열심히 vs 부지런히
Korean word comparison
Listen to 열심히
Listen to 부지런히
| 열심히 | 부지런히 |
|---|---|
yeol-SIM-hee adverb | bujireonhi adverb |
| diligently; with effort; hard (as in working or studying hard) | diligently; industriously; actively (emphasizing being hardworking and not lazy) |
How they differ
부지런히 highlights habitual industriousness, regular activity, or avoiding idleness — it suggests steady, frequent work or good habits; 열심히 highlights the degree or intensity of effort rather than the habit or frequency.
When to use each
When to use 열심히: Prefer 열심히 when the main point is the strength or intensity of effort on a task (e.g., working very hard today).
When to use 부지런히: Prefer 부지런히 when you want to stress someone's hardworking habits or that they do tasks regularly and without laziness (e.g., keeping a consistent routine).
Side-by-side examples
- 나는 프로젝트 마감일에 맞추기 위해 열심히 일했다.
(I worked hard to meet the project deadline.) - 나는 매일 아침 부지런히 운동한다.
(I exercise diligently every morning.)
Register & nuance: Neutral and common in everyday speech; slightly more about everyday habit and less formal than 성실하게, but acceptable in most contexts.