勤勉(きんべん)

きんべん
na-adjective, noun
diligent, hardworking
descriptive
1. diligent, industrious, hardworking
Showing careful and persistent effort in one's work or duties.
彼(かれ)は勤勉(きんべん)な学生(がくせい)だ。
He is a diligent student.
勤勉(きんべん)に働(はたら)くことが大切(たいせつ)だ。
It's important to work diligently.
日本人(にほんじん)は勤勉(きんべん)だと言(い)われている。
Japanese people are said to be hardworking.

勤勉(きんべん) describes consistent, dedicated effort in work or study. It is a na-adjective that carries a more formal, literary tone than everyday words like 真面目(まじめ).

Forms

  • 勤勉(きんべん)な + noun: diligent ~ (modifier)
  • 勤勉(きんべん)に + verb: diligently ~ (adverbial)
  • 勤勉(きんべん)さ: diligence (noun form)

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 真面目(まじめ): serious, earnest (broader — covers attitude, not just effort)
  • 熱心(ねっしん): enthusiastic, zealous (emphasizes passion)
  • 勤勉(きんべん): diligent (emphasizes steady, consistent hard work)

Register

Somewhat formal and literary. More commonly used in written language, speeches, and descriptions of national character than in everyday conversation.

Related Words

Antonym: 怠惰(たいだ) (lazy; idle; slothful)
Synonym: 真面目(まじめ) (serious, earnest)
Compare: 熱心(ねっしん) (enthusiastic, zealous)
Compare: 努力家(どりょくか) (hard worker)
Compare: 真面目(まじめ)な (serious)
general
Added 2026.2.5 20:49 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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