功

gōng

力 + 工

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

gōng (noun) achievement; accomplishment; merit

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 力 represents the meaning and 工 represents the sound.

About

功 is a phono-semantic compound that combines 力 (strength, effort) as the meaning component and 工 (gōng) as the phonetic. The 力 radical highlights the exertion required to accomplish a task, while 工 supplies the sound. Originally denoting a job brought to a successful conclusion, the character's meaning later broadened to include merit, achievement, and favorable outcomes.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他学习很用功。

Tā xuéxí hěn yònggōng.

He studies very diligently.

这次实验成功了。

Zhè cì shíyàn chénggōng le.

This experiment succeeded.

这个手机功能很多。

Zhège shǒujī gōngnéng hěn duō.

This mobile phone has many functions.

大家承认他的功劳。

Dàjiā chéngrèn tā de gōngláo.

Everyone acknowledges his merit.

他花了很大功夫学习中文。

Tā huāle hěn dà gōngfu xuéxí Zhōngwén.

He spent a lot of effort learning Chinese.

这位英雄的功绩被后人铭记。

Zhè wèi yīngxióng de gōngjì bèi hòurén míngjì.

This hero's achievements are remembered by later generations.

他的基本功非常扎实。

Tā de jīběngōng fēicháng zhāshi.

His basic skills are very solid.

鉴于他的卓越功勋，政府授予他最高荣誉。

Jiànyú tā de zhuóyuè gōngxūn, zhèngfǔ shòuyǔ tā zuì gāo róngyù.

In view of his outstanding meritorious service, the government awarded him the highest honor.

Related Characters

Component: 力

Component: 工

Example Words