努

Phono-semantic compound:

力 (“strength, force”) — semantic element, indicating exertion.

奴 (slave, servant) — phonetic element.

The character thus depicts applying one’s strength with effort, leading to the sense of striving and laboring.

努 (노) — to exert effort

努力 (노력) — effort, endeavor

努目 (노목) — to glare, stare fiercely

努氣 (노기) — anger, rage (lit. “exerted energy”)

勉努 (면노) — to strive diligently

Frequently confused with 勞 (로/노, to work, toil), but the two have distinct meanings and usages

努 is always read “노,” while 勞 is originally “로,” sometimes shifting to “노” under the Korean initial sound law (두음법칙).