功 (gōng) - achievement & merit

功Tone 1

gōng ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 力

枫惠

功 · gōng

achievement;

merit;

accomplishment;

skill;

work;

effort;

function;

efficacy

achievementmeritaccomplishment

Usage highlights

achievementmeriteffectivenesshardworkingsuccesscontribution

Synonyms

  • 绩— achievement, accomplishment
  • 劳— labor, merit
  • 效— effect, efficacy

Antonyms

  • 过— fault, mistake
  • 罪— crime, guilt
  • 败— failure, defeat

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He made great contributions (功劳) to the project.
  • This medicine is very effective (功效).
  • She succeeded through hard work (用功).
  • We should praise his achievements (功绩).

Collocations

  • achievement(功劳)
  • merit(功绩)
  • effectiveness(功效)
  • hardworking(用功)
  • success(成功)
  • contribution(功勋)

Idioms

  • Achievements and virtues(功德无量)
  • Success or failure hinges on this one action(功败垂成)
  • Merits and demerits offset each other(将功补过)
  • Achieve success and gain fame(功成名就)
  • Waste all previous efforts(前功尽弃)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian culture, achievement and merit are highly valued for social recognition.
  • The character combines 'work' (工) and 'strength' (力), emphasizing effort leading to accomplishment.
  • Used in martial arts context as 'kung fu' (功夫), meaning skill achieved through practice.

FAQ