‘徭役’ (yáo yì) is a historical Chinese term referring to compulsory, unpaid labor imposed by the state on common people—often for infrastructure projects like building roads, canals, or city walls, or for military support. The character ‘徭’ (yáo) originally meant ‘forced service’ or ‘labor tax,’ while ‘役’ (yì) means ‘service,’ ‘duty,’ or ‘assignment.’ Together, they denote a specific form of state-mandated labor distinct from regular taxation or military conscription.

This term was especially prominent during imperial dynasties such as the Qin, Han, and Ming, where it contributed significantly to major construction efforts—but also caused widespread hardship and peasant unrest. Today, ‘徭役’ appears almost exclusively in historical texts, academic discussions, or literature set in pre-modern China. It carries strong connotations of oppression and social inequality, and is never used to describe modern civic duties or volunteer work.