist texts, 勤 (Pāli: vīriya) is a key term among the Six Pāramitās (六波羅蜜) — “persevering effort” on the path to enlightenment.

In civil service and governance, 勤政 became a term of praise for rulers and officials who labored earnestly for the welfare of the people.