# 克勤克俭

kè qín kè jiǎn

Be diligent and frugal

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Be hardworking and economical

**Traditional Chinese:** 克勤克儉

**Register:** Positive · literary

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Praise a life combining effort with sensible thrift.

Thrift should not become neglect of basic needs.

## Understanding the expression

The repeated structure balances two qualities: working earnestly and using resources carefully. Neither one alone carries the whole meaning. A person may earn through steady labor while avoiding unnecessary waste in daily life. The expression often praises family habits or long-term management. It need not imply extreme deprivation or a refusal to enjoy anything. Its favorable sense depends on maintaining a responsible balance between productive effort and proportionate spending over time.

## Examples

祖父一生克勤克俭。

### Traditional Chinese

祖父一生克勤克儉。

zǔ fù yì shēng kè qín kè jiǎn 。

Grandfather was hardworking and frugal throughout his life.

他们克勤克俭，慢慢攒下创业资金。

### Traditional Chinese

他們克勤克儉，慢慢攢下創業資金。

tā men kè qín kè jiǎn ， màn màn zǎn xià chuàng yè zī jīn 。

They saved business capital through work and thrift.

她克勤克俭，却不吝啬教育支出。

### Traditional Chinese

她克勤克儉，卻不吝嗇教育支出。

tā kè qín kè jiǎn ， què bú lìn sè jiào yù zhī chū 。

She is diligent and frugal but spends on education.

父母教我们克勤克俭，珍惜资源。

### Traditional Chinese

父母教我們克勤克儉，珍惜資源。

fù mǔ jiào wǒ men kè qín kè jiǎn ， zhēn xī zī yuán 。

Our parents taught us to work hard and conserve resources.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%85%8B%E5%8B%A4%E5%85%8B%E5%84%89)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=493&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [苦心孤诣 kǔ xīn gū yì Reach distinctive mastery through painstaking effort ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ku-xin-gu-yi)

- [快马加鞭 kuài mǎ jiā biān Speed up an already energetic effort ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/kuai-ma-jia-bian)

- [滥竽充数 làn yú chōng shù Fill a place without the required ability ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/lan-yu-chong-shu)

- [老当益壮 lǎo dāng yì zhuàng Remain vigorous and ambitious in old age ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/lao-dang-yi-zhuang)

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