Japanese word

苦難

Pronunciation

Romajikunan

Meaning

  • nounhardship

Example

私たちは多くの苦難を乗り越えました。watashi ta chi wa ō ku no ku nan o no ri ko e ma shi ta

We overcame many hardships.

Illustration for 苦難 (hardship)

More examples

長い旅の途中で、私たちは苦難に直面しました。naga i tabi no to chū de watashi ta chi wa ku nan ni choku men shi ma shi ta

We faced hardship during our long journey.

Core concept

Describes a difficult period in which suffering and obstacles must be endured or overcome.

Common phrases

  • 苦難を乗り越えるku nan o no ri ko e ru

    overcome hardship

  • 苦難に耐えるku nan ni ta e ru

    endure hardship

  • 苦難に直面するku nan ni choku men su ru

    face hardship

Similar words

困難konnan: A difficult condition or problem that requires effort to overcome.
苦境kukyō: A painful and difficult situation in which a person or group struggles to live or act.
試練shiren: A difficult experience that tests a person's strength, ability, or character.
難儀nangi: A troublesome and difficult situation that causes hardship or requires considerable effort.

Definition in Japanese

耐え忍んだり乗り越えたりする必要がある、つらく厳しい体験や状況。ta e shino n da ri no ri ko e ta ri su ru hitsu yō ga a ru tsu ra ku kibi shi i tai ken ya jō kyō

Word origin

苦 (ku, "suffering") is combined with 難 (nan, "difficulty") in a Sino-Japanese compound meaning severe hardship.

Usage tips

  • 苦難 (kunan) commonly appears in formal writing about people or groups enduring a difficult period, so it sounds stronger than a minor problem.

Other meanings

  • sufferingnoun
  • trialnoun

Opposites

  • 安楽anrakucomfortnoun

Word lists with this word