láolèi: 劳累 - Tired, Fatigued, Worn out

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.