long-term laborer's work; hired hand
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
long-term laborer's work; farm laborer's job
Refers specifically to the work or occupation of a hired long-term farm laborer, often in historical or rural contexts. Commonly used in the phrase 扛长活 (to work as a hired hand).
He worked as a hired hand for several years when he was young.
Working as a long-term laborer is hard work; you have to work from dawn till dusk.
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In the old society, many poor peasants relied on working as hired hands to make a living.
noun
long-term laborer; hired hand
dialectUsed in some northern dialects to refer to the person (long-term laborer) rather than the work itself. This usage is marked as dialectal (〈方〉).
His family used to employ several long-term laborers; now everything is mechanized.
This hired hand has worked at his house for more than ten years; he's closer than family.