下功夫 (xia4 gong1 fu5) means to put in effort or to work hard on something. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is dedicating time and energy to achieve mastery or skill in a task, such as studying or practicing a craft. The phrase emphasizes the importance of diligence in achieving success.
HSK 6, rank #25169, Hard
xiàgōngfu(xia4gong1fu5) T4
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March 24, 2026
下功夫()xiàgōngfu(xia4gong1fu5)
下功夫 (xia4 gong1 fu5) means to put in effort or to work hard on something. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is dedicating time and energy to achieve mastery or skill in a task, such as studying or practicing a craft. The phrase emphasizes the importance of diligence in achieving success.
Frequency#25169DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the value of hard work and perseverance is deeply ingrained, often reflected in sayings and proverbs. 下功夫 embodies this cultural ethos, highlighting the belief that success comes from dedication rather than just talent.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person planting seeds in a garden (下), representing effort, and then nurturing them (功夫) to grow into beautiful flowers. This visual connection emphasizes that putting in effort leads to fruitful results.
About 下功夫
下功夫Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 下功夫
Podcast: 下功夫
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AI Study Notes for 下功夫
Quick Contrast
努力 (nǔlì) vs 下功夫 (xiàgōngfu): Use 下功夫 when emphasizing the act of putting in effort specifically towards mastering a skill, while 努力 is broader and can refer to effort in any context.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person planting seeds in a garden (下), representing effort, and then nurturing them (功夫) to grow into beautiful flowers. This visual connection emphasizes that putting in effort leads to fruitful results.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 下功夫 with similar phrases like 努力 (nuli4, to strive). 下功夫 is more specific to putting effort into achieving a particular goal or skill. It's generally used in both formal and informal settings, so it can fit a variety of contexts.
HSK Study Tips
While 下功夫 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it relates to concepts of effort and diligence found in HSK levels 3 and 4, such as 努力 (nuli4). Students should focus on using it in sentences to express dedication to learning or improving skills.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the value of hard work and perseverance is deeply ingrained, often reflected in sayings and proverbs. 下功夫 embodies this cultural ethos, highlighting the belief that success comes from dedication rather than just talent.
Common Mistakes
Learners may misuse 下功夫 by saying '下功夫' directly with a noun without context, such as '下功夫学习' without mentioning what they are studying. Instead, it should be framed as '我在学习中文下功夫' (I am putting effort into studying Chinese).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 下功夫
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Cultural Notes for 下功夫
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the value of hard work and perseverance is deeply ingrained, often reflected in sayings and proverbs. 下功夫 embodies this cultural ethos, highlighting the belief that success comes from dedication rather than just talent.
Frequently Asked Questions about 下功夫
No, 下功夫 can be used in various contexts, including sports, arts, and any skill where effort is required.
Yes, 下功夫 is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts when discussing effort.
下功夫 specifically emphasizes the act of putting in effort towards mastering a skill, whereas 努力 is more general for striving.
