任劳任怨 — “Bear toil and endure complaints”
任劳任怨 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to bear the burden of arduous tasks and endure criticism or complaints without resentment; to work hard and willingly, without grumbling”. Literally, “bear toil and endure complaints”.
任劳任怨 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 任rèn
- 劳láo
- 任rèn
- 怨yuàn
任劳任怨 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 任劳任怨
Origin and Story of 任劳任怨
During the Spring and Autumn period, Zhao Dun, the Prime Minister of the Jin state, contemplated leaving the country. Upon learning this, Zhao Chuan, a relative, led 200 guards to assassinate Duke Ling of Jin.
The Grand Scribe, despite Zhao Dun's protest, recorded in the court annals, "In the autumn, first month, Zhao Dun murdered Duke Yi'gao in Taoyuan." Zhao Dun tried to persuade the Scribe to alter the record, but the Scribe steadfastly refused.
Reflecting on the situation, Zhao Dun thought that a person of influence should be willing to bear arduous tasks and endure criticism without resentment ( 任劳任怨). He then consoled himself, believing that ultimately, having a clear conscience was what mattered most.
Idioms Related to 任劳任怨
Synonyms of 任劳任怨
Antonyms of 任劳任怨
More idioms starting with 任
- rèn任rén人wéi唯qīn亲appoint people by favoritism
- rèn任rén人wéi唯xián贤appoint officials based on merit
- rèn任rén人zǎi宰gē割to be at the mercy of others
- rèn任rén人bǎi摆bù布be manipulated by others
- rèn任rén人bǎi摆nòng弄allow oneself to be manipulated by others
- rèn任cóng从fēng风làng浪qǐ起，，wěn稳zuò坐diào钓yú鱼chuán船remain calm despite all challenges
- rèn任qí其zì自liú流let things take their own course
- rèn任qí其zì自rán然let things take their natural course
- rèn任píng凭fēng风làng浪qǐ起，，wěn稳zuò坐diào钓yú鱼tái台remain calm despite all difficulties
- rèn任píng凭fēng风làng浪qǐ起，，wěn稳zuò坐diào钓yú鱼chuán船remain calm in any storm
- rèn任suǒ所yù欲wèi为do as one pleases
Questions about 任劳任怨
- What does 任劳任怨 mean?
- 任劳任怨 (rèn láo rèn yuàn) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to bear the burden of arduous tasks and endure criticism or complaints without resentment; to work hard and willingly, without grumbling”.
- How do you pronounce 任劳任怨?
- 任劳任怨 is pronounced rèn láo rèn yuàn in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 任劳任怨 literally mean?
- Literally, 任劳任怨 means “bear toil and endure complaints”. It is used to mean “to bear the burden of arduous tasks and endure criticism or complaints without resentment; to work hard and willingly, without grumbling”.
- Where does 任劳任怨 come from?
- 任劳任怨 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to the modern era. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 任劳任怨?
- 任：担当，经受。不怕吃苦，也不怕招怨。