苦 境(くきょう)

くきょう

noun

difficult situation; predicament; adversity

1. difficult situation; predicament; adversity; hardship

A situation of serious difficulty or suffering, often with no easy way out. Used for financial, personal, or organizational troubles.

苦境(くきょう)に立(た)たされる。

To be placed in a difficult situation.

会社(かいしゃ)は経営(けいえい)の苦境(くきょう)を乗(の)り越(こ)えた。

The company overcame its financial difficulties.

長引(ながび)く不況(ふきょう)で多(おお)くの中小企業(ちゅうしょうきぎょう)が苦境(くきょう)に陥(おちい)っている。

Many small and medium-sized businesses are falling into difficult circumstances due to the prolonged recession.

A situation of hardship or adversity. Composed of 苦(く) (suffering/hardship) + 境(きょう) (situation/circumstances). Often used in news and business contexts.

Common collocations

苦境(くきょう)に立(た)つ: to find oneself in a difficult position
苦境(くきょう)に立(た)たされる: to be placed in a predicament
苦境(くきょう)に陥(おちい)る: to fall into adversity
苦境(くきょう)を乗(の)り越(こ)える: to overcome adversity
苦境(くきょう)を脱(だっ)する: to escape from a difficult situation
苦境(くきょう)に追(お)い込(こ)まれる: to be driven into a corner

Similar words

窮地(きゅうち): desperate situation, predicament — more urgent and critical than 苦境(くきょう)
逆境(ぎゃっきょう): adversity — similar meaning but emphasizes unfavorable conditions one must fight against
困難(こんなん): difficulty, hardship — more general; can be used as a な-adjective
ピンチ: pinch, crisis — casual/colloquial equivalent

Related Words

Compare: 窮地(きゅうち) (desperate situation, predicament)

Compare: 逆境(ぎゃっきょう) (adversity)

Compare: 困難(こんなん) (difficulty, hardship)

Compare: ピンチ (pinch, crisis)

Compare: 難局(なんきょく) (difficult situation)

general

Added 2026.3.28 21:57 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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