HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #2947, Medium
苦
kǔ
hardship
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #2947, Medium
苦
kǔ
pain
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #2947, Medium
苦
kǔ
to suffer
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #2947, Medium
苦
kǔ
to bring suffering to
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #2947, Medium
苦
kǔ
painstakingly
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #2947, Medium
苦
kǔ
bitter; hardship, suffering
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #2947, Medium
kǔ(ku3) T3
1bitter
2hardship
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
苦kǔ(ku3)
The character 苦 (kǔ) primarily means 'bitter,' often used to describe the taste of certain foods or the sensation of pain and suffering. It can also refer to hardships or difficulties in life, making it applicable in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as expressing emotional distress or challenging experiences.
Strokes8Radical艹Frequency#2947DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 苦 is often associated with the idea of enduring hardship as a path to growth and success. The expression '吃苦' (chī kǔ) reflects the value placed on resilience and perseverance through difficult times.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person tasting a bitter herb and grimacing in pain. The character 苦 resembles a plant (the radical '艹' on top) that brings a bitter experience, reminding you of the word 'kǔ' and its associations with suffering and hardship.
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 苦
Quick Contrast
苦 (kǔ) vs 难 (nán) — use 苦 for 'bitter' or emotional suffering, while 难 refers specifically to 'difficult' or 'hard' situations.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person tasting a bitter herb and grimacing in pain. The character 苦 resembles a plant (the radical '艹' on top) that brings a bitter experience, reminding you of the word 'kǔ' and its associations with suffering and hardship.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 苦 (kǔ), as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It's commonly used in phrases like '吃苦' (chī kǔ, to endure hardship) and in emotional contexts, so it’s versatile in both formal and informal settings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 苦 connects well with other words describing emotions and experiences, such as 快乐 (kuàilè, happy) and 难过 (nánguò, sad). Focus on using it in various contexts to express different aspects of suffering and hardship.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 苦 is often associated with the idea of enduring hardship as a path to growth and success. The expression '吃苦' (chī kǔ) reflects the value placed on resilience and perseverance through difficult times.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 苦 (kǔ) with 口 (kǒu), which refers to 'mouth.' For example, saying '我喜欢苦' (Wǒ xǐhuān kǔ) to mean 'I like it bitter' can sound awkward without context; specifying what is bitter provides clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 苦
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 苦 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 苦 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 苦
苦 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
McGuire took a long swig from his bottle of bitter lemon.
7
经过这么多苦难之后，他应该行点好运了。
jīng guò zhè mó duō kǔ nán zhī hòu， ， tā yīng gāi háng diǎn hǎo yùn。
He does deserve some good luck after so much wretchedness.
8
我儿子遭受了巨大痛苦，他失去了最要好的朋友。
wǒ ér zǐ zāo shòu le jù dà tòng kǔ， ， tā shī qù le zuì yào hǎo de péng。
My son has suffered terribly. He has lost his best friend.
9
他发现这次旅行非常艰苦。
tā fā xiàn zhè cì lǚ háng fēi cháng jiān kǔ。
He found the rigours of the tour too demanding.
10
公司在降低成本方面付出了艰苦卓绝的努力。
gōng sī zài jiàng dī chéng běn fāng miàn fù chū le jiān kǔ zhuó jué de nǔ lì。
The company has made heroic efforts at cost reduction.
Cultural Notes for 苦
💡Did you know?
In traditional Chinese medicine, bitter flavors are believed to help clear heat and toxins from the body. Foods like bitter melon are often used for their health benefits.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 苦 is often associated with the idea of enduring hardship as a path to growth and success. The expression '吃苦' (chī kǔ) reflects the value placed on resilience and perseverance through difficult times.
📜Proverb
The proverb '苦口良药' (bitter medicine) means that harsh advice or criticism can be beneficial, similar to how bitter medicine can cure ailments.
In Chinese culture, 苦 (kǔ) is often associated with the idea that enduring hardship can lead to personal growth and strength. It's commonly referenced in sayings and proverbs that emphasize resilience and the value of overcoming difficulties. This concept reflects a broader philosophy that values perseverance through struggles.
Some synonyms for 苦 (kǔ) include 难受 (nánshòu), which means 'uncomfortable' or 'hard to bear,' and 痛苦 (tòngkǔ), which means 'pain' or 'suffering.' These words can be used in different contexts to express similar feelings of discomfort or hardship.
苦 (kǔ) means 'bitter' in Chinese, and it can also refer to hardship or pain. It is used to describe both physical sensations, such as the taste of bitter food, and emotional experiences, such as suffering. Additionally, it can imply the effort put into achieving something, often through difficult circumstances.
You can use 苦 (kǔ) in a sentence to express a bitter taste or an experience of suffering. For example, '这咖啡太苦了' (Zhè kāfēi tài kǔle) means 'This coffee is too bitter.' Additionally, you can say '他过得很苦' (Tā guò dé hěn kǔ) which means 'He is having a hard time.'
You can say '我觉得这个药很苦' (Wǒ juédé zhège yào hěn kǔ), meaning 'I find this medicine very bitter.'
No, 苦 can also describe emotional pain or hardship, such as in '经历苦难' (jīnglì kǔnàn), meaning 'to experience suffering.'
Common phrases include '吃苦' (chī kǔ, to endure hardship) and '苦涩' (kǔsè, bitter and astringent).
