# 任劳任怨

rèn láo rèn yuàn

Work hard without complaining

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Accept toil and grievances

**Traditional Chinese:** 任勞任怨

**Register:** Positive · general

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

## When to use it

Praise dependable service despite difficulty or criticism.

Should not normalize unfair workloads or mistreatment.

## Understanding the expression

The expression combines willingness to do difficult work with patience about complaints or lack of appreciation. It often praises caregivers, colleagues, and community volunteers whose contributions remain steady despite strain. The endurance is admirable, but the situation may still be unfair. Praise should not replace support, pay, or relief from excessive demands. A useful sentence identifies the work and acknowledges its value rather than assuming the person will continue absorbing every burden indefinitely.

## Examples

她任劳任怨地照顾病中的父亲。

### Traditional Chinese

她任勞任怨地照顧病中的父親。

tā rèn láo rèn yuàn dì zhào gù bìng zhōng de fù qīn 。

She cared devotedly for her ill father without complaint.

他多年任劳任怨地维护社区花园。

### Traditional Chinese

他多年任勞任怨地維護社區花園。

tā duō nián rèn láo rèn yuàn dì wéi hù shè qū huā yuán 。

He maintained the community garden faithfully for years.

不能因为员工任劳任怨就不断加活。

### Traditional Chinese

不能因為員工任勞任怨就不斷加活。

bù néng yīn wèi yuán gōng rèn láo rèn yuàn jiù bú duàn jiā huó 。

Do not keep adding work because staff never complain.

大家感谢她任劳任怨的付出。

### Traditional Chinese

大家感謝她任勞任怨的付出。

dà jiā gǎn xiè tā rèn láo rèn yuàn de fù chū 。

Everyone thanked her for her uncomplaining hard work.

## 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=%E4%BB%BB%E5%8B%9E%E4%BB%BB%E6%80%A8)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=545&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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