労
労·labor, toil, trouble
- On-yomi
- ロウ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 労働 | ろうどう | labor, work |
| 苦労 | くろう | hardship, trouble |
| 過労 | かろう | overwork |
| 労力 | ろうりょく | effort, manpower |
Example sentences
毎日の労働は楽ではありません。
まいにちのろうどうはらくではありません。
The daily work is not easy.
若いときにいろいろ苦労しました。
わかいときにいろいろくろうしました。
I went through a lot of hardship when I was young.
過労で倒れる人もいます。
かろうでたおれるひともいます。
Some people collapse from overwork.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 苦労 as *くろ instead of くろう
- Using 労働 for everyday 'work' — for a job you go to, 仕事 or 働く is natural
Memory aid
Picture it
力 (strength) under a burning roof of sparks — strength spent under pressure is labour.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 苦労するくろうするto have a hard time
- 労働ろうどうlabor, work
- 苦労くろうhardship, trouble
- 労うねぎらうto thank for one's efforts; to show appreciation
- ご苦労様ごくろうさまthank you for your work
- 疲労ひろうfatigue
- 過労かろうoverwork
- 過労死かろうしdeath from overwork
- 労力ろうりょくlabour; effort; toil; trouble
- 労るいたわるto be kind to; to treat with care; to console; to sympathize with
- 勤労きんろうlabor; work; diligent service
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 労 mean?