労る

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 労る is read as いたわる and means to comfort someone or care for a person or body under strain.
• Basic usage: It can describe consoling a dejected colleague or taking care of one’s own health.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Comforting a person
  • 労った: The speaker gently comforts a colleague dejected after failure. Example: 失敗して落ち込む仲間を優しく労った。
• Caring for oneself
  • 労る: Taking care of one’s body is especially important when busy. Example: 忙しい時ほど自分の体を労ることが大切だ。