劳动
劳动 in 30 Sekunden
- Refers to labor or work, emphasizing physical or mental effort.
- Commonly used for 'Labor Day' and in educational/legal contexts.
- Distinguished from 'gōngzuò' (job) by focusing on the act of working.
- Carries a positive cultural connotation of diligence and contribution.
The Chinese term 劳动 (láodòng) is a foundational concept in the Chinese language that translates primarily to 'labor' or 'work.' However, its nuances extend far beyond a simple job description. In its most basic form, it refers to the physical or mental effort exerted to produce goods or services, or to achieve a specific result. Unlike the generic term for work, 工作 (gōngzuò), which often refers to one's profession or a specific task, 劳动 carries a weight of physical exertion and the fundamental human activity of creating value through effort.
- Core Concept
- The purposeful activity of human beings to transform the natural world and create material or spiritual wealth.
- Societal Value
- In Chinese culture, labor is often viewed as a virtuous and noble pursuit, essential for personal growth and national development.
You will encounter this word in a variety of contexts, ranging from the classroom to the political arena. In schools, 'labor education' (劳动教育) is a significant part of the curriculum, teaching students the value of manual work and practical skills. In the legal and social sphere, it appears in terms like 'Labor Law' (劳动法) and 'Labor Day' (劳动节). When a person is working hard in the fields or in a factory, their actions are described as 劳动. It emphasizes the sweat, the movement, and the active engagement of the body and mind.
农民在田野里辛勤地劳动。(Farmers are working hard in the fields.)
Furthermore, 劳动 is used to categorize different types of work. 'Manual labor' is 体力劳动 (tǐlì láodòng), while 'mental labor' or 'intellectual work' is 脑力劳动 (nǎolì láodòng). This distinction is crucial in sociological and economic discussions in China. The word also appears in the context of 'labor force' (劳动力), referring to the collective group of people capable of working within a population.
我们要热爱劳动,尊重劳动者。(We should love labor and respect laborers.)
- Grammar Note
- 劳动 can function as both a noun (labor) and a verb (to work/to labor), though its verbal use is more common in formal or descriptive contexts.
Historically, the concept of labor has been central to the ideology of the People's Republic of China. The 'glory of labor' (劳动光荣) is a common slogan used to encourage citizens to contribute to society. This cultural background ensures that the word carries a positive, almost moralistic tone that 'job' or 'work' might lack in English. It is about the contribution to the collective good through one's own hands and mind.
五一劳动节是一个重要的节日。(May 1st Labor Day is an important holiday.)
Using 劳动 (láodòng) correctly requires understanding its function as a noun and its specific collocations. In daily speech, you might use it to describe an activity, whereas in formal writing, it might describe a legal or economic concept. Let's look at how it integrates into various sentence structures.
- As a Subject
- 劳动创造了财富。(Labor created wealth.) Here, labor is the active agent performing the action.
When used as an object, it often follows verbs like 'participate in' (参加), 'love' (热爱), or 'respect' (尊重). This is very common in educational settings where students are encouraged to engage in practical work. For instance, 'Students participate in collective labor' (学生们参加集体劳动).
通过劳动,我们可以锻炼身体。(Through labor, we can exercise our bodies.)
One of the most frequent ways you will see 劳动 is as a modifier for other nouns. This creates compound terms that are essential for intermediate learners. For example, 劳动成果 (láodòng chéngguǒ) means 'the fruits of labor' or 'results of work.' 劳动强度 (láodòng qiángdù) refers to 'labor intensity,' describing how demanding a task is.
长期的体力劳动让他非常疲惫。(Long-term physical labor made him very tired.)
- As a Verb
- In formal contexts, you can say '他们在工厂劳动' (They are laboring/working in the factory). However, in casual speech, people usually say '他们在工厂干活' (They are doing work in the factory).
In terms of grammar, 劳动 is an inseparable word. You generally don't put a measure word directly in front of it unless you are talking about 'a type of labor' (一种劳动). It is often preceded by adjectives like 'hard' (辛勤的), 'heavy' (繁重的), or 'simple' (简单的). These adjectives help specify the nature of the effort being discussed.
这种劳动对年轻人很有好处。(This kind of labor is very beneficial for young people.)
Understanding where 劳动 (láodòng) appears in real life helps you grasp its cultural resonance. It is not just a vocabulary word; it is a staple of Chinese public life, media, and education. You will hear it most frequently in the following environments.
- In Schools
- Chinese students often have 'labor classes' (劳动课) or 'labor week' (劳动周). Teachers will tell students to 'love labor' (热爱劳动) to encourage them to keep the classroom clean or help with gardening.
During the month of May, the word is everywhere because of 五一劳动节 (Wǔ-Yī Láodòngjié), the International Workers' Day. News reports will feature stories about 'model workers' (劳动模范 or 劳模), individuals who have made extraordinary contributions through their work. This is a time when the dignity of labor is celebrated nationally.
他在新闻中被评为全国劳动模范。(He was named a national model worker in the news.)
In the workplace and legal world, 劳动 is the standard term for anything related to employment rights. You will hear about 劳动合同 (láodòng hétóng) 'labor contracts' and 劳动争议 (láodòng zhēngyì) 'labor disputes.' If someone is talking about their rights as an employee, they will almost certainly use this word rather than the more casual 'work' terms.
In rural areas or construction sites, you might hear people talking about the 'labor force' (劳动力). For example, a village might be described as lacking 'young labor force' (青壮年劳动力) because many young people have moved to the cities for work. This highlights the economic aspect of the word, viewing human effort as a resource.
这个项目需要大量的劳动力。(This project requires a large amount of labor force.)
- In Literature and Art
- Songs and poems often praise labor. There are famous 'labor songs' (劳动号子) that were historically sung by workers to synchronize their movements during heavy physical tasks like pulling boats or lifting beams.
While 劳动 (láodòng) is a common word, learners often misuse it by confusing it with other 'work' related terms. Understanding these distinctions is key to sounding more natural in Chinese.
- Mistake 1: Confusing with 工作 (gōngzuò)
- Learners often say '我的劳动是老师' (My labor is a teacher). This is incorrect. You must use 工作 for a profession: '我的工作是老师'. 劳动 refers to the act of working, not the job title itself.
Another common error is using 劳动 when you just mean 'doing something.' If you are cleaning your room, you could say you are engaging in 家务劳动 (jiāwù láodòng) in a formal sense, but it's much more common to say 干活 (gànhuó) or 做家务 (zuò jiāwù). Using 劳动 in casual household contexts can sound overly dramatic or like a textbook sentence.
Incorrect: 我下午要去劳动。(I'm going to 'labor' this afternoon - sounds like a prison sentence or a formal organized event). Correct: 我下午要去工作。(I'm going to work.)
There is also a confusion between 'labor' and 'exercise.' While both involve physical effort, 劳动 must result in something productive. Going to the gym is 锻炼 (duànliàn) or 运动 (yùndòng), not 劳动. However, if you are digging a hole to plant a tree, that is definitely 劳动.
- Mistake 2: Overusing as a Verb
- In English, we say 'he is laboring.' In Chinese, while '他在劳动' is grammatically possible, it sounds very formal. It's better used as a noun in most cases.
Proper usage: 他的劳动得到了认可。(His labor received recognition.)
To expand your vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that are similar to 劳动 (láodòng) but used in different registers or contexts. Chinese has several ways to say 'work' or 'labor' depending on the flavor of the sentence.
- 工作 (gōngzuò)
- The most general term for work/job. It can be a noun or a verb. It is used for office jobs, professional roles, and general tasks.
Example: 我很喜欢我的工作。 (I like my job very much.) - 干活 (gànhuó)
- Informal and colloquial. It specifically refers to doing manual work, chores, or physical tasks. It is what you would say at home or on a construction site.
Example: 别站着,快来干活! (Don't just stand there, come and do some work!) - 劳作 (láozuò)
- A more literary or old-fashioned term for labor, often specifically referring to farming or traditional crafts. It evokes a sense of timeless, repetitive toil.
Example: 农民日出而作,日入而息,辛苦劳作。 (Farmers work at sunrise and rest at sunset, laboring hard.)
When discussing the results of labor, you might use 成果 (chéngguǒ) or 产品 (chǎnpǐn). When discussing the effort itself in a more abstract way, 辛劳 (xīnláo) emphasizes the hardship and exhaustion involved.
我们要珍惜他人的劳动成果。(We should cherish the fruits of others' labor.)
- 务工 (wùgōng)
- A formal term often used for migrant workers (农民工) who go to cities to work. It implies working for a wage in an industrial or service setting.
How Formal Is It?
Wusstest du?
The character '劳' is one of the most common characters used to describe the virtue of diligence in Chinese history.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing 'láo' as 'lǎo' (third tone).
- Pronouncing 'dòng' with a flat tone instead of the falling fourth tone.
- Confusing the 'd' in 'dòng' with a 't' sound.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Characters are relatively common but '劳' has several strokes.
Writing '劳' correctly requires attention to the top component.
Pronunciation is straightforward.
Easily recognized in context.
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Beispiele nach Niveau
今天是劳动节。
Today is Labor Day.
劳动节 is a proper noun for Labor Day.
我们要参加劳动。
We need to participate in labor.
参加 (participate) is a common verb used with 劳动.
劳动很有意义。
Labor is very meaningful.
Meaningful (有意义) describes the value of the act.
他喜欢劳动。
He likes labor/working.
Simple Subject-Verb-Object structure.
这是我的劳动成果。
This is the result of my labor.
成果 (results/fruits) is a common noun modified by 劳动.
老师让我们去劳动。
The teacher asked us to go do labor.
Causative sentence using 让 (let/ask).
他在地里劳动。
He is working in the field.
在...劳动 indicates the location of the activity.
大家都在劳动。
Everyone is working.
都 (all) emphasizes the collective action.
学生们每周都要参加集体劳动。
Students have to participate in collective labor every week.
集体 (collective) specifies the type of labor.
体力劳动对身体有好处。
Physical labor is good for the body.
体力 (physical strength) modifies 劳动.
我们要尊重每一个劳动者。
We should respect every laborer.
劳动者 (laborer) is the person who performs 劳动.
劳动节期间,我们放假三天。
During the Labor Day period, we have three days off.
期间 (during) sets the timeframe.
辛勤的劳动换来了丰收。
Hard labor brought a good harvest.
辛勤的 (hard-working) is a common adjective for 劳动.
这种劳动并不辛苦。
This kind of labor is not hard.
辛苦 (hard/toilsome) is often used to describe 劳动.
他通过劳动赚到了钱。
He earned money through labor.
通过 (through) indicates the means.
学校很重视劳动教育。
The school attaches great importance to labor education.
重视 (attach importance to) is a formal verb.
公司必须和员工签订劳动合同。
The company must sign a labor contract with the employees.
劳动合同 (labor contract) is a standard legal term.
脑力劳动和体力劳动同样重要。
Mental labor and physical labor are equally important.
脑力 (brain power) vs 体力 (physical strength).
我们要保护劳动者的合法权益。
We must protect the legitimate rights and interests of laborers.
合法权益 (legitimate rights) is a formal phrase.
这里的劳动力成本正在上升。
The cost of labor here is rising.
劳动力 (labor force/labor) used in an economic sense.
他被评为本年度的劳动模范。
He was named the model worker of the year.
劳动模范 (model worker) is a specific cultural title.
这种繁重的劳动让他吃不消。
This heavy labor was more than he could stand.
吃不消 (cannot stand/unbearable) is a common idiom.
劳动不仅创造财富,还能塑造人格。
Labor not only creates wealth but also shapes character.
不仅...还... (not only... but also...) structure.
他在劳动中积累了丰富的经验。
He accumulated rich experience during his work/labor.
在...中 (during/in the process of) indicates context.
政府出台了新的劳动法以保障工人权利。
The government introduced a new labor law to protect workers' rights.
劳动法 (Labor Law) refers to the body of legislation.
劳动生产率的提高是经济增长的关键。
The increase in labor productivity is the key to economic growth.
劳动生产率 (labor productivity) is a technical economic term.
这家工厂属于劳动密集型产业。
This factory belongs to a labor-intensive industry.
劳动密集型 (labor-intensive) describes industry types.
双方因劳动报酬问题产生了争议。
The two parties had a dispute over labor remuneration.
劳动报酬 (labor remuneration/pay) is a formal term for wages.
自动化技术正在改变传统的劳动方式。
Automation technology is changing traditional ways of labor.
劳动方式 (way of labor/working style).
我们要弘扬劳动精神,追求卓越。
We should promote the spirit of labor and pursue excellence.
弘扬 (promote/carry forward) is a high-level verb.
农村富余劳动力向城市转移是一个大趋势。
The transfer of surplus rural labor to cities is a major trend.
富余劳动力 (surplus labor) is a demographic term.
长期从事重复性劳动可能导致职业病。
Long-term engagement in repetitive labor can lead to occupational diseases.
从事 (engage in) is used for long-term activities.
劳动的异化是现代社会面临的一个深刻问题。
The alienation of labor is a profound problem facing modern society.
异化 (alienation) is a philosophical/sociological term.
这部小说生动地描写了底层劳动人民的生活。
This novel vividly depicts the lives of the grassroots working people.
劳动人民 (working people) refers to the working class.
劳动力的跨国流动带来了复杂的社会影响。
The transnational flow of labor has brought complex social impacts.
跨国流动 (transnational flow) is an academic phrase.
我们需要重新审视劳动的价值与意义。
We need to re-examine the value and meaning of labor.
重新审视 (re-examine) indicates deep reflection.
劳动争议仲裁委员会正在处理这起案件。
The Labor Dispute Arbitration Committee is handling this case.
A very specific legal institutional name.
体力劳动者往往在社会分配中处于不利地位。
Physical laborers are often at a disadvantage in social distribution.
处于不利地位 (to be at a disadvantage).
劳动美学在当代的艺术创作中得到了新的体现。
Labor aesthetics has found new expression in contemporary artistic creation.
劳动美学 (labor aesthetics) is a specialized academic term.
他毕生致力于研究劳动法学的理论体系。
He dedicated his life to studying the theoretical system of labor jurisprudence.
劳动法学 (labor jurisprudence) is the study of labor law.
在后工业时代,劳动的内涵发生了根本性的嬗变。
In the post-industrial era, the connotation of labor has undergone a fundamental transformation.
嬗变 (transformation/evolution) is an extremely formal, literary word.
马克思主义政治经济学对劳动的本质进行了透彻的阐述。
Marxist political economy provided a thorough exposition of the essence of labor.
透彻的阐述 (thorough exposition) is academic register.
劳动力市场的灵活性与保障性之间的博弈愈演愈烈。
The game between the flexibility and security of the labor market is intensifying.
博弈 (game/play) refers to strategic interaction.
该政策旨在缓解劳动年龄人口减少带来的压力。
The policy aims to alleviate the pressure caused by the decrease in the working-age population.
劳动年龄人口 (working-age population) is a precise demographic term.
劳动不仅是谋生的手段,更是自我实现的途径。
Labor is not only a means of livelihood but also a path to self-actualization.
自我实现 (self-actualization) is a psychological term.
这种劳动密集的低端产业已不再适应当前的发展需求。
This labor-intensive low-end industry no longer meets current development needs.
低端产业 (low-end industry) is a common economic descriptor.
法律应当严厉打击非法剥夺他人劳动成果的行为。
The law should crack down on the illegal deprivation of others' labor results.
剥夺 (deprive) is a formal verb for taking something away.
劳动的尊严不应因职业的分工而有所差别。
The dignity of labor should not differ because of the division of labor.
职业的分工 (division of labor) is a sociological concept.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— Labor Day, usually May 1st.
劳动节快乐!
— A model worker who is praised for hard work.
他是全国劳动模范。
— The intensity or difficulty of a task.
这项工作的劳动强度很大。
— The working people/working class.
劳动人民最伟大。
— Housework or household chores.
分担家务劳动。
— Work done together as a group.
学校组织集体劳动。
— Voluntary labor without pay.
周末去社区做义务劳动。
— Labor security or social security for workers.
完善劳动保障制度。
— Payment or wages for labor.
按时支付劳动报酬。
— Education about labor and practical skills.
加强中小学劳动教育。
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— To gain without effort; to reap where one has not sown.
我们不能总想着不劳而获。
Critical— Working very hard and diligently.
他在田里辛勤劳作了一辈子。
Literary— To bear hardship and complaints without grumbling.
他工作任劳任怨,深受好评。
Praiseworthy— To work hard but achieve nothing; to toil in vain.
没有计划的行动往往劳而无功。
Neutral— Distribution according to work/labor.
实行按劳分配的原则。
Formal/Political— To strike a balance between work and rest.
学习要注意劳逸结合。
Common— To have worked hard and performed great service.
老将军劳苦功高。
Respectful— Hardworking and brave (often describing a people).
勤劳勇敢的中国人民。
Formal— To serve someone like a dog or horse (humble way to offer service).
愿效犬马之劳。
Archaic/Humble— To waste manpower and money (usually on a useless project).
修这个大坝简直是劳民伤财。
CriticalWortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Verwandt
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of 'Lao' as a 'Loud' sound of someone working, and 'Dong' as the 'Dong' sound of a hammer hitting a nail. Labor is loud and makes a dong!
Visuelle Assoziation
Visualize a person with a straw hat (劳) using their strength (力) to move (动) a heavy cart.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to use '劳动' in a sentence about your weekend chores instead of '做家务'.
Wortherkunft
The character '劳' (láo) originally depicted a lamp over a fire, suggesting working late into the night. '动' (dòng) consists of 'heavy' (重) and 'strength' (力), symbolizing the use of power to move heavy things.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Physical toil or exertion performed to complete a task.
Sino-TibetanKultureller Kontext
Be careful when using '劳动' for high-level creative work; while technically 'brain labor,' some may prefer '创作' (creation).
In English, 'labor' often sounds industrial or related to childbirth. In Chinese, it is broader and more positive.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
School
- 劳动课
- 打扫卫生
- 热爱劳动
- 参加劳动
Legal/HR
- 劳动合同
- 劳动法
- 劳动保障
- 劳动争议
Economy
- 劳动力
- 劳动强度
- 劳动生产率
- 廉价劳动力
Holidays
- 劳动节
- 五一假期
- 劳动模范
- 光荣
Daily Life
- 体力劳动
- 脑力劳动
- 家务劳动
- 辛勤劳动
Gesprächseinstiege
"你觉得体力劳动和脑力劳动哪个更累?"
"在你的国家,劳动节是怎么庆祝的?"
"你小时候在学校参加过劳动吗?"
"你认为现在的年轻人还热爱劳动吗?"
"你觉得自动化会取代人类的劳动吗?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
描述一次你参加过的最有意义的劳动经历。
论述为什么尊重劳动者对社会很重要。
Summary
劳动 (láodòng) is the essential word for 'labor.' Use it when discussing the physical act of working, social values regarding effort, or legal employment terms. For example: 辛勤劳动 (hard labor).
- Refers to labor or work, emphasizing physical or mental effort.
- Commonly used for 'Labor Day' and in educational/legal contexts.
- Distinguished from 'gōngzuò' (job) by focusing on the act of working.
- Carries a positive cultural connotation of diligence and contribution.
Beispiel
辛勤劳动换来了丰收。
Verwandte Inhalte
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Mehr work Wörter
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2Ein Unfall oder Missgeschick; ein unglückliches Ereignis, das Schaden oder Verletzung verursacht. Ein Autounfall ist ein 交通事故.
依照
A2依照 bedeutet 'gemäß' oder 'entsprechend'.
准确地
A21. Er hat die Frage genau (准确地) beantwortet. 2. Die Daten wurden präzise (准确地) erfasst.
做到
A2erreichen; vollbringen
积极地
A2Aktiv; enthusiastisch. Sie bereitet sich aktiv auf die Prüfung vor.
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Die Verwaltung; die Führung von Geschäften oder Regierungsangelegenheiten.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2Genehmigen, befürworten; einer Idee, einem Vorschlag oder einer Aktion zustimmen oder diese unterstützen.