劳

勞

láo

力 + 𫇦

Definitions

láo (verb) to labor; to toil

láo (noun) labor; work

láo (verb) to trouble someone

láo (noun) meritorious deed

Etymology

Simplified form of 勞. Depicts the hard work of sewing clothes (衣) with only firelight (炏). Later the 力 (strength, power) component was added.

About

劳 is the simplified version of 勞, which originally combined 炏 (firelight) and 衣 (clothing) to illustrate the hard work of sewing by firelight. The 力 (strength) component was added later to emphasize the physical effort involved. While the simplified character retains 力, it replaces the traditional upper portion with 艹 (grass) and a cover 冖, streamlining the visual complexity. The core meanings have consistently revolved around labor, toil, and exhaustion, later extending to the workforce and the act of rewarding strenuous effort.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Spring and Autumn (~600 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 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

Example Sentences Hide

劳动最光荣。

Láodòng zuì guāngróng.

Labor is most glorious.

他整天劳累地工作。

Tā zhěngtiān láolèi de gōngzuò.

He works hard all day long.

这份报酬是劳动的成果。

Zhè fèn bàochou shì láodòng de chéngguǒ.

This reward is the fruit of labor.

我们要尊重劳动者的付出。

Wǒmen yào zūnzhòng láodòng zhě de fùchū.

We must respect the efforts of the laborers.

公司慰劳了所有优秀员工。

Gōngsī wèiláo le suǒyǒu yōuxiù yuángōng.

The company showed appreciation to all outstanding employees.

他的功劳不会被大家忘记。

Tā de gōngláo bù huì bèi dàjiā wàngjì.

His contributions will not be forgotten by everyone.

这项任务劳神又费力。

Zhè xiàng rènwù láoshén yòu fèilì.

This task is mentally and physically exhausting.

社会发展中脑力劳动越来越重要。

Shèhuì fāzhǎn zhōng nǎolì láodòng yuèláiyuè zhòngyào.

Mental labor is becoming increasingly important in social development.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 力

Component: 𫇦

Example Words