'Nú lì' literally combines 奴 (nú), meaning 'servant' or 'subordinate', and 隶 (lì), an ancient term for 'subordinate official' or 'bound person'. Together, they form a formal, historical noun meaning 'slave' — a person owned by another and deprived of personal freedom and legal rights. The word carries strong connotations of coercion, exploitation, and systemic oppression.

In modern Chinese, 'nú lì' is used almost exclusively in historical, literary, or academic contexts — such as discussions of ancient societies, colonialism, or abolition movements. It rarely appears in everyday speech to describe contemporary labor situations; using it loosely (e.g., for overworked employees) is considered hyperbolic and inappropriate. The term is neutral in grammatical gender but inherently carries moral gravity and historical weight.