Definition
坎坷 describes a rough, bumpy road or, more commonly, a life or career full of hardships and setbacks. It is the only word among the siblings that applies to both literal terrain and figurative life struggles. 崎岖 (qí qū) is used only for rugged terrain, not for life experiences.
adjective
(of a road) bumpyrugged(of life, career) roughfull of hardships and frustrations
Examples
- 坎坷，。Nà tiáo xiǎo lù fēicháng kǎn kě, kāichē yào xiǎoxīn.That path is very bumpy; be careful when driving.
- 坎坷，。Tā de yìshēng suīrán kǎn kě, dàn tā cóngwèi fàngqì mèngxiǎng.Although his life was full of hardships, he never gave up his dreams.
- 坎坷，。Jīnglì le zhème duō kǎn kě, tā yīrán bǎochí zhe wēixiào.Having gone through so many hardships, she still keeps a smile.
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