Definition
吃苦头 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to suffer' or 'to get a bitter taste of something' — usually as a result of one's own actions, mistakes, or inexperience. You can split it to insert time, quantity, or degree: e.g., 吃了不少苦头 ('suffered quite a bit'). The 苦头 part can also be modified: 吃大苦头 ('suffer greatly'). It often appears in advice or warnings about avoiding hard lessons.
v.o.
to suffer (the bitter consequences of something, often self-inflicted)
Examples
- ，吃苦头。Tā yīnwèi bù tīng quàngào, chī le bù shǎo chī kǔ tou.He suffered quite a bit because he wouldn't listen to advice.
- 吃苦头，？Nǐ yǐqián chī guò shénme chī kǔ tou, xiànzài cái zhème xiǎoxīn?What bitter experience did you have before that makes you so cautious now?
- ，。Qiān wàn bié zǒu jiéjìng, bùrán zǎowǎn yào chī dà kǔtou.Never take shortcuts, or you'll suffer for it sooner or later.
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