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罢工 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
罢工bàgōnga strikeHSK 7, v, 13 strokes, rank #6814, Very Hard
罢工bàgōngto go on strikeHSK 7, v, 13 strokes, rank #6814, Very Hard
bàgōng(ba4gong1)ba gong T4
  1. 1a strike
  2. 2to go on strike
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March 24, 2026

罢工(罷工)bàgōng(ba4gong1)

罢工 refers to a collective action taken by workers to stop working in order to express grievances or demand better working conditions. It is commonly used in labor movements and discussions about workers' rights, often highlighting issues such as wages, working hours, and safety. The term carries a strong connotation of solidarity among workers.

Strokes13Frequency#6814DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In China, 罢工 has historical significance as it reflects the struggles faced by workers, especially during the reform era when labor rights started to gain more attention. Strikes have been pivotal in shaping labor laws and policies in modern China.

Memory Tip

Think of 罢 (bà) as 'to stop' and 工 (gōng) as 'work'. Imagine workers holding signs that say 'Stop Work!' during a strike, making it easy to remember that 罢工 is about stopping work for a cause.

Meanings of 罢工

bàgōng(ba4gong1)
1a strike
2to go on strike
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About 罢工

罢工Simplified
罷工Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6814Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 罢工

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AI Study Notes for 罢工

Quick Contrast

罢工 (strike) vs 停工 (suspend work) — use 罢工 when emphasizing collective action by workers, while 停工 refers to a temporary halt in work that may not involve worker grievances.

Usage Notes

When using 罢工, it is important to note the context, as it can imply strong political or social movements. Common mistakes include confusing it with other similar terms like 停工 (tíng gōng), which means 'to cease work' but lacks the collective aspect of a strike. Be mindful of the tone; 罢工 is more formal than casual expressions of dissatisfaction.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 6, students should focus on the implications of 罢工 in social and political contexts. It connects to other labor-related vocabulary such as 工人 (gōng rén, worker) and 劳动 (láo dòng, labor), enriching understanding of the labor landscape in Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 罢工 to mean any type of work stoppage without the collective aspect, such as saying '我今天罢工' (I am striking today) when they mean 'I am taking a day off' (我今天请假). The correct term for taking personal leave is 请假 (qǐng jià).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 罢工

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Component Characters

罢bàto stop
10 strokes罒
View full entry
工gōngwork
HSK 33 strokes工
View full entry

How to say a strike in Chinese

“a strike” in Chinese is罢工bàgōng

罢工 refers to a collective action taken by workers to stop working in order to express grievances or demand better working conditions. It is commonly used in labor movements and discussions about workers' rights, often highlighting issues such as wages, working hours, and safety. The term carries a strong connotation of solidarity among workers.

When to use 罢工

When using 罢工, it is important to note the context, as it can imply strong political or social movements. Common mistakes include confusing it with other similar terms like 停工 (tíng gōng), which means 'to cease work' but lacks the collective aspect of a strike. Be mindful of the tone; 罢工 is more formal than casual expressions of dissatisfaction.

罢工 or something close to it

罢工 (strike) vs 停工 (suspend work) — use 罢工 when emphasizing collective action by workers, while 停工 refers to a temporary halt in work that may not involve worker grievances.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 罢工 to mean any type of work stoppage without the collective aspect, such as saying '我今天罢工' (I am striking today) when they mean 'I am taking a day off' (我今天请假). The correct term for taking personal leave is 请假 (qǐng jià).

Write 罢工

罢
工

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Cultural Notes for 罢工

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, strikes are often seen as a fundamental right of workers, while in China, they can be more controversial and sometimes met with government resistance.

Frequently Asked Questions about 罢工

罢工 specifically refers to a strike initiated by workers for collective action, while 停工 is more general and can refer to any cessation of work, often for administrative reasons.

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