guòláosǐ: 过劳死 - Death from Overwork

• Keywords: guolaosi, guo lao si, 过劳死, death from overwork in China, karoshi, Chinese work culture, 996 culture, overworked, burnout in China, work-life balance China,猝死, 社畜.
• Summary: 过劳死 (guòláosǐ) is a modern Chinese term that literally means “death from overwork.” It refers to the tragic phenomenon of sudden death, often from a stroke or heart attack, caused by extreme job-related stress and excessive working hours. This page explores the meaning of guolaosi, its deep connection to intense work cultures like “996,” and its powerful significance in modern Chinese society. Learn how to use this term to discuss work pressure, health, and the societal challenges of burnout in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): guò láo sǐ
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: Death caused by excessive physical or mental labor.
• In a Nutshell: This is not a metaphor. “过劳死” is a chillingly direct term for a real-world phenomenon where people, often young professionals, die suddenly due to job-related exhaustion. It's a loanword from the Japanese “karōshi” (過労死) and captures a serious social problem in China and other East Asian countries. The term is a powerful indictment of a work culture that pushes individuals beyond their physical and mental limits.

• 过 (guò): In this context, it means “to exceed,” “excessive,” or “over-.” It implies going past a normal or safe limit.
• 劳 (láo): This character means “labor,” “work,” or “toil.” It refers to the exertion of effort.
• 死 (sǐ): This character simply and starkly means “death” or “to die.”

The characters combine in a literal and powerful way to mean “Excessive Labor Death.” The structure is direct and leaves no room for ambiguity, reflecting the gravity of the issue.

“过劳死” is more than just a dictionary definition; it's a cultural touchstone that signifies a crisis in modern work-life balance.

• A Critique of “Hustle Culture”: While hard work (吃苦, chīkǔ - to bear hardship) is a traditionally respected value in China, “过劳死” serves as a stark warning against its modern, extreme manifestation. It is the tragic endpoint of work systems like 996 (working 9 am to 9 pm, 6 days a week), which became notorious in China's tech sector.
• Comparison to Western “Burnout”: In the West, the concept of “burnout” is common. However, “burnout” typically refers to a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that leads one to quit a job or suffer from chronic illness. “过劳死” is the ultimate, fatal consequence. You can recover from burnout; you cannot recover from “过劳死”. The existence of this term in common parlance highlights a level of work intensity and physical risk that is less frequently discussed in the context of Western white-collar work.
• Social Impact: News reports of “过劳死” often spark widespread public debate on social media platforms like Weibo. They fuel discussions about labor laws, corporate responsibility, and the immense pressure (内卷, nèijuǎn - involution) faced by young people in China'