1.
person who has experienced hardship; self-made person
Someone who has gone through significant difficulties and hardships in life. Often carries a positive nuance of resilience and maturity gained through struggle.
彼は苦労人だから人の痛みがわかる。
Since he's been through a lot, he understands other people's pain.
社長は若い頃苦労した苦労人だ。
The company president is someone who went through a lot of hardship when young.
苦労人らしく、どんな困難にも動じない落ち着きがある。
As befits someone who has been through hardship, they have a composure that is unfazed by any difficulty.
USAGE:
Generally used with a positive or sympathetic nuance, expressing respect for someone who has endured difficulties. It implies that the person has gained wisdom, empathy, or strength through their experiences.
WORD FORMATION:
苦労 (hardship) + 人 (person). Compare with similar 〜人 compounds like 商売人 (merchant) and 努力家 (hard worker).
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 努力家: hard worker (focuses on effort, not hardship)
- 叩き上げ: self-made person (emphasizes rising from the bottom)