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JLPT N46画 · 6 strokesradical 心grade 3freq #1500

suffer, pain, bitter

On'yomi (音読み)

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • くる.しい
  • くる.しむ
  • にが.い

Mnemonic

As the heavy 'nine' weights press down on my heart, I can feel the bitter pain of suffering.

About this kanji

The kanji 苦 means to suffer or experience pain, and it can also refer to something bitter. It is commonly used as both a noun and a verb, making it quite versatile in the language. For example, 苦手 (にがて) means a weak point, often referring to something one struggles with. 苦情 (くじょう) translates to a complaint, highlighting dissatisfaction. The adjective 苦しい (くるしい) describes something painful, whether physically or emotionally. When used in daily conversation, this kanji can express not just discomfort but also difficulties one may face, such as in health or relationships, making it an important term for sharing personal experiences.

Built from

Example sentences

  • 彼の話は苦いです。

    His story is bitter.

Meanings across languages

English
suffer, pain, bitter
Tiếng Việt
khổ, đau khổ, đắng
日本語
苦しむ, 苦痛, 苦い
한국어
고통받다, 아픔, 쓴
中文
痛苦, 痛, 苦涩
id
menderita, sakit, pahit
th
ทรมาน, ความเจ็บปวด, ขม
es
sufrir, dolor, amargo
fr
souffrir, douleur, amer
de
leiden, Schmerz, bitter
pt
sofrer, dor, amargo

Common compounds

  • 苦手にがてweak point, weakness
  • 苦情くじょうcomplaint
  • 苦しいくるしいpainful, difficult
  • 苦さにがさbitterness

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