劳而无功 láo ér wú gōng

to toil to no avail

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 59782nd word

Definitions

  1. 1. to toil to no avail
  2. 2. to work hard while accomplishing little

Characters

Character Meaning
劳 láo HSK 5
labor; to toil; to put sb to trouble (of doing sth)
而 ér HSK 3
and; but (not); (indicates contrast)
无 wú HSK 4
not; no; not to have
功 gōng HSK 4
meritorious deed or service; achievement; accomplishment