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劳动力 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
劳动力láodònglìlabor forceHSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #21169, Hard
劳动力láodònglìmanpowerHSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #21169, Hard
láodònglì(lao2dong4li4)lao dong li T2
  1. 1labor force
  2. 2manpower
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March 24, 2026

劳动力(勞動力)láodònglì(lao2dong4li4)

劳动力 refers to the workforce or manpower available for work in a specific context, such as an economy or industry. It encompasses all individuals capable of performing work, highlighting the importance of human resources in production and economic activities.

Strokes15Frequency#21169DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In China, the concept of 劳动力 is pivotal due to the country's rapid industrialization and economic development. The workforce has played a crucial role in transforming China into a global manufacturing hub.

Memory tip

Think of 劳 (láo) as 'labor' and 动力 (dòng lì) as 'driving force.' Imagine a team of workers pushing a massive machine forward, representing the power of human labor driving progress.

Meanings of 劳动力

láodònglì(lao2dong4li4)
1labor force
2manpower
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About 劳动力

劳动力Simplified
勞動力Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 劳动力

Quick Contrast

劳力 (láolì) refers specifically to labor or workers, emphasizing physical work, while 劳动力 (láodònglì) encompasses the broader concept of workforce, including all individuals capable of work.

Usage Notes

This term is typically used in formal contexts such as economics and labor discussions. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar terms like 劳动 (láo dòng), which refers more to the act of laboring rather than the workforce itself. Common collocations include '提升劳动力' (enhance the labor force) and '劳动力市场' (labor market).

HSK Study Tips

Although 劳动力 is not an official HSK word, it relates to the themes in HSK Level 4, such as work and society. Students should focus on understanding its components and practicing related vocabulary, such as 劳动 (labor) and 劳务 (labor service).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 劳动力 with 劳动, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我喜欢劳动' (I like labor) instead of the correct '我喜欢劳动力' when referring to the workforce context can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 劳动力

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Component characters

劳láotoil
7 strokes力
View full entry
动dòngto use
HSK 26 strokes力
View full entry
力lìpower
HSK 52 strokes力
View full entry

How to say labor force in Chinese

“labor force” in Chinese is劳动力láodònglì

劳动力 refers to the workforce or manpower available for work in a specific context, such as an economy or industry. It encompasses all individuals capable of performing work, highlighting the importance of human resources in production and economic activities.

When to use 劳动力

This term is typically used in formal contexts such as economics and labor discussions. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar terms like 劳动 (láo dòng), which refers more to the act of laboring rather than the workforce itself. Common collocations include '提升劳动力' (enhance the labor force) and '劳动力市场' (labor market).

劳动力 or something close to it

劳力 (láolì) refers specifically to labor or workers, emphasizing physical work, while 劳动力 (láodònglì) encompasses the broader concept of workforce, including all individuals capable of work.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 劳动力 with 劳动, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我喜欢劳动' (I like labor) instead of the correct '我喜欢劳动力' when referring to the workforce context can lead to misunderstandings.

Write 劳动力

劳
动
力

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Frequently asked questions about 劳动力

劳动力 refers specifically to the available workforce, while 劳动 refers to the act of labor or work itself.

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