本分 (běn fèn) — (noun) one's duty, one's proper role in life; (adjective) dutiful, conscientious; staying within one's proper bounds

Definition

本分 emphasizes staying within one's proper role and not overreaching, rather than effort (努力) or general conscientiousness (认真). Often used as a virtue describing someone who knows their place and does their duty without seeking more.

noun
one's dutyone's proper role in life
adjective
dutifulconscientiousstaying within one's proper bounds

Examples

  • 本分
    Zuò hǎo zì jǐ de běn fèn bǐ shén me dōu zhòng yào.
    Doing your own duty is more important than anything.
  • 本分
    Tā shì gè běn fèn rén, cóng lái bú zhàn bié rén pián yi.
    He is a dutiful person who never takes advantage of others.
  • 本分
    Zuò rén yào běn fèn, bú yào zǒng xiǎng zǒu jié jìng.
    One should stay within one's bounds and not always try to take shortcuts.

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