苦楽(くらく)

苦楽(くらく) combines 苦(く) (pain, suffering) and 楽(らく) (pleasure, ease) to represent the full range of life experiences. It is a somewhat literary compound often used in reflective or philosophical contexts.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

• 苦楽(くらく)を共(とも)にする: to share joys and sorrows (together)
• 苦楽(くらく)を分(わ)かち合(あ)う: to share in each other's hardships and joys
• 苦楽(くらく)を経験(けいけん)する: to experience both hardship and joy
• 苦楽(くらく)を味(あじ)わう: to taste both suffering and pleasure

USAGE:
Typically used when speaking about life in broad terms or about bonds forged through shared experiences. The phrase 苦楽(くらく)を共(とも)にする is especially common for describing close relationships such as married couples, teammates, or lifelong friends.

RELATED WORDS:

• 苦(くる)しみ: suffering, pain (focuses on the negative side)
• 喜(よろこ)び: joy, delight (focuses on the positive side)