劳动

• Pinyin: láo dòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 劳 = 艹 (grass) + 冖 + 力 (strength), toiling with strength; 动 = 云 (cloud) + 力 (strength), to move

Meaning

To labor; work; physical or manual work. The act of working, especially physical labor.

Encompasses all forms of productive work, but especially physical labor. Central concept in socialist vocabulary. Used in formal contexts like 劳动节 (Labor Day), 劳动合同 (labor contract). Can be used as both verb (to work/labor) and noun (labor/work).

Examples

1. 农民们辛苦劳动了一整天，终于把麦子收完了。 The farmers worked hard all day and finally finished harvesting the wheat.
2. 劳动节是为了纪念全世界劳动人民的节日。 Labor Day is a holiday to commemorate working people around the world.
3. 适当的体力劳动对身体健康有好处。 Moderate physical labor is good for your health.

Usage Guide

Context: work, society, politics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 劳动最光荣。(Labor is the most glorious.)
• 今天劳动你跑一趟了。(Sorry to trouble you to make a trip today.)

Don't Say

• 我在办公室劳动。(For office work, use 工作 — 劳动 implies physical or manual labor)

Origin & History

劳 (láo, toil/labor) + 动 (dòng, move/action). Work that involves physical movement and effort.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal