Definition
吃苦 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to bear hardships', often used to describe voluntarily enduring difficulty as a necessary condition for success. Unlike 受苦 (shòu kǔ), which emphasizes passive suffering, 吃苦 implies active, purposeful endurance. 辛苦 (xīn kǔ) describes a tiring state or polite thanks, not the act of bearing hardship.
verb
to bear hardshipsto endure suffering
Examples
- 吃苦。Niánqīng rén yīnggāi xuéhuì chī kǔ.Young people should learn to bear hardships.
- 。Tā xiǎoshíhou chī le bù shǎo kǔ.He endured a lot of hardship when he was young.
- 吃苦。Zhǐyǒu chī kǔ cáinéng chénggōng.Only by enduring hardships can one succeed.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.