苦

JLPT N3

Bitter, painful

Readings

On’yomi: ク (ku)

Kun’yomi: くる(しい) ,
くる(しむ),
くる(しめる), にが(い) ,
にが(る) (kuru(shii), kuru(shimu), kuru(shimeru), niga(i), niga(ru))

• くる(しい) – painful, difficult • くる(しむ) – to suffer, to be in pain • くる(しめる) – to torment, to cause pain • にが(い) – bitter • にが(る) – to taste bitter

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

苦しい

くるしい

painful

苦労

くろう

hardship

苦手

にがて

poor at

苦痛

くつう

pain

苦笑

くしょう

wry smile

Example Sentences

息が苦しいです。

いきがくるしいです。

Breathing is painful.

苦労します。

くろうします。

I struggle.

数学が苦手です。

すうがくがにがてです。

I am bad at math.

苦痛を感じます。

くつうをかんじます。

I feel pain.

苦笑します。

くしょうします。

I give a wry smile.

Cultural Note

🎎 苦 reflects the Buddhist concept of “苦 (く)” — the first of the Four Noble Truths, meaning suffering or dissatisfaction (dukkha).
• It symbolizes the unavoidable hardships of life — pain, aging, loss — and the importance of acceptance and enlightenment.
• In Japanese culture, “苦労 (くろう)” and “努力 (どりょく)” are seen as honorable paths to growth.
• Phrases like 「苦あれば楽あり」(くあればらくあり – “After hardship comes ease”) reflect a deeply rooted cultural belief that enduring苦 (suffering) leads to 成長 (growth) and 成功 (success).