劳动
Traditional: 勞動
láo dòng HSK 5

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

劳动节我们放假。
Láodòng jié wǒmen fàngjià.
We have a holiday on Labor Day.
他喜欢在花园里劳动。
Tā xǐhuān zài huāyuán lǐ láodòng.
He likes to work in the garden.
劳动能让人身体健康。
Láodòng néng ràng rén shēntǐ jiànkāng.
Labor can make people physically healthy.
劳动创造价值。
Láodòng chuàngzào jiàzhí.
Labor creates value.
他热爱劳动。
Tā rè'ài láodòng.
He loves labor.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of the character 劳 (láo), which contains 力 (lì, strength/force), reminding you of expending effort. Combine it with 动 (dòng, to move), so 劳动 is essentially 'moving with effort' or 'toiling'.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is standard in both spoken and written Chinese, leaning slightly formal. It is commonly used in contexts like work assignments (劳动任务), labour rights (劳动法), physical labour (体力劳动), and social discussions about the value of work. It's less casual than 干活儿.

📖 Grammar Points

Primarily used as a noun. Can be modified by adjectives (e.g., 辛勤的劳动). Also used in verb-object structures like 参加劳动 (to participate in labour) or 热爱劳动 (to love labour/work).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In modern Chinese context, 劳动 is highly valued and associated with virtues like diligence and contribution to society. International Workers' Day is called 劳动节. The term 劳动模范 (model worker) is a prestigious honorary title.

🔄 Similar Words

工作 (gōngzuò) is a broader, more general term for 'job' or 'work'. 劳动 focuses more on the physical/mental effort and activity itself, often with a societal or productive connotation, while 工作 can refer to the occupation or task more neutrally.

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