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March 24, 2026
劳(勞)láo(lao2)
The character 劳 (láo) refers to labor, toil, or hard work. It is commonly used in contexts involving physical or manual labor, as well as in phrases related to working diligently or putting someone to trouble. The character also carries the nuance of effort and the value of hard work in Chinese culture.
Strokes7Radical力Frequency#6101DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 劳 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, where hard work is often associated with virtue and merit. In historical contexts, labor was viewed as honorable, contributing to the collectivist ethos prevalent in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a worker (劳) toiling under the sun, with the character resembling a person bent over, engaged in labor. The '工' component signifies work, while the '劳' suggests effort, connecting both the visual and phonetic aspects to its meaning.
Meanings of 劳
láo(lao2)
primary
1toil
2to console
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 劳
劳Simplified
勞Traditional
7Strokes
力Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#6101Frequency Rank
Podcast: 劳
Podcast: 劳
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AI Study Notes for 劳
Quick Contrast
辛苦 (xīnkǔ) vs 劳 (láo): Use 辛苦 when emphasizing the hardship or difficulty of the work, while 劳 focuses more on the act of labor itself.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a worker (劳) toiling under the sun, with the character resembling a person bent over, engaged in labor. The '工' component signifies work, while the '劳' suggests effort, connecting both the visual and phonetic aspects to its meaning.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone, as using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. 劳 is often used in formal contexts, so it’s essential to pair it with the correct verbs or nouns, such as 劳动 (labor) or 劳工 (laborer). A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
HSK Study Tips
While 劳 is not in the official HSK levels, it connects well with HSK 3 vocabulary related to work and effort, such as 工作 (gōngzuò - work) and 努力 (nǔlì - to strive). Students should focus on understanding its usage in compound words to enhance their vocabulary.
Cultural Note
The concept of 劳 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, where hard work is often associated with virtue and merit. In historical contexts, labor was viewed as honorable, contributing to the collectivist ethos prevalent in Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 劳 by incorrectly pairing it with verbs that do not convey effort, such as saying 劳看 (to labor see) instead of 劳作 (to labor). Always ensure that it is used with contextually appropriate verbs.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 劳
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Grammar Patterns of 劳
劳 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
“我要走，离开他。”____拉·斯特宾停了下来，眼里闪烁着光芒。
"I shall go, leave him." Laura Stebbing stopped, her eyes glistening.
A million young people enter the labour market each year.
Cultural Notes for 劳
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 劳 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, where hard work is often associated with virtue and merit. In historical contexts, labor was viewed as honorable, contributing to the collectivist ethos prevalent in Chinese society.
Word Family of 劳
Compounds7
捞lao1to fish up
唠lao2to chatter
痨lao2tuberculosis
涝lao4to inundate, to flood; torrent
崂lao2Laoshan, a mountain in Shandong
铹lao2lawrencium
耢lao4a kind of farm tool
Words Containing This Character20
劳动láodòngwork勞動
效劳to work for效勞
劳láoto toil勞
劳动力láodònglìlabor force勞動力
疲劳píláofatigue疲勞
功劳gōngláocontribution功勞
劳驾láojiàexcuse me勞駕
麦当劳MacDonald or McDonald (name)麥當勞
劳动者worker勞動者
劳伦斯Lawrence (person name)勞倫斯
劳力labor勞力
劳工labor勞工
劳务láowùservice (work done for money)勞務
克劳斯Claus or Klaus (name)克勞斯
劳累láolèitired勞累
徒劳futile徒勞
酬劳reward酬勞
勤劳qínláohardworking勤勞
劳资labor and capital勞資
劳作work勞作
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 捞 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 劳
劳 (láo) emphasizes the effort or toil involved in labor, whereas 工作 (gōngzuò) generally refers to work or a job in a broader sense. 劳 often carries a connotation of physical labor, while 工作 can include mental tasks as well.
Yes, 劳 can be found in idiomatic expressions such as '劳心劳力' (to exert both mental and physical effort), highlighting the extensive involvement in tasks or responsibilities. It's also used in various phrases to convey the notion of hard work.
劳 (láo) means to toil or labor and can refer to a laborer as well. It is also used in contexts where someone is put to trouble or when referring to a meritorious deed. Additionally, it can imply an act of consolation.
You can use 劳 in sentences like '我劳作了一整天' (I toiled all day) or '他是一个勤劳的农民' (He is a hardworking farmer). It can also be used to express concern, such as '不要劳烦你' (Don't trouble yourself).
Common phrases include 劳动 (labor) and 劳动者 (laborer), which emphasize the act of working and the people who do it.
While 劳 can be used in both contexts, it is more frequently found in formal language, especially in written texts.
Yes, expressions like 劳心 (to worry) and 劳力 (to exert effort) highlight its versatile use in describing both mental and physical labor.
