苦 (kǔ)

苦 describes a bitter taste, as found in certain vegetables, medicines, or coffee. It is also widely used figuratively to mean hardship, suffering, or a difficult life.

Meanings

adjective bitter (having an unpleasant sharp taste; also difficult, painful, or hard in figurative use)

Example Sentences

这种草药很苦，但对身体有益。 Zhè zhǒng cǎoyào hěn kǔ, dàn duì shēntǐ yǒuyì. This herbal medicine is very bitter, but it is good for your health.

他苦笑了一下，没有说话。 Tā kǔ xiào le yīxià, méiyǒu shuōhuà. He gave a bitter smile and said nothing.

生活再苦也要坚持下去。 Shēnghuó zài kǔ yě yào jiānchí xiàqù. No matter how bitter life is, you must keep going.

黑咖啡的味道很苦，但我喜欢。 Hēi kāfēi de wèidào hěn kǔ, dàn wǒ xǐhuān. Black coffee tastes very bitter, but I like it.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
苦味 (kǔ wèi)	bitter taste
吃苦 (chī kǔ)	endure hardship
苦恼 (kǔnǎo)	troubled, distressed
苦中作乐 (kǔ zhōng zuò lè)	find joy in hardship

Usage Notes

苦 has both a literal and a deeply figurative dimension in Chinese. 吃苦 (to eat bitterness) is a common expression meaning to endure hardship, and the concept of 吃苦耐劳 (enduring hardship and hard work) is a cultural value. This dual meaning makes 苦 one of the most expressive single-character words in Chinese.

Memory Hook

The character 苦 has the grass radical 艹 on top and 古 (gǔ, old/ancient) below — think of old, dried herbs that have turned bitter over time.