Japanese word

苦心

Pronunciation

Romajikushin

Meaning

  • nouneffort

Example

この作品は、作者の苦心の結果です。ko no saku hin wa saku sha no ku shin no kek ka de su

This work is the result of the author's effort.

Illustration for 苦心 (effort)

More examples

長年の苦心が、ようやく実を結びました。naga nen no ku shin ga yō ya ku jitsu o musu bi ma shi ta

Years of effort finally paid off.

Core concept

Describes painstaking effort that continues despite difficulty and care for the final result.

Common phrases

  • 苦心の末ku shin no sue

    after much effort

  • 苦心を重ねるku shin o kasa ne ru

    make repeated efforts

  • 苦心の跡ku shin no ato

    signs of painstaking work

Similar words

努力doryoku: Work done steadily and deliberately to achieve a goal.
苦労kurō: Difficulty and hardship experienced while trying to achieve something.
尽力jinryoku: Serious effort devoted to achieving a particular purpose.

Definition in Japanese

困難に耐えながら物事を成し遂げようと努力すること。kon nan ni ta e na ga ra mono goto o na shi to ge yō to do ryoku su ru ko to

Word origin

苦 (ku, "hardship") and 心 (shin, "mind") combine in 苦心 (kushin) to express effort involving hardship and care.

Usage tips

  • 苦心 (kushin) often highlights the unseen work behind a finished creation, especially in writing, research, and design.

Other meanings

  • painsnoun

Related words

  • 苦心するkushinsurumake an effortverb

Word lists with this word