試練(しれん)

しれん
noun
trial, ordeal, test
1. trial, ordeal, test, tribulation
A difficult experience or hardship that tests a person's character, abilities, or endurance. Implies that the difficulty serves as a means of growth or proving oneself.
これは大(おお)きな試練(しれん)だ。
This is a great trial.
試練(しれん)を乗(の)り越(こ)えて強(つよ)くなった。
I became stronger by overcoming the ordeal.
人生(じんせい)には様々(さまざま)な試練(しれん)が待(ま)ち受(う)けているが、それが人(ひと)を成長(せいちょう)させる。
Various trials await us in life, but they are what help us grow.

Usage

試練(しれん) implies that hardship has a purpose — testing and strengthening the person who endures it. It is more positive in connotation than 苦難(くなん) (suffering) or 困難(こんなん) (difficulty), as it suggests growth through adversity. Often used in motivational or reflective contexts.

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: 逆境(ぎゃっきょう) (adversity)
Compare: 苦難(くなん) (hardship)
general
Added 2026.2.28 10:54 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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