劳累

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láolèi: 劳累 - Tired, Fatigued, Worn out

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: laolei, 劳累, tired in Chinese, fatigued, exhausted, overworked, Chinese for tired, láo, lèi, physical exhaustion, mental fatigue, Chinese work culture, 辛苦, 疲劳.
  • Summary: Learn the Chinese word 劳累 (láolèi), which means to be tired, fatigued, or worn out. More than just the simple “tired” (累, lèi), `劳累` describes a deep physical or mental exhaustion that comes from prolonged hard work, labor, or stress. This page explores its meaning, cultural significance in China's work ethic, and provides practical examples to help you use it accurately to express fatigue or show concern for others.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): láolèi
  • Part of Speech: Adjective, Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: To be tired or fatigued as a result of strenuous physical or mental effort.
  • In a Nutshell: Think of `劳累` not as the sleepiness you feel at 10 PM, but as the bone-deep weariness you feel after a full day of moving furniture, finishing a massive project at work, or caring for a sick family member. It’s the feeling of being “run down” or “worn out” from exertion. It specifically links the tiredness to the labor that caused it.

Character Breakdown

  • 劳 (láo): This character means “to work,” “labor,” or “toil.” It represents the effort and exertion involved in a task.
  • 累 (lèi): This character means “tired” or “weary.” The character itself is complex, originally depicting the fine, detailed work (like working with silk 糸) in a field (田), which is inherently tiring.
  • When combined, 劳累 (láolèi) literally means “labor-tired.” This elegantly captures the core meaning: a state of fatigue caused directly by hard work or significant effort.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Chinese culture, enduring hardship, or 吃苦 (chīkǔ), is often seen as a virtue and a necessary path to success. The feeling of `劳累` is therefore a common and almost expected part of life, whether one is a student preparing for the intense `gaokao` exam, a parent providing for their family, or an employee striving for a promotion.
  • Comparison to “Burnout”: While `劳累` can be negative, it doesn't carry the exclusively negative connotation of the Western concept of “burnout.” Burnout implies a systemic failure and a desire to quit. `劳累`, on the other hand, can sometimes be viewed with a sense of pride or accomplishment—it is the evidence of one's diligence and sacrifice. Acknowledging someone's hard work by saying 辛苦了 (xīnkǔ le) is a common courtesy that directly addresses the effort that leads to `劳累`.
  • This perspective is rooted in a collective value system where personal sacrifice for the family or the company is highly esteemed. Being `劳累` for a good cause is often seen as honorable.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Expressing Personal Fatigue: It's used to describe a deeper exhaustion than the everyday `累 (lèi)`. You use it when you want to emphasize that your tiredness is the result of significant effort.
  • Showing Concern for Others: A very common use is to advise someone not to overwork themselves. A phrase like `别太劳累了 (bié tài láolèi le)`—“Don't get too worn out”—is a warm and caring expression.
  • Medical Context: A doctor might ask `最近是不是感觉很劳累？ (zuìjìn shì bùshì gǎnjué hěn láolèi?)` to inquire about symptoms of fatigue.
  • Formality: It is slightly more formal than the simple `累 (lèi)`. While you can use it in daily conversation, it also fits well in more formal or written contexts.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 经过一整天的工作，我觉得非常劳累。
    • Pinyin: Jīngguò yī zhěng tiān de gōngzuò, wǒ juédé fēicháng láolèi.
    • English: After a full day of work, I feel extremely fatigued.
    • Analysis: This is a standard use, expressing personal fatigue caused by work. `非常 (fēicháng)` emphasizes the high degree of exhaustion.
  • Example 2:
    • 医生建议他不要过度劳累，要注意休息。
    • Pinyin: Yīshēng jiànyì tā bùyào guòdù láolèi, yào zhùyì xiūxí.
    • English: The doctor advised him not to overwork himself and to pay attention to resting.
    • Analysis: Here, `过度劳累 (guòdù láolèi)` means “to overwork” or “excessive fatigue.” This is a common phrase in health-related advice.
  • Example 3:
    • 你脸色不太好，是不是最近太劳累了？
    • Pinyin: Nǐ liǎnsè bù tài hǎo, shì bùshì zuìjìn tài láolèi le?
    • English: You don't look well, have you been too worn out recently?
    • Analysis: A perfect example of showing concern for someone else's well-being based on their appearance.
  • Example 4:
    • 照顾两个孩子让他身心劳累。
    • Pinyin: Zhàogù liǎng gè háizi ràng tā shēnxīn láolèi.
    • English: Taking care of two children made him physically and mentally exhausted.
    • Analysis: The phrase `身心 (shēnxīn)` means “body and mind,” highlighting that `劳累` can be both physical and mental.
  • Example 5:
    • 别为了工作把身体劳累坏了。
    • Pinyin: Bié wèile gōngzuò bǎ shēntǐ láolèi huài le.
    • English: Don't ruin your health by overworking.
    • Analysis: Here `劳累` is used as a verb in a `把 (bǎ)` construction. `劳累坏了 (láolèi huài le)` implies “to wear out (the body) to the point of breaking/damage.”
  • Example 6:
    • 连续开会八个小时，我的大脑感到十分劳累。
    • Pinyin: Liánxù kāihuì bā gè xiǎoshí, wǒ de dànǎo gǎndào shífēn láolèi.
    • English: After eight consecutive hours of meetings, my brain feels very fatigued.
    • Analysis: This example clearly shows `劳累` being used for mental exhaustion, not just physical labor.
  • Example 7:
    • 长途跋涉后，士兵们都劳累不堪。
    • Pinyin: Chángtú báshè hòu, shìbīngmen dōu láolèi bùkān.
    • English: After the long and arduous journey, the soldiers were unbearably exhausted.
    • Analysis: `劳累不堪 (láolèi bùkān)` is a four-character idiom (chengyu) meaning “unbearably tired” or “utterly exhausted.” It's a very strong and somewhat formal expression.
  • Example 8:
    • 他年纪大了，干不了这种劳累的活儿了。
    • Pinyin: Tā niánjì dàle, gàn bùliǎo zhè zhǒng láolèi de huó'r le.
    • English: He's old now, he can't do this kind of strenuous work anymore.
    • Analysis: Here, `劳累` acts as an adjective to describe the noun `活儿 (huó'r)`, meaning “work” or “job.”
  • Example 9:
    • 为了准备高考，学生们每天都在劳累地学习。
    • Pinyin: Wèile zhǔnbèi gāokǎo, xuéshēngmen měitiān dōu zài láolèi de xuéxí.
    • English: In order to prepare for the Gaokao, the students study arduously every day.
    • Analysis: The `地 (de)` particle turns the adjective `劳累` into an adverb, describing *how* they study—with great, tiring effort.
  • Example 10:
    • 虽然这次旅行很劳累，但是很值得。
    • Pinyin: Suīrán zhè cì lǚxíng hěn láolèi, dànshì hěn zhídé.
    • English: Although this trip was very tiring, it was very worthwhile.
    • Analysis: This example shows the dual nature of `劳累`. The feeling itself isn't pleasant, but the cause or outcome can make the effort worth it.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `劳累 (láolèi)` vs. `累 (lèi)`: This is the most common point of confusion.
    • `累 (lèi)` is the general, all-purpose word for “tired.” Use it for everyday situations.
    • `劳累 (láolèi)` is stronger, more formal, and specifically implies the tiredness came from significant work or effort (physical or mental). You wouldn't say you're `劳累` just from watching a movie, but you would say you are `累`.
  • `劳累 (láolèi)` vs. `困 (kùn)`: Don't mix them up!
    • `困 (kùn)` means “sleepy”—the physical desire to sleep.
    • `劳累 (láolèi)` means “fatigued” or “worn out.”
    • You can be `困` in a boring class without being `劳累`. You can be `劳累` after a marathon but feel too wired and agitated to be `困`.
  • Incorrect Usage:
    • `*Incorrect:* 这本书很无聊，看得我很劳累。` (This book is boring, reading it made me very fatigued.)
    • Reason: The feeling here is boredom leading to sleepiness, not fatigue from hard work.
    • Correct: `这本书很无聊，看得我很困。` (This book is boring, reading it made me very sleepy.) or `…看得我很累。` (…reading it made me tired.)

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 累 (lèi) - The most common word for “tired.” `劳累` is a more specific and intense synonym.
  • 辛苦 (xīnkǔ) - Describes a task as “hard” or “toilsome.” It focuses on the difficulty of the effort, whereas `劳累` focuses on the resulting feeling of fatigue. Often used to thank someone: `你辛苦了！`
  • 疲劳 (píláo) - “Fatigue.” A very close synonym to `劳累`, but often used in more formal, technical, or medical contexts (e.g., `驾驶疲劳` - driving fatigue, `肌肉疲劳` - muscle fatigue).
  • 疲惫 (píbèi) - “Exhausted, worn out.” This is even stronger than `劳累`, suggesting a state of complete depletion of energy.
  • 困 (kùn) - “Sleepy.” The physical sensation of needing to sleep, completely different from being worn out from labor.
  • 吃苦 (chīkǔ) - “To endure hardship.” A key cultural concept describing the virtue of bearing difficulty, which often leads to the state of `劳累`.
  • 过劳 (guòláo) - “Overwork.” The direct cause of extreme `劳累`. It's used as a noun or verb to describe working to the point of exhaustion or illness.