employ animals; force labor
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to work (animals); to use livestock for labor
neutralRefers to using draft animals such as horses, mules, or oxen for work. Often used in agricultural or traditional contexts.
Nóng农
mín民
yì役
shǐ使
zhe着
luó骡
mǎ马
zài在
tián田
jiān间
láo劳
zuò作
。
The farmers worked the mules and horses in the fields.
Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
，
rén人
men们
yì役
shǐ使
niú牛
lái来
gēng耕
tián田
。
In ancient times, people used oxen to plow the fields.
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Zhè这
pǐ匹
lǎo老
mǎ马
bèi被
yì役
shǐ使
le了
shí十
jǐ几
nián年
。
This old horse has been worked for more than a decade.
verb
to force (someone) to work; to compel labor; to exploit labor
formalImplies coercion or exploitation, often used in historical contexts regarding slavery or forced labor. Carries a negative connotation.
Nú奴
lì隶
zhǔ主
yì役
shǐ使
nú奴
bì婢
zuò做
gè各
zhǒng种
fán繁
zhòng重
de的
láo劳
dòng动
。
Slave owners forced their servants to perform all kinds of heavy labor.
Gù雇
zhǔ主
bù不
dé得
fēi非
fǎ法
yì役
shǐ使
tóng童
gōng工
。
Employers must not illegally exploit child labor.
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Zài在
nà那
gè个
hēi黑
àn暗
de的
nián年
dài代
，
bǎi百
xìng姓
bèi被
yì役
shǐ使
qù去
xiū修
jiàn建
cháng长
chéng城
。
In those dark times, common people were forced to work on building the Great Wall.