Definitions

labor

Etymology phono-semantic

strength

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

denotes intense physical toil, fatigue, and the strain of demanding labor. It is a phono-semantic compound: the right-side radical (strength, effort) conveys the idea of laborious work, while the left-side component indicates the pronunciation. In classical literature and poetry, the character often describes the profound exhaustion and sacrifices of parents raising children, highlighting a heavy, persistent burden of severe duties beyond ordinary everyday work.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern