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laogai

noun lao·gai \ ˈlau̇-ˈgī \

Definition of laogai

plural laogai
: the penal system of China consisting of a network of labor camps; also : such a labor camp

Origin and Etymology of laogai

Chinese (Beijing) láogǎi reform through labor, short for láodòng gǎizào, from láodòng work, labor + gǎizào transform, reform

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