操劳

• Pinyin: cāo láo
• Hanzi breakdown: 操 = 扌(hand) + 喿 (phonetic); 劳 = 火 (fire) + 冖 (cover) + 力 (strength)

Meaning

To work hard with toil and care; to wear oneself out with work and worry.

Carries an emotional weight beyond mere busyness — it implies devoted, often selfless effort that takes a physical or mental toll. Frequently used to praise parents, teachers, or public servants who have sacrificed their health for others.

Examples

1. 父亲为了这个家操劳了一辈子，如今终于可以安享晚年了。 Father worked tirelessly for this family his whole life — now he can finally enjoy a peaceful old age.
2. 她长期为公司事务操劳，积劳成疾，不得不住院接受治疗。 She had long worn herself out over company affairs, her health broke down from overwork, and she had no choice but to be hospitalised for treatment.
3. 年轻的村医不辞辛苦，为山区群众的健康操劳奔走了二十余年。 The young village doctor worked tirelessly for the health of people in the mountain area for more than twenty years without complaint.

Usage Guide

Context: family, work, praise, health, biography

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 感谢您多年来为学校的发展操劳，您的付出大家有目共睹。(Thank you for your years of devoted hard work for the school's development — your contributions are plain for all to see.)
• 母亲为了儿女们操劳了半辈子，这份恩情我们永远铭记在心。(Mother wore herself out for her children for half her life — this kindness is something we will always carry in our hearts.)

Don't Say

• 他为了打游戏操劳了一整天。(操劳 implies selfless, responsible toil — not personal entertainment; use 忙了 or 玩了)

Origin & History

操 (to work at, manage) + 劳 (toil, labour). Together they describe sustained, taxing labour driven by responsibility.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal