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功劳 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
功劳gōngláocontributionHSK 7, n, 12 strokes, rank #6705, Very Hard
功劳gōngláomeritorious serviceHSK 7, n, 12 strokes, rank #6705, Very Hard
功劳gōngláocreditHSK 7, n, 12 strokes, rank #6705, Very Hard
gōngláo(gong1lao2)gong lao T1
  1. 1contribution
  2. 2meritorious service
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March 24, 2026

功劳(功勞)gōngláo(gong1lao2)

功劳 (gōngláo) refers to the contributions or meritorious services that someone has made, often recognized in a formal or respectful context. It can denote credit for achievements, emphasizing the importance of acknowledgment in academic, professional, or community settings.

Strokes12Frequency#6705DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, acknowledging功劳 is crucial, especially in collective environments like workplaces or families. Public recognition of an individual's功劳 fosters harmony and encourages further contributions.

Memory tip

Think of 功 (gōng) as 'work' or 'achievement' and 劳 (láo) as 'labor' or 'effort.' Imagine a worker proudly displaying a medal of honor for their hard work, symbolizing their功劳 in a community project.

Meanings of 功劳

gōngláo(gong1lao2)
1contribution
2meritorious service
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 功劳

功劳Simplified
功勞Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6705Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 功劳

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Podcast: 功劳

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AI study notes for 功劳

Quick Contrast

功绩 (gōngjì) refers to achievements or accomplishments, typically emphasizing the results rather than the contributions; use 功劳 when focusing on the recognition of contributions.

Usage Notes

功劳 is often used in contexts where recognition is given, such as awards or commendations. Be cautious not to confuse it with 劳动 (láodòng), which specifically means 'labor' without the connotation of recognition. In formal settings, it's important to use this term appropriately to convey respect.

HSK Study Tips

As a level 6 word, 功劳 connects with other HSK 6 vocabulary related to recognition and achievement. Students should focus on constructing sentences that highlight the contributions of individuals or groups, using this term to enhance their descriptions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 功劳 with 贡献 (gòngxiàn), which also means 'contribution' but lacks the emphasis on recognition. For example, saying '他的贡献是很大的' instead of '他的功劳是很大的' can misrepresent the intent of acknowledgment.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 功劳

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Component characters

功gōngmeritorious deed or service
HSK 75 strokes力
View full entry
劳láotoil
7 strokes力
View full entry

How to say contribution in Chinese

“contribution” in Chinese is功劳gōngláo

功劳 (gōngláo) refers to the contributions or meritorious services that someone has made, often recognized in a formal or respectful context. It can denote credit for achievements, emphasizing the importance of acknowledgment in academic, professional, or community settings.

When to use 功劳

功劳 is often used in contexts where recognition is given, such as awards or commendations. Be cautious not to confuse it with 劳动 (láodòng), which specifically means 'labor' without the connotation of recognition. In formal settings, it's important to use this term appropriately to convey respect.

功劳 or something close to it

功绩 (gōngjì) refers to achievements or accomplishments, typically emphasizing the results rather than the contributions; use 功劳 when focusing on the recognition of contributions.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 功劳 with 贡献 (gòngxiàn), which also means 'contribution' but lacks the emphasis on recognition. For example, saying '他的贡献是很大的' instead of '他的功劳是很大的' can misrepresent the intent of acknowledgment.

Write 功劳

功
劳

Practice writing 功劳 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 功劳

功劳 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

如果我们把所有____都揽到自己身上,那就不对了。

It would be wrong for us to take all the credit.

Example sentences for 功劳 (3)

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1
如果我们把所有功劳都揽到自己身上,那就不对了。

rúguǒ wǒmen bǎ suǒyǒu gōngláo dōu lǎn dào zìjǐ shēnshang, nà jiù bùduì le。

It would be wrong for us to take all the credit.
2
他们把一切功劳归于自己,把一切错误推给别人.

tāmen bǎ yíqiè gōngláo guīyú zìjǐ, bǎ yíqiè cuòwù tuī gěi biérén.

They claim all the credit for themselves and shift all the blame on others.
3
谦虚的人决不夸自己的功劳.

qiānxū de rén juébù kuā zìjǐ de gōngláo.

A modest man will never boast of his merits.

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Frequently asked questions about 功劳

You can say '他的功劳得到了大家的认可' which means 'His contributions were recognized by everyone.'

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