1.
hardship, trouble, suffering
Difficulty or suffering endured through life's challenges.
苦労して成功した。
I succeeded through hardship.
子育ての苦労
The difficulties of raising children.
親の苦労が分かるようになった。
I've come to understand my parents' hardships.
2.
effort, pains, labor
The effort put into achieving something.
お苦労さまでした。
Thank you for your hard work.
[Note: Polite expression of appreciation]
苦労をかけてすみません。
I'm sorry to cause you trouble.
長年の苦労が報われて、やっと自分の店を開くことができた。
My years of hard work were rewarded, and I was finally able to open my own shop.
苦労 expresses hardship and effort.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 苦労する (to have difficulty, to struggle)
- 苦労をかける (to cause trouble for someone)
- 苦労が絶えない (hardships never end)
- 苦労が報われる (efforts are rewarded)
SET EXPRESSIONS:
- お苦労さま(です) (thank you for your effort)
- 苦労人/苦労性 (someone who has known hardship)
- 苦労話 (tales of hardship)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 苦労: hardship (often life difficulties)
- 努力: effort (more positive, self-motivated)
- 苦しむ: to suffer (verb)
Related Words
Related:
努力 (effort)