役
labor; service; war; servant
Meanings
5 senses · 25 examplesnoun
labor; corvée; forced labor
Refers specifically to heavy physical labor or compulsory service required by the state, historically known as corvée.
Building the Great Wall was one of the most strenuous corvée labors in the Qin Dynasty.
Ancient peasants often went bankrupt due to heavy corvée labor.
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In feudal society, commoners had to undertake various forms of hard labor.
This kind of hard labor is truly unbearable.
Not everyone can do this engineering project; it is heavy physical labor.
noun
military service; service
Refers to service in the armed forces.
He joined the army for his military service last year.
He is an active-duty soldier.
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He served in the military for ten years.
In many countries, young people must perform military service when they come of age.
He has retired from active service and transferred to a civilian job.
verb
to use; to drive; to enslave
literaryTo use someone as a servant or laborer; often implies control or force.
He is enslaved by his livelihood and cannot pursue his dreams.
The landlord cruelly enslaved the long-term laborers.
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Do not be enslaved by money.
In the past, colonizers enslaved the local people to mine minerals.
Emotions overrode reason, causing him to make the wrong decision.
noun
servant; menial worker; attendant
archaicRefers to people employed to perform domestic or menial tasks, often used in historical contexts.
Wealthy families kept many servants in their households.
The bailiffs stood on both sides of the main hall, looking imposing.
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That wealthy merchant always had two male attendants following him when he went out.
Ancient runners were responsible for arresting criminals.
Although he came from a low background and once worked as a menial servant, he later achieved great success.
noun
war; campaign; battle
formalOften used in the names of specific military engagements or campaigns.
The Battle of Songhu was an important campaign in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
The Pingxingguan Victory was a famous battle.
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Many soldiers sacrificed their lives in that battle.
He performed great merits in this campaign.
We achieved the final victory of the campaign.