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

勤勉(きんべん)な学生(がくせい): diligent student
勤勉(きんべん)な国民(こくみん): hardworking people/nation
勤勉(きんべん)に働(はたら)く: to work diligently

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)

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 2026.10.7 10:14

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