After a Hard Days Work
Ending the day with xīn kǔ le 辛苦了
Ending the day with xīn kǔ le 辛苦了.
When working after a long day on set, many of my colleagues would say ‘xīn kǔ le’ to me either getting in the transport van, on an elevator, or just as a way to say time for a rest.
At first I was confused. In Chinese class I learned the word xīn kǔ to mean hard, exhausting, painstaking, with much toil, and also thanks for your trouble. These words all have negative connotations of hardship and when studied in the classroom it’s a difficult word to grasp.
So I assumed they were saying to me ‘you must be exhausted’ or ‘what a painstaking day’.
I would respond with something like ‘oh, today was not so difficult, yesterday was harder’ trying to start a conversation, which was met with smiles and silence.
It was awkward.
Finally someone explained that the phrase literally means ‘worked hard’ and is a way to acknowledge the work somebody has put in doing something, which may or may not be for the benefit of the person who is using this expression.
It is a way to show appreciation for your work.
It can also be used to thank someone who has done something to serve you, do a favor or task for you, or if someone has taken the time to help you. For example, 老师，辛苦了 (Thanks for your time and effort, teacher).
In English there is no direct equivalent for the phrase. ‘You have worked hard’ is similar, but it’s not exactly the same. Xīn kǔ le shows appreciation for the effort for your work but not necessarily comments on the result of the work. It almost has a feeling of gratitude for the other. In English something like ‘good job’ implies or comments on a ‘good’ result.
I’m wondering if this different way of thinking shows the way Chinese think of process versus result. It’s a subtle difference but a significant one.
Could it that Chinese regard the painstaking effort itself as virtuous while western cultures more likely to focus on the good results?
Virtue 德 dé is a key concept in Chinese philosophy, usually translated as ‘inherent character; inner power; integrity’. The earliest written forms of de 德 are oracle script from the Shang Dynasty (ca. 1600–1046 BCE) and is one of the four Confucian principles.
The concept of 德 dé has been around for thousands of years and in and of itself carries many meanings. That would be a whole other post, but do read the article (linked below) by Yao Xinzhong, Center for Ethical Studies, School of Philosophy, Renmin University of China Beijing China.
The idea that painstaking effort itself is virtuous and implies strength of character is deep rooted in Chinese culture.
And all that is wrapped up in xīn kǔ le 辛苦了.
Words matter as they form our character and destiny.
Read more on the concept of 德 dé HERE
"Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."
-- Lao-Tze