苦

suffering, trial, worry, hardship, feel bitter, scowl

Readings

On'yomi (音読み)

ク

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

-ぐる.しいくる.しいくる.しむくる.しめるにが.いにが.る

Stroke Order

8 / 8

Information

Grade:3

Strokes:8

JLPT:N3

Frequency:623

Vocabulary

ク

Word	Reading	Meaning
苦境	クキョウ	difficult situation; adverse circumstances; predicament; trouble; dilemma; distress
苦言	クゲン	candid advice; frank advice; honest opinion; exhortation; harsh but honest advice
苦渋	クジュウ	bitterness; distress; pain; anguish; affliction; bitterness and astringency
苦情	クジョウ	complaint; troubles; objection; grievance
苦心	クシン	pains; hard work; effort; trouble; labour; labor

Other

Word	Reading	Meaning
ご苦労様	ごくろうさま	thank you (for your hard work); I appreciate your efforts
ご苦労さま	ごくろーさま	thank you (for your hard work); I appreciate your efforts
苦い	にがい	bitter
苦しい	くるしい	painful; difficult; tough; hard; distressing; (psychologically) difficult; stressful; awkward (e.g. position); straitened (circumstances); tight (financial situation); needy; struggling; strained (interpretation, explanation, etc.); lame (e.g. excuse); forced (e.g. smile); far-fetched; hard to do; unpleasant
苦しみ	くるしみ	pain; anguish; distress; suffering; hardship

Visually Similar Kanji

These kanji are easily confused due to similar shapes

young, if, perhaps, possibly, low number, immature

good luck, joy, congratulations

fasten, tie up, arrest, constrict

wither, die, dry up, be seasoned

cultivate, foster

bud, sprout, spear, germ

tongue, reed, clapper

revelation, tell, inform, announce

reside, to be, exist, live with