苦难

• Pinyin: kǔ nàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 苦 = bitter; 难 = 又 (again) + 隹 (bird) — difficulty

Meaning

Suffering; hardship; tribulation. Deep, prolonged misery or distress.

A more literary and profound term than simple 苦. Often used to describe collective or historical suffering, personal ordeals, or philosophical reflections on human condition. Common in literature and serious discourse.

Examples

1. 战争给人民带来了深重的苦难。 War brought profound suffering to the people.
2. 经历过苦难的人往往更懂得珍惜生活。 Those who have experienced hardship often better appreciate life.
3. 她的一生充满了苦难，但她从未放弃希望。 Her life was full of suffering, but she never gave up hope.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, history, philosophy

Tone: solemn

Do Say

• 苦难磨练了他的意志。(Suffering tempered his will.)
• 不要忘记过去的苦难。(Don't forget the suffering of the past.)

Don't Say

• 用苦难形容小困难，如'考试的苦难'。(Don't use 苦难 for minor difficulties — it's for serious, prolonged suffering; use 困难 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 苦 (bitter/suffering) + 难 (difficulty/hardship). Together expressing intense suffering.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal