one's duty; content with one's lot
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesnoun
one's duty; responsibility; obligation
formalRefers to the responsibilities inherent to one's role or status. Often used with verbs like 守 (shǒu), 尽 (jìn).
Zuò作
wéi为
jiào教
shī师
，
jiāo教
shū书
yù育
rén人
jiù就
shì是
wǒ我
de的
běn本
fèn分
。
As a teacher, educating students is my duty.
Měi每
gè个
rén人
dōu都
yīng应
gāi该
shǒu守
hǎo好
zì自
jǐ己
de的
běn本
fèn分
。
Everyone should fulfill their own responsibilities.
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Zhè这
shì是
tā他
běn本
fèn分
de的
gōng工
zuò作
，
méi没
shén什
me么
hǎo好
bào抱
yuàn怨
de的
。
This is his duty as part of his job; there's nothing to complain about.
adjective
content with one's lot; knowing one's place; unambitious
neutralDescribes a person who is satisfied with their current situation and does not overreach. Can have a neutral or slightly derogatory connotation depending on context.
Tā他
shì是
gè个
běn本
fèn分
rén人
，
cóng从
lái来
bù不
zhēng争
bù不
qiǎng抢
。
He is a content person who never fights or grabs for things.
Tā她
yī一
bèi辈
zi子
běn本
běn本
fèn分
fèn分
de地
guò过
rì日
zi子
。
She lived her whole life contentedly and without fuss.
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Zhè这
gè个
rén人
hěn很
běn本
fèn分
，
bù不
huì会
rě惹
má麻
fan烦
。
This person is very steady and won't cause trouble.
Gōng公
sī司
xū需
yào要
yī一
xiē些
běn本
fèn分
kě可
kào靠
de的
yuán员
gōng工
。
The company needs some steady and reliable employees.