Understanding 労働 (ろうどう)
The word 労働 refers to labor or work, often emphasizing physical or manual work but can also apply broadly to employment activities. It is commonly used in formal or official contexts, such as discussions about working conditions, labor rights, or employment laws.
Common Contexts and Usage
労働 is frequently paired with words like 労働時間 (working hours), 労働条件 (working conditions), and 労働組合 (labor union). It often appears in conversations about workers' rights, workplace regulations, and economic discussions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 労働時間 (ろうどうじかん): working hours — used when talking about the length of work periods.
- 労働条件 (ろうどうじょうけん): working conditions — refers to the environment and terms of employment.
- 労働組合 (ろうどうくみあい): labor union — an organization representing workers.
Usage Notes
When using 労働, the nuance often leans toward formal or institutional contexts rather than casual talk about daily tasks. For casual conversation about work, 働く (はたらく) or 仕事 (しごと) might be more common. Avoid confusing 労働 with 働く; 労働 is more abstract and collective, often used in legal, economic, or social discussions.
Tips for Learners
To sound natural, use 労働 when discussing topics like labor laws, workers’ rights, or employment conditions. For example, "労働時間が長い" (working hours are long) is a typical phrase. Remember that 労働 is a noun and often appears in compound words or formal statements.