📖 Meaning
To bear hardships and complaints without complaint. It describes someone who willingly endures both hard work and unfair criticism, never grumbling or seeking recognition. The idiom praises a selfless, dutiful attitude in serving others or a cause.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to the Han dynasty text 'Yan Tie Lun' (Discourse on Salt and Iron) by Huan Kuan, where it is said that those who feed on the labor of ten thousand people must bear their worries and endure their resentment and toil. A related line appears in the 'Book of Han' biography of Shi Xian, acknowledging that one cannot please everyone and must bear the resentment of the whole world. Over time the expression was condensed into the four-character form emphasizing willingness to shoulder both labor and blame.
💡 Example Usage
她在家里任劳任怨地照顾老人和孩子，从不喊累。
She tirelessly cared for the elderly and children at home without ever complaining of exhaustion.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 任劳任怨
- Pinyin: rèn láo rèn yuàn
- Literal Translation: bear, toil, bear, resentment
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4