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劳务 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
劳务láowùservice (work done for money)HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #33723, Very Hard
劳务láowùservices (as in "goods and services")HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #33723, Very Hard
láowù(lao2wu4)lao wu T2
  1. 1service (work done for money)
  2. 2services (as in "goods and services")
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March 24, 2026

劳务(勞務)láowù(lao2wu4)

劳务 (láo wù) refers to services or work performed for compensation. It is commonly used in the context of labor services provided in various industries, such as construction, cleaning, and maintenance. The term emphasizes the transactional nature of work done in exchange for payment.

Strokes12Frequency#33723DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In China, the concept of 劳务 is significant due to the large migrant workforce that moves to urban areas for job opportunities. This has shaped the labor market and influenced social structures, reflecting the importance of labor services in economic development.

Memory tip

Think of 劳 (láo) as 'labor' and 务 (wù) as 'business.' Imagine a busy worker surrounded by tools, wearing a hard hat, symbolizing the labor aspect, while the business side is represented by a stack of coins. Together, they remind you that 'labor services' are essential for commerce.

Meanings of 劳务

láowù(lao2wu4)
1service (work done for money)
2services (as in "goods and services")
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About 劳务

劳务Simplified
勞務Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 劳务

Quick Contrast

劳动力 (láodònglì) refers to the labor force or workforce, emphasizing the people available to perform work, while 劳务 (láowù) focuses on the services or work performed for compensation.

Usage Notes

When using 劳务, be careful not to confuse it with 劳动 (láo dòng), which also means labor but has a broader connotation, including the effort or physical work involved. It is mainly used in formal contexts, especially in business or legal discussions. Common collocations include '劳务合同' (labor contract) and '劳务市场' (labor market).

HSK Study Tips

While 劳务 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it relates to HSK 4 vocabulary about work and professions. Students should focus on understanding its usage in business contexts and how it pairs with other related terms like 劳动 (labor) and 服务 (service).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 劳务 with 服务 (fú wù), which means 'service' in a broader sense. For example, saying '我需要服务' (wǒ xūyào fú wù) instead of '我需要劳务' (wǒ xūyào láo wù) when specifically referring to labor services can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 劳务

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Component characters

劳láotoil
7 strokes力
View full entry
务wùaffair
HSK 45 strokes夂
View full entry

How to say service (work done for money) in Chinese

“service (work done for money)” in Chinese is劳务láowù

劳务 (láo wù) refers to services or work performed for compensation. It is commonly used in the context of labor services provided in various industries, such as construction, cleaning, and maintenance. The term emphasizes the transactional nature of work done in exchange for payment.

When to use 劳务

When using 劳务, be careful not to confuse it with 劳动 (láo dòng), which also means labor but has a broader connotation, including the effort or physical work involved. It is mainly used in formal contexts, especially in business or legal discussions. Common collocations include '劳务合同' (labor contract) and '劳务市场' (labor market).

劳务 or something close to it

劳动力 (láodònglì) refers to the labor force or workforce, emphasizing the people available to perform work, while 劳务 (láowù) focuses on the services or work performed for compensation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 劳务 with 服务 (fú wù), which means 'service' in a broader sense. For example, saying '我需要服务' (wǒ xūyào fú wù) instead of '我需要劳务' (wǒ xūyào láo wù) when specifically referring to labor services can lead to misunderstandings.

Write 劳务

劳
务

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Frequently asked questions about 劳务

劳务 can include a variety of jobs like cleaning services, construction work, and maintenance tasks.

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