過労

• Reading: かろう
• Romaji: karou
• Kanji breakdown: 過 (ka) — excessive, to exceed; 労 (rō) — labour, toil
• Pronunciation: /ka.ɾoː/

Meaning

Overwork; strain; exhaustion from excessive work. A serious social issue in Japan.

A noun describing the state of being overworked to the point of physical and mental exhaustion. Central to Japanese social discourse through the compound 過労死 (karōshi, death from overwork), which gained international recognition. Common phrases include 過労で倒れる (to collapse from overwork) and 過労気味 (somewhat overworked).

Examples

1. 過労で体を壊して入院した同僚がいる。 A coworker was hospitalized after ruining their health from overwork.
2. 過労死を防ぐための法律が強化された。 Laws to prevent death from overwork have been strengthened.
3. 最近は過労気味なので休みを取るつもりだ。 I've been feeling somewhat overworked lately, so I plan to take some time off.

Usage Guide

Context: work, health, social issues, news

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 過 (ka, excessive/to exceed) + 労 (rō, labour/toil). Literally 'excessive labour,' a compound that became socially significant in Japan during the economic growth period of the 1970s–80s.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Working age

Social background: Universal