láo
劳役
labor; toil; corvée
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
corvée; forced labor
formalHistorically refers to a system of unpaid, compulsory labor imposed by a state or feudal lord, often for public works. Can be used in a historical or literary context.
Gǔ古
dài代
nóng农
mín民
měi每
nián年
yào要
fú服
yī一
gè个
yuè月
de的
láo劳
yì役
。
In ancient times, peasants had to perform one month of corvée labor each year.
Fán繁
zhòng重
de的
láo劳
yì役
yā压
dé得
rén人
mín民
chuǎn喘
bù不
guò过
qì气
lái来
。
Heavy forced labor left the people breathless.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Zhè这
xiàng项
gōng工
chéng程
zhēng征
fā发
le了
dà大
liàng量
láo劳
yì役
。
This project conscripted a large amount of corvée labor.
verb
(of livestock) to be used for work; to serve as a draft animal
Specifically refers to employing livestock (like oxen, horses) for labor such as plowing, pulling carts, etc. This usage is more common in rural or historical contexts.
Tā他
jiā家
yǒu有
sān三
tóu头
néng能
láo劳
yì役
de的
niú牛
。
His family has three oxen that can be used for work.
Zhè这
pǐ匹
mǎ马
nián年
suì岁
dà大
le了
，
bù不
néng能
zài再
láo劳
yì役
le了
。
This horse is too old to be used for labor anymore.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Yǐ以
qián前
，
lǘ驴
zi子
shì是
zhòng重
yào要
de的
láo劳
yì役
shēng牲
chù畜
。
In the past, donkeys were important draft animals.