Definition
用功 (yòng gōng) specifically means 'to study hard' or 'diligent in one's studies' — it is used almost exclusively for academic effort. 努力 (nǔ lì) is broader, applying to any kind of effort (work, sports, life), and is more common in everyday speech. 勤奋 (qín fèn) is a more formal, written adjective for a general diligent character, not limited to studying.
verb
to study hardto make great effort (in one's studies)
adjective
diligenthardworking (in studies)
Examples
- 用功，。Tā xuéxí hěn yòng gōng, suǒyǐ chéngjì hěn hǎo.He studies very hard, so his grades are good.
- ，。Wèile kǎoshì, tā yòng gōng le sān gè yuè.He studied hard for three months for the exam.
- 。Tā yòng le hěn duō gōng cái kǎo shàng dàxué.He put in a lot of effort before finally getting into university.
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