蓝领

• Pinyin: lán lǐng
• Hanzi breakdown: 蓝 = 艹 (grass) + 监, blue (from indigo plant); 领 = 令 + 页, collar

Meaning

Blue-collar worker; a person who performs manual labor, typically in manufacturing or construction.

Borrowed from English 'blue-collar,' referring to workers in manufacturing, construction, maintenance, and other manual jobs. Often contrasted with 白领 (white-collar). Common phrases: 蓝领工人 (blue-collar workers), 蓝领阶层 (blue-collar class). In modern China, skilled blue-collar workers are increasingly valued and well-paid.

Examples

1. 现在很多蓝领技术工人的收入比普通白领还要高。 Nowadays many blue-collar skilled workers earn more than ordinary white-collar employees.
2. 工厂招不到年轻的蓝领工人，因为大家都想坐办公室。 Factories can't recruit young blue-collar workers because everyone wants to work in an office.
3. 他虽然是蓝领出身，但通过努力当上了车间主任。 Although he came from a blue-collar background, through hard work he became a workshop supervisor.

Usage Guide

Context: employment, social class, economics

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 蓝领工人的技能很重要。(Blue-collar workers' skills are very important.)
• 他是一名资深的蓝领技工。(He's a senior blue-collar technician.)

Don't Say

• 用蓝领贬低体力劳动者 (蓝领 is neutral/respectful — avoid using it condescendingly)

Origin & History

Loanword translation from English 'blue-collar,' referring to the blue uniforms traditionally worn by manual workers.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Working class