敬业
jìng yè · HSK 7
to be dedicated to one's work
🙇💼 敬 respect + 业 work = to honor your job and give it your all
敬 carries the sense of reverence or respect; 业 means work, trade, or profession. Stacked together they describe someone who treats their work with seriousness and devotion. 业 also shows up in 职业 (occupation) and 作业 (homework).
敬 — 苟 (gǒu, phonetic) + 攵 (tap/strike)
Originally depicted a person being urged or disciplined with a stick (攵), with 苟 providing the sound. The early sense was 'to warn' or 'to be on guard,' which extended to careful, attentive behavior. From there it shifted to 'respect' and 'reverence,' the modern meaning.
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.