劳模 (láo mó) — model worker (a state-awarded title for exemplary workers in China)

Definition

Short for 劳动模范 — a state-awarded title (全国劳模, 省劳模) given to exemplary workers, usually for outstanding contributions in their industry. It functions as an honorific label attached to a person's name, not just a job description.

noun
model worker (a state-awarded title for exemplary workers in China)
Measure word · 位

Examples

  • 劳模，。
    Tā bèi píng wéi quán guó láo mó, shòu dào le biǎo zhāng.
    He was rated as a national model worker and received recognition.
  • 劳模。
    Zhè wèi lǎo láo mó zài gōng chǎng gōng zuò le sì shí nián.
    This veteran model worker has worked at the factory for forty years.
  • 劳模，。
    Xué xí láo mó de jīng shén, wèi shè huì duō zuò gòng xiàn.
    Learn from the spirit of model workers and contribute more to society.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

劳láolabor
模mómodel

劳 marks labor and 模 marks model, together naming an exemplary worker.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 勞; 劳 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lì
Sound part声符shēngfú
𬡤
𬡤𬡤勞láo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 勞 uses 力 for the meaning and 𬡤 for the sound; the simplified 劳 is a later shortened shape.

Open 劳 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùtree
Sound part声符shēngfú
莫
莫mò模mó
Same sound today

The left part 木 is tree; the right part 莫 gives the sound.

Open 模 →

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