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辛酸 (xīn suān) — bitter, heartbreaking, sad and miserable (of life, memories, emotions); pungent and acrid (of taste; rare usage)

Definition

Literary adjective for deeply bittersweet hardship — life's struggles, memories, tears. Stronger and more written than 苦, more emotional than 悲惨 (which stresses a tragic event).

adjective
bitterheartbreakingsad and miserable (of life, memories, emotions)pungent and acrid (of taste; rare usage)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 辛酸。
    Tā hán zhe xīn suān de lèi shuǐ jiǎng shù le tóng nián de gù shi.
    He told childhood stories with bitter tears.
  • 辛酸。
    Zhè bù xiǎo shuō miáo xiě le yí gè jiā tíng xīn suān de mìng yùn.
    This novel depicts a family's bitter fate.
  • 辛酸，。
    Zhè zhǒng yào de wèi dào yǒu diǎn xīn suān, bú tài hǎo hē.
    This medicine tastes a bit pungent and sour, not very palatable.
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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