Introduction
In the rich tapestry of the Chinese language, idioms play a pivotal role in conveying deep cultural meanings and sentiments. One such idiom is 徒勞無功 (tú láo wú gōng). This phrase encapsulates the concept of effort without reward or result, translating to “futile” or “in vain” in English. This article delves into its meaning, grammatical structure, and provides examples to illustrate its usage in everyday contexts.
Meaning of 徒勞無功
The phrase 徒勞無功 (tú láo wú gōng) breaks down into two key components:
徒勞 (tú láo)
徒勞 translates to “futile” or “in vain,” suggesting that the efforts made are unproductive or yield no significant results.
無功 (wú gōng)
無功 means “without merit” or “no achievement,” indicating that despite the attempts made, there is no notable outcome.
Combined, 徒勞無功 implies making efforts that are ultimately fruitless. This idiom is often used to describe situations where hard work does not result in the desired success or when one encounters resistance despite significant effort.
Grammatical Structure of 徒勞無功
Artistically framed, 徒勞無功 follows a straightforward grammatical structure typical of Chinese idioms:
- 徒勞 (tú láo) – Adjective: Describing the nature of the efforts as futile.
- 無功 (wú gōng) – Noun: Denoting the absence of any achievements resulting from those efforts.
The idiom functions as a descriptive phrase, adding depth to conversations about efforts and aspirations. It is generally used as an adjective phrase within sentences to express a feeling of disappointment or recognition of wasted effort.
Example Sentences Using 徒勞無功
To further illustrate its application, here are some example sentences:
1. Efforts in Business
在商業中,有時候我們的努力徒勞無功。
(Zài shāngyè zhōng, yǒu shíhòu wǒmen de nǔlì túláo wúgōng.)
Translation: Sometimes our efforts in business are in vain.
2. Studying Hard
如果不懂得技巧,即使再努力也可能徒勞無功。
(Rúguǒ bù dǒng dé jìqiǎo, jíshǐ zài nǔlì yě kěnéng túláo wúgōng.)
Translation: If you don’t understand the techniques, no matter how hard you study, it may still be futile.
3. Personal Relationships
她試著修復這段關係,但所有的努力都是徒勞無功。
(Tā shìzhe xiūfù zhè duàn guānxì, dàn suǒyǒu de nǔlì dōu shì túláo wúgōng.)
Translation: She tried to mend this relationship, but all her efforts were in vain.
4. Environmental Issues
如果我們不採取行動,對付氣候變化的努力將是徒勞無功。
(Rúguǒ wǒmen bù cǎiqǔ xíngdòng, duìfù qìhòu biànhuà de nǔlì jiāng shì túláo wúgōng.)
Translation: If we do not take action, our efforts to combat climate change will be futile.
Conclusion
The idiom 徒勞無功 (tú láo wú gōng) serves as a poignant reminder about the nature of effort and reward. By understanding its meaning and structure, learners of Chinese can enrich their vocabulary and express complex ideas succinctly. As with many idioms, it reflects not only linguistic attributes but also cultural insights essential for effective communication.

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