兢兢业业
jīng jīng yè yè · HSK 7
cautious and conscientious
🐜 兢兢 = careful-careful, 业业 = work-work (业 = job); doubled words = doing your job carefully and hard
A reduplicated chengyu: 兢 means wary/cautious and 业 means work or profession. Doubling each (兢兢业业) stacks the sense into someone who stays painstaking and hardworking on the job, like a tireless ant.
业 — top 业 (originally a notched board)
Originally a pictograph of a notched wooden board hung in ancient classrooms or temples to support bells and chimes. The notches inspired meanings of 'work' and 'profession,' as such boards were tools of trade and study. Today it means business, occupation, or undertaking.
业 — top 业 (originally a notched board)
Originally a pictograph of a notched wooden board hung in ancient classrooms or temples to support bells and chimes. The notches inspired meanings of 'work' and 'profession,' as such boards were tools of trade and study. Today it means business, occupation, or undertaking.