How to Write 劬 (qú) — Meaning “Toil; hard work”

Imagine a person working so hard (力) that they can only speak in short, exhausted sentences (句). This pairing of a tired voice with physical effort helps link the shape to the meaning of toil.

Write the left component 句 first, with the enclosure then the inner 口, using 5 strokes. Then add 力 on the right, starting with a horizontal hook and a left stroke; make sure the 力 is slightly wider than the 句 to keep the character balanced. A common mistake is making the 句 too large, which makes the whole character uneven.

劬 emphasizes hardship and toil, often used for parents' hard work. 功 (gōng) means achievement or merit, using 工 (work) with 力 to focus on results. 加 (jiā) means to add or increase, using 力 with 口, and does not carry the sense of suffering or effort.

劬 is not a common daily character and is mainly found in formal or literary contexts, especially in the word 劬劳 to describe parents' tireless efforts. It appears in classical texts and respectful writings, but is rarely used in casual conversation.

Common words containing 劬 include: 劬劳 (qú láo) — Toil; hard work (often referring to parents); 劬苦 (qú kǔ) — Hardship; toil; 劳劬 (láo qú) — Toil; hard work.