C2 noun #7,000 am häufigsten 3 Min. Lesezeit

laborer

Erklärung von laborer auf deinem Niveau:

A laborer is a person who works with their hands. They move things, build things, or help with big projects. They get money for their work. You might see a laborer at a building site. They are very strong and work hard every day.

A laborer is a worker who does physical tasks. For example, a construction laborer helps build houses. They don't usually need a special degree, but they need to be strong. Many people are laborers in factories or on farms. It is a very important job in our society.

A laborer is someone employed to perform manual work. Unlike office workers, laborers spend their day moving materials, operating machinery, or helping with construction. The term is often used to describe the 'blue-collar' workforce. It is a neutral term, but it specifically highlights the physical nature of the employment.

In economic and social contexts, a laborer is defined by their manual contribution to production. You will often hear this term in discussions about the 'labor market' or 'manual labor.' It carries a sense of dignity, acknowledging that physical work is the foundation of many industries, including infrastructure and manufacturing.

The term laborer serves as a significant marker in sociological discourse, often distinguishing between manual, wage-based labor and professional, salaried roles. It evokes a historical perspective on the industrial revolution, where the laborer became the central figure of production. In modern usage, it remains a precise term for those whose primary capital is their physical capacity to work, regardless of the specific industry.

Etymologically rooted in the Latin labor, the word laborer encapsulates the historical evolution of work itself. Throughout literature and political theory, the laborer is often portrayed as the 'toiler,' the essential agent of material creation. While the term can sometimes be used to imply a lack of specialized training, it simultaneously commands respect for the raw, physical exertion required to sustain civilization. Its usage in contemporary English is both functional and evocative, bridging the gap between simple job description and the broader concept of human industry.

laborer in 30 Sekunden

  • A laborer is a person doing manual work.
  • They are essential for construction and farming.
  • The word comes from the Latin 'labor'.
  • It is a countable, neutral noun.

Hey there! Let's talk about the word laborer. At its heart, a laborer is someone who earns a living by doing physical work. You will often hear this term when people discuss industries like construction, farming, or factory work.

Think of it as someone whose primary tool is their own effort and strength. While many jobs require specialized degrees or certificates, a laborer is defined by their manual contribution to a project. It is a very practical, grounded term that highlights the hard work behind our daily infrastructure.

The word laborer has a long journey through history! It comes from the Latin word labor, which simply means 'work' or 'toil.' It made its way into English through the Old French word laboureur.

Historically, the term was used to distinguish those who worked with their hands from those who held administrative or 'white-collar' roles. Over the centuries, it has remained a steady word in our language, consistently describing the backbone of the workforce. It is fascinating how a word from ancient Rome still perfectly describes someone building a skyscraper today!

Using laborer correctly is all about context. It is a neutral, descriptive term, though it carries a slightly formal register compared to just saying 'worker.' You will see it most often in news reports, economic studies, or formal job descriptions.

Commonly, you will see it paired with adjectives like 'manual,' 'unskilled,' or 'migrant.' It is important to note that while it describes a specific type of work, it is always used with respect for the effort involved. In casual conversation, people might just say 'worker' or 'guy on the site,' but in professional writing, 'laborer' is the standard choice.

While 'laborer' itself is a noun, it is tied to many idioms about hard work. One classic is 'a laborer is worthy of his hire,' which means someone deserves to be paid for their work. Another is 'sweat of one's brow,' describing the hard effort a laborer puts in.

We also have expressions like 'back-breaking work' to describe the physical toll of labor, or 'the daily grind,' which refers to the routine nature of manual jobs. Finally, 'honest work' is often used to describe the dignity found in manual labor, emphasizing that every bit of effort counts.

Grammatically, laborer is a countable noun. You can have one laborer or many laborers. It is usually preceded by an article, like 'a laborer' or 'the laborer.'

Pronunciation-wise, it is LAY-bur-er. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like 'neighborer' (though that is rare!) or sounds similar to the ending of 'doctor' or 'actor.' Remember that the 'o' in the middle is often dropped in quick speech, making it sound like LAY-brer.

Wusstest du?

The word has been in English since the 14th century!

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˈleɪbərə/

The 'r' at the end is often silent or very soft.

US /ˈleɪbərər/

Rhotic 'r' sounds are pronounced clearly.

Häufige Fehler

  • Mispronouncing the middle 'o'.
  • Adding an extra syllable.
  • Stressing the wrong syllable.

Reimt sich auf

neighbor savor flavor waver favor

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to read

Schreiben 2/5

Easy to use

Sprechen 2/5

Easy to say

Hören 2/5

Easy to hear

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

work job build

Als Nächstes lernen

manual industry wages

Fortgeschritten

socioeconomic infrastructure proletariat

Wichtige Grammatik

Countable Nouns

One laborer, two laborers.

Articles

A laborer, the laborer.

Subject-Verb Agreement

The laborer works.

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

The laborer works hard.

The worker works hard.

Subject + verb.

2

He is a laborer.

He is a worker.

Article 'a'.

3

The laborer is tired.

The worker is tired.

Adjective usage.

4

I see the laborer.

I see the worker.

Direct object.

5

The laborer has a tool.

The worker has a tool.

Possessive verb.

6

Is he a laborer?

Is he a worker?

Question form.

7

The laborer helps us.

The worker helps us.

Subject-verb agreement.

8

That is a laborer.

That is a worker.

Demonstrative pronoun.

1

The construction laborer wore a yellow helmet.

2

Many laborers work on the new road.

3

He started as a general laborer.

4

The farm laborer picked the apples.

5

Laborers are needed for this project.

6

She is a hard-working laborer.

7

The laborer carried the heavy wood.

8

They hired a new laborer today.

1

The site manager directed the laborers to the second floor.

2

Manual laborers often face physical challenges at work.

3

The company is looking for experienced laborers.

4

As a laborer, he gained a lot of practical experience.

5

The laborers finished the wall before sunset.

6

There is a shortage of skilled laborers in the city.

7

The union represents the rights of the laborers.

8

He worked as a casual laborer during the summer.

1

The project requires a team of dedicated laborers.

2

The economic report highlights the decline of manual laborers.

3

Laborers are the backbone of the construction industry.

4

The safety regulations protect all laborers on site.

5

He transitioned from a laborer to a site foreman.

6

The laborers worked through the heat to meet the deadline.

7

Many migrant laborers contribute to the agricultural sector.

8

The contract specifies the wages for the laborers.

1

The sociological study examines the lives of industrial laborers.

2

The infrastructure project relies on a massive influx of laborers.

3

The term 'laborer' is often used to denote a specific socioeconomic class.

4

The laborers' struggle for better conditions is well-documented.

5

He possessed the rugged resilience typical of a lifelong laborer.

6

The architect collaborated closely with the lead laborer.

7

The automation of tasks has changed the role of the traditional laborer.

8

The discourse surrounding laborers often ignores their individual expertise.

1

The laborer, in his stoic silence, represented the forgotten force of the industrial age.

2

The discourse on labor economics often reduces the human laborer to a mere unit of production.

3

There is a profound dignity in the work of the manual laborer that transcends simple wage-earning.

4

The historical narrative of the city was built upon the backs of anonymous laborers.

5

The laborer’s contribution to the edifice was both essential and overlooked.

6

The plight of the migrant laborer remains a central theme in contemporary political debates.

7

The distinction between the artisan and the laborer is often blurred in modern manufacturing.

8

The laborer’s role is fundamental to the realization of any grand architectural vision.

Synonyme

manual worker blue-collar worker hand operative drudge workman

Gegenteile

employer professional white-collar worker

Häufige Kollokationen

manual laborer
hired laborer
skilled laborer
migrant laborer
hire a laborer
laborer's wages
construction laborer
unskilled laborer
farm laborer
the laborers worked

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"worthy of one's hire"

Deserving of pay for work done.

The laborer is worthy of his hire.

formal

"back-breaking work"

Very hard physical labor.

It was back-breaking work in the sun.

casual

"the daily grind"

The routine of daily work.

He was tired of the daily grind.

casual

"sweat of one's brow"

Hard work/effort.

He earned it by the sweat of his brow.

literary

"honest day's work"

A full day of hard work.

He always put in an honest day's work.

neutral

"put one's back into it"

To work very hard.

If you put your back into it, we will finish soon.

casual

Leicht verwechselbar

laborer vs. Labor

Shared root.

Labor is the activity; laborer is the person.

He loves his labor; he is a good laborer.

laborer vs. Worker

Both mean someone employed.

Worker is general; laborer is manual.

A worker can be an accountant; a laborer is a builder.

laborer vs. Technician

Both are job titles.

Technician implies specialized skill.

The technician fixed the computer; the laborer moved the desk.

laborer vs. Employee

Both imply being hired.

Employee is the status; laborer is the role.

He is an employee of the firm; he works as a laborer.

Satzmuster

A1

Subject + works as a + laborer

He works as a laborer.

A2

The + laborer + verb + object

The laborer moved the bricks.

B1

Many + laborers + verb + prep

Many laborers work on the site.

B2

It is important to support + laborers

It is important to support laborers.

C1

As a + laborer, he...

As a laborer, he knows the value of hard work.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

labor The work itself.

Verben

labor To work hard.

Adjektive

laborious Requiring a lot of effort.

Verwandt

workforce The group of all laborers.

So verwendest du es

frequency

7/10

Förmlichkeitsskala

Formal (academic/legal) Neutral (news) Casual (daily conversation) Slang (none)

Tipps

💡

Break it down

Think of 'labor' + 'er' (the person).
💡

Use in professional settings

Use it to describe manual staff.
🌍

Respect the trade

Always acknowledge the physical effort.
💡

Countable noun

Always use 'a' or 'the' before it.
💡

The 'r' sound

Practice the rhotic 'r' if you want a US accent.
💡

Don't confuse with labor

Laborer = person, labor = work.
💡

Historical roots

It has Latin origins.
💡

Use flashcards

Pair it with images of construction.
💡

Context matters

Use it in formal descriptions.
💡

Slow down

Say 'LAY-bur-er' clearly.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Laborer = Labor + er (the person who does the labor).

Visuelle Assoziation

A person in a hard hat holding a shovel.

Word Web

Construction Wages Manual Work Strength

Herausforderung

Describe your favorite building and imagine the laborers who built it.

Wortherkunft

Latin

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Work or toil.

Kultureller Kontext

Can be perceived as low-status if used condescendingly.

Commonly used in labor union contexts.

The song 'Sixteen Tons' about miners. Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men' features migrant laborers.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Construction site

  • The laborers are on site.
  • Hire more laborers.
  • Laborers are needed.

Job interview

  • I have experience as a laborer.
  • I am a reliable laborer.
  • Looking for laborer work.

Economic news

  • Laborer wages are rising.
  • Shortage of laborers.
  • Impact on the laborer class.

Agriculture

  • Seasonal farm laborers.
  • Hiring local laborers.
  • Managing the laborers.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Have you ever worked as a laborer?"

"What do you think is the hardest part about being a laborer?"

"How has technology changed the job of a laborer?"

"Why is manual labor important for our society?"

"Would you prefer an office job or a laborer job?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe the importance of physical work in your daily life.

Write a story about a day in the life of a laborer.

Reflect on how your city was built by laborers.

Discuss the dignity of labor in your own words.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

8 Fragen
Yes, but laborer is more specific to manual work.
Labourer.
Yes, it describes a vital profession.
Yes, it is a gender-neutral term.
It varies by industry and experience.
To labor.
Rarely, unless describing maintenance staff.
Laborers.

Teste dich selbst

fill blank A1

The ___ is building a wall.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: laborer

Laborers build things.

multiple choice A2

What does a laborer do?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Does physical work

Laborer implies manual tasks.

true false B1

A laborer usually works in an office.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Falsch

Laborers usually work on sites or in factories.

match pairs B1

Word

Bedeutung

Alles zugeordnet!

Matching roles.

sentence order B2

Tippe auf die Wörter unten, um den Satz zu bilden
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

Adjective placement.

fill blank B2

The ___ market is struggling.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: labor

Refers to the market of work.

multiple choice C1

Which word is an antonym for laborer?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Manager

Managers oversee laborers.

true false C1

The word laborer is only used in British English.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Falsch

Used in all English dialects.

sentence order C2

Tippe auf die Wörter unten, um den Satz zu bilden
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

Correct noun phrase.

multiple choice C2

What is the etymological root?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Latin

From Latin 'labor'.

Ergebnis: /10

Verwandte Inhalte

Mehr Work Wörter

objective

A2

Objektiv sein bedeutet, neutral zu sein und keine persönlichen Gefühle einfließen zu lassen. Es geht um Fakten, nicht um Emotionen.

patrol

A1

Eine Person oder Gruppe, die durch ein Gebiet geht, um sicherzustellen, dass alles sicher ist. Manchmal auch die Handlung selbst.

schedule

B2

A plan that lists events, tasks, or appointments along with the specific times they are intended to happen. It serves as a structural guide to help individuals or organizations manage their time and resources effectively.

department

B2

A specialized division or branch within a larger organization, such as a government, business, or university, that focuses on a specific area of work or study. It is used to organize complex systems into manageable units based on function or expertise.

subtempary

C1

A subtempary refers to a subordinate or auxiliary temporary position or entity, often within a larger organizational or research framework. It is typically used to describe a secondary, short-term arrangement that supports a primary temporary structure.

redynism

C1

To systematically revitalize and inject new energy into a stagnant system, organization, or process. It involves transitioning from a state of inertia to one of active, fluid, and high-performance operation through targeted reforms.

adroit

C1

Displaying physical or mental skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness, especially in handling difficult situations or social interactions. It suggests a high degree of dexterity and the ability to respond with quickness and precision.

amass

C1

To gradually collect or accumulate a large amount of something, such as wealth, information, or evidence, over a period of time. It implies the final quantity is substantial and often impressive.

foresolvity

C1

Describes a person or method characterized by the proactive ability to solve problems before they even occur. It refers to a high level of anticipatory problem-solving and strategic preventative action.

avocation

C1

An avocation is a hobby or minor occupation pursued in addition to one's main profession. It is typically a regular activity done for pleasure or personal satisfaction rather than for financial gain.

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