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操劳 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
操劳cāoláoto work hardHSK 7, v, 23 strokes, rank #23112, Very Hard
操劳cāoláoto look afterHSK 7, v, 23 strokes, rank #23112, Very Hard
cāoláo(cao1lao2)cao lao T1
  1. 1to work hard
  2. 2to look after
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March 24, 2026

操劳(操勞)cāoláo(cao1lao2)

操劳 refers to the act of working hard, often in a context where one is looking after someone or something. It conveys a sense of effort and dedication, particularly in caring for others or managing responsibilities. This term is commonly used in both personal and professional settings, emphasizing the laborious nature of the work involved.

Strokes23Frequency#23112DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of操劳 often reflects the value placed on hard work and familial duty, especially in the context of caring for elderly family members. This aligns with the Confucian ideal of filial piety.

Memory tip

Think of 操 (cāo) as 'to handle' or 'to manage' and 劳 (láo) as 'labor' or 'to toil'. Imagine a caregiver (操) diligently managing a garden (劳), nurturing plants to grow—this imagery connects the meaning of hard work with caring.

Meanings of 操劳

cāoláo(cao1lao2)
1to work hard
2to look after
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 操劳

操劳Simplified
操勞Traditional
23Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#23112Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5BCT✓CEFRC2

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Podcast: 操劳

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AI Study Notes for 操劳

Quick Contrast

辛苦 (xīnkǔ) vs 操劳 (cāoláo): use 辛苦 when emphasizing the hardship of the work, while 操劳 focuses on the act of working hard in a caring or responsible context.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 操劳 with simpler terms like 工作 (gōngzuò) which means 'work' but lacks the connotation of care. It's usually used in a more formal or serious context, so be mindful of the setting when using this term. Additionally, ensure to pronounce it accurately, as the tones are crucial in conveying the correct meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, understanding 操劳 can enhance your vocabulary related to work and responsibilities. Focus on using it in sentences that involve caring for others or managing tasks, which can help connect it with other advanced vocabulary about labor and care.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes mistakenly use 操劳 interchangeably with 工作 (gōngzuò), but this can lead to losing the nuance of care involved. For example, saying '我操劳工作' (Wǒ cāo láo gōngzuò) is incorrect; instead, use '我操劳照顾家人' (Wǒ cāo láo zhàogù jiārén) to express caring work.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 操劳

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Component Characters

操cāoto conduct, to manage, to run
16 strokes扌
View full entry
劳láotoil
7 strokes力
View full entry

How to say to work hard in Chinese

“to work hard” in Chinese is操劳cāoláo

操劳 refers to the act of working hard, often in a context where one is looking after someone or something. It conveys a sense of effort and dedication, particularly in caring for others or managing responsibilities. This term is commonly used in both personal and professional settings, emphasizing the laborious nature of the work involved.

When to use 操劳

Learners often confuse 操劳 with simpler terms like 工作 (gōngzuò) which means 'work' but lacks the connotation of care. It's usually used in a more formal or serious context, so be mindful of the setting when using this term. Additionally, ensure to pronounce it accurately, as the tones are crucial in conveying the correct meaning.

操劳 or something close to it

辛苦 (xīnkǔ) vs 操劳 (cāoláo): use 辛苦 when emphasizing the hardship of the work, while 操劳 focuses on the act of working hard in a caring or responsible context.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes mistakenly use 操劳 interchangeably with 工作 (gōngzuò), but this can lead to losing the nuance of care involved. For example, saying '我操劳工作' (Wǒ cāo láo gōngzuò) is incorrect; instead, use '我操劳照顾家人' (Wǒ cāo láo zhàogù jiārén) to express caring work.

Write 操劳

操
劳

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Grammar Patterns of 操劳

操劳 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

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那位____过度的家长看起来好像并不疼爱孩子,但实际上可能是太累的缘故。

The overworked, overextended parent may be seen as unloving, but may simply be exhausted.

Example Sentences for 操劳 (1)

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1
那位操劳过度的家长看起来好像并不疼爱孩子,但实际上可能是太累的缘故。

nà wèi cāo láo guò dù de jiā cháng kàn qǐ lái hǎo xiàng bìng bù téng ài hái zǐ, , dàn shí jì shàng kě néng shì tài léi de yuán。

The overworked, overextended parent may be seen as unloving, but may simply be exhausted.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 操劳

Not exactly; it is specifically used to describe hard work that involves care or responsibility, rather than just any work.

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