The Vietnamese word "cần lao" can be understood in a couple of ways, primarily as an adjective and a noun.
Adjective: "cần lao" means "hard-working" or "toiling." It describes someone who puts in a lot of effort and labor in their work or life.
Noun: As a noun, "cần lao" refers to the "labouring classes," which includes workers and peasants who perform manual labor or work in various industries.
While "cần lao" primarily refers to hard work and the working class, it can also imply sacrifice and the challenges faced by those who labor, especially in socio-economic discussions.