苦恼

• Pinyin: kǔ nǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 苦 = bitter; 恼 = 忄(heart) + 惱 — vexed

Meaning

Troubled; distressed; worried. A state of mental anguish or vexation.

Describes psychological distress caused by problems, dilemmas, or frustrations. Less severe than 痛苦 (pain) but more intense than 烦恼 (annoyance). Often used when someone is stuck on a problem.

Examples

1. 最近工作的事情让他非常苦恼。 Work matters have been troubling him a lot lately.
2. 她为减肥的事苦恼了很久。 She was distressed about losing weight for a long time.
3. 孩子的教育问题一直是他苦恼的根源。 Their child's education has always been a source of worry for him.

Usage Guide

Context: personal problems, daily life, emotional state

Tone: sympathetic

Do Say

• 你在为什么事苦恼？(What's troubling you?)
• 这件事让我很苦恼。(This matter has me very distressed.)

Don't Say

• 把苦恼当动词用，如'他苦恼着'。(苦恼 is primarily an adjective/noun in modern usage — say 他很苦恼 or 他在为...苦恼)

Origin & History

Compound of 苦 (bitter) + 恼 (vexed/annoyed). Together expressing bitter vexation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal