辛劳 (xīn láo) is a noun meaning 'arduous labor' or 'hard, exhausting work.' It combines two characters: 辛 (xīn), which originally meant 'bitter' or 'painful' and now conveys hardship, toil, or suffering; and 劳 (láo), meaning 'to work,' 'to labor,' or 'to exert oneself.' Together, they emphasize physical or mental effort that is strenuous, prolonged, and often draining—more intense than ordinary work. The term carries a respectful, slightly formal tone and is frequently used to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifice behind significant achievements.

辛劳 commonly appears in contexts praising workers, farmers, parents, teachers, or caregivers—especially when highlighting long hours, physical strain, or emotional investment. It is rarely used for light or routine tasks. Unlike colloquial terms like 累 (lèi, 'tired'), 辛劳 is not an adjective and cannot describe a person’s current state ('He is 辛劳')—it refers to the labor itself, not the person. It often pairs with verbs like 付出 (fùchū, 'to devote'), 承担 (chéngdān, 'to shoulder'), or 致敬 (zhìjìng, 'to honor').