to render meritorious service (one the three imperishables 三不朽[san1 bu4 xiu3]); to make worthy contributions; to distinguish oneself
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, rank #31237, Very Hard
lìgōng(li4gong1) T4
1to render meritorious service (one the three imperishables 三不朽[san1 bu4 xiu3])
2to make worthy contributions
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March 24, 2026
立功lìgōng(li4gong1)
立功 (lì gōng) means 'to achieve merit' or 'to make a contribution' in a significant way. It is often used in contexts where someone has accomplished something noteworthy, especially in a military or professional setting, indicating a formal recognition of someone's achievements.
Strokes10Frequency#31237DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, achieving merit (立功) can lead to social recognition and respect, especially in the context of family and community. This value is deeply rooted in Confucian ideals of honor and duty.
Memory Tip
Think of 立 (lì) as 'standing upright' and 功 (gōng) as 'merit' or 'achievement'. Imagine a soldier standing tall after winning a battle, signifying both his courage and the honor he has earned.
Meanings of 立功
lìgōng(li4gong1)
1to render meritorious service (one the three imperishables 三不朽[san1 bu4 xiu3])
2to make worthy contributions
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About 立功
立功Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 立功
Podcast: 立功
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AI Study Notes for 立功
Quick Contrast
功劳 (gōng láo) vs 立功 (lì gōng): use 功劳 when emphasizing the merit or contribution itself, rather than the act of achieving it.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 立 (lì) as 'standing upright' and 功 (gōng) as 'merit' or 'achievement'. Imagine a soldier standing tall after winning a battle, signifying both his courage and the honor he has earned.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 立功 with similar terms like 取得成绩 (qǔdé chéngjì), which means 'to achieve results'. It's important to use 立功 in formal contexts, often when referring to achievements that are recognized by others, such as in the military or workplace.
HSK Study Tips
While 立功 is not explicitly listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 4 and above due to its usage in more complex discussions about achievements and contributions. Students should focus on context and usage in formal settings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, achieving merit (立功) can lead to social recognition and respect, especially in the context of family and community. This value is deeply rooted in Confucian ideals of honor and duty.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 立功 in casual conversations, where it feels overly formal. For example, saying '我今天立功了' (I achieved merit today) sounds odd; it's better to say '我今天做得很好' (I did well today).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 立功
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Cultural Notes for 立功
💡Did you know?
在中国文化中，‘立功’不仅指个人的成就，还强调对国家和社会的贡献，体现了一种集体主义的价值观。
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, achieving merit (立功) can lead to social recognition and respect, especially in the context of family and community. This value is deeply rooted in Confucian ideals of honor and duty.
📜Proverb
‘立功立德’是一个常用的成语，意思是既要有功劳，也要有德行，强调全面发展。
Frequently Asked Questions about 立功
立功 is commonly used in military, academic, and workplace contexts to denote someone who has achieved significant results. It can also refer to personal achievements that contribute positively to a group or community.
While both 立功 (lì gōng) and 贡献 (gòng xiàn) refer to contributions, 立功 emphasizes the recognition of merit or achievement, often in a formal context. In contrast, 贡献 is a more general term for contribution, without the aspect of recognition.
立功 (lì gōng) means 'to make a contribution' or 'to achieve merit.' It is often used in contexts where someone is recognized for their accomplishments or contributions to a project or society.
You can use 立功 in a sentence like: '他在这次救援中立了功' (Tā zài zhè cì jiùyuán zhōng lì le gōng), which means 'He made a contribution in this rescue operation.' It emphasizes the achievement or success in a specific context.
It means 'to achieve merit' or 'to make a significant contribution'.
You can use it in formal contexts, often related to military or professional achievements.
It is less common in everyday conversation and more prevalent in formal discussions or reports.
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