苦難(くなん)

くなん
noun
hardship; suffering; adversity
1. hardship; suffering; adversity
hardship; suffering; adversity
多(おお)くの苦難(くなん)を乗(の)り越(こ)えてきた。
I have overcome many hardships.
苦難(くなん)の時代(じだい)を生(い)き抜(ぬ)いた人々(ひとびと)の話(はなし)を聞(き)いた。
I listened to the stories of people who lived through times of adversity.
苦難(くなん)に立(た)ち向(む)かう勇気(ゆうき)を持(も)つことが人(ひと)を成長(せいちょう)させる。
Having the courage to face adversity helps a person grow.

A somewhat literary word for serious suffering or difficult circumstances. Composed of 苦(く) (suffering) and 難(なん) (difficulty). Carries a weightier tone than casual words for difficulty, often used to describe prolonged or significant challenges that test character.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 苦難(くなん)を乗(の)り越(こ)える: overcome hardship
  • 苦難(くなん)に立(た)ち向(む)かう: face adversity
  • 苦難(くなん)の道(みち): a path of hardship
  • 苦難(くなん)に耐(た)える: endure hardship

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 困難(こんなん): difficulty — more neutral, used for problems and obstacles in general
  • 苦労(くろう): hardship, trouble — more everyday, often includes personal effort
  • 試練(しれん): trial, ordeal — emphasizes the testing or challenging aspect
general
Added 2026.4.24 23:26
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