惮劳 is a classical and literary Chinese verb meaning 'to dread hardship' or 'to shrink from toil.' The character 惮 (dàn) conveys fear, reluctance, or aversion, while 劳 (láo) means 'hard work,' 'toil,' or 'trouble.' Together, they form a compact, formal expression describing an emotional resistance to effort or difficulty — not mere laziness, but a psychological hesitation rooted in apprehension about strain or suffering.

This term appears frequently in classical texts, formal writing, and moral exhortations, especially when praising perseverance or criticizing weakness of will. It carries a slightly negative or evaluative tone, often implying a lack of resilience or virtue. While rarely used in casual speech, it remains recognizable to educated native speakers and appears in idioms, essays, and historical narratives emphasizing diligence and fortitude.