Korean word

노동

Pronunciation

Romanizationnodong

Meaning

  • nounlabor

Example

사회는 노동을 존중해야 한다.sa hoe neun no dong eul chon jung hae ya han da

Society should respect labor.

Illustration for 노동 (labor)

More examples

이번 계약에서 노동 조건이 개선되었다.i beon kye ya ge seo no dong cho geo ni kae seon doe eot tta

The working conditions improved under this contract.

Core concept

The effort people put into work with their bodies or minds, especially for a livelihood.

Common phrases

  • 노동 조건no dong cho geon

    working conditions

  • 노동 시간no dong si gan

    working hours

  • 노동 시장no dong si jang

    labor market

Similar words

일il: A task, errand, or matter that a person needs to handle.
직업chigeop: The type of work a person does as an occupation or profession.
직장chikjjang: The place or organization where a person regularly works.

Definition in Korean

몸이나 정신을 써서 하는 일이나 활동으로, 주로 생계를 위해 이루어지는 것.mo mi na cheong si neul sseo seo ha neun i ri na hwal dong eu ro chu ro saeng gye reul wi hae i ru eo ji neun keot

Word origin

The word comes from the Sino-Korean reading of Chinese characters meaning labor and movement, expressing work that uses effort and action.

Usage tips

  • English-speaking learners can remember 노동 (nodong, "labor") as a term for work viewed as part of society or the economy rather than just a single task.

Opposites

Related words

  • 노동자nodongjaworkernoun
  • 노동력nodongnyeokworkforcenoun
  • 노동법nodongbeoplabor lawnoun

Word lists with this word