Jianku refers to situations that are arduous, demanding significant effort and involving difficult conditions.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes conditions that are difficult and require great effort.
- Implies hardship, struggle, and challenging circumstances.
- Often used for life, work, study, and harsh environments.
Overview
“艰苦” (jiān kǔ) 是一个汉语中常用的形容词，意为“困难”、“费力”、“不易”。它通常用来描述环境、条件、生活、工作或学习等方面的挑战性。这个词语带有强烈的负面色彩，但同时也暗示着一种克服困难、坚持不懈的精神。
“艰苦”主要用来修饰名词，表示该事物具有困难、费力的特点。它可以单独使用，也可以与其他词语组合使用，构成更丰富的表达。例如，可以形容“艰苦的生活”、“艰苦的条件”、“艰苦的奋斗”、“艰苦的训练”等。
精神状态：有时也用来形容人的意志品质，如“艰苦奋斗的精神”。
“不易”是一个相对中性的词，表示事情不容易做到，强调的是“不容易”的性质，不如“艰苦”那样带有强烈的费力、劳累感。
“困难”是一个更普遍的词，指事情的阻碍或不易之处。“艰苦”则更侧重于过程中的费力、劳累和条件差，比“困难”程度更深。
“艰难”与“艰苦”非常接近，都表示困难、不易。“艰难”更偏重于事情的曲折和复杂性，而“艰苦”更侧重于过程的劳累和条件差。
Examples
在边疆地区，生活条件十分艰苦。
everydayLife in the border regions is very arduous.
他经历了多年的艰苦奋斗，才取得了今天的成就。
formalHe achieved today's success after many years of arduous struggle.
这支队伍在艰苦的环境下训练，意志非常坚定。
neutralThis team trained in harsh conditions and has strong willpower.
该研究项目面临着技术上的艰苦挑战。
academicThe research project faces arduous technical challenges.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
生活艰苦
Hard life
条件艰苦
Arduous conditions
艰苦奋斗
Arduous struggle
Often Confused With
'Kun nan' is a general term for difficulty. 'Jian ku' specifically implies hardship, strenuous effort, and often poor conditions, suggesting a deeper level of challenge.
'Jian nan' is very similar to 'jian ku' and also means difficult or hard. It often emphasizes the complexity and twists of a situation, while 'jian ku' leans more towards the physical toil and harshness of the conditions.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This adjective is typically used to describe objective conditions or experiences rather than subjective feelings. It carries a sense of seriousness and often implies a need for perseverance. It is commonly found in narratives about overcoming adversity or in descriptions of challenging environments.
Common Mistakes
Learners might overuse 'jian ku' for everyday minor difficulties. It's important to reserve it for situations that genuinely involve significant effort, hardship, or poor conditions. Ensure it modifies nouns related to life, work, environment, or struggle.
Tips
Emphasize Effort and Difficulty
Use 'jianku' when describing situations that are not just challenging, but also physically or mentally taxing.
Avoid Overuse in Simple Situations
Do not use 'jianku' for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for genuinely arduous circumstances.
Resilience and Hardship
In Chinese culture, enduring hardship ('chi ku') is often seen as a virtue, building character and resilience.
Word Origin
The character '艰' (jiān) originally depicted a difficult mountain path, symbolizing hardship. '苦' (kǔ) means bitter or suffering. Together, they vividly represent arduous and bitter struggles.
Cultural Context
The concept of enduring hardship ('chi ku' - 吃苦) is highly valued in Chinese culture, often seen as a necessary path to success and character development. Stories of historical figures or everyday people overcoming 'jian ku' conditions are common.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'jian' (jian) - a sharp, difficult object - making your 'ku' (bitter) experience even harder. The combination signifies arduous hardship.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“困难”是一个更宽泛的概念，指任何阻碍或不易之处。“艰苦”则更具体，强调的是过程中的劳累、费力以及环境条件的差，程度通常比“困难”更深。
通常不直接用来形容人，而是用来形容人的生活、工作、学习或经历。但可以形容人具有“艰苦奋斗”的精神品质。
常用于描述恶劣的自然环境、贫困的生活条件、繁重的工作任务、严酷的训练过程等需要付出巨大努力的场景。
虽然“艰苦”描述的是困难的境况，但有时也带有褒义，用来赞扬人们在逆境中不屈不挠、努力奋斗的精神。
Test Yourself
他们过着非常______的生活，但依然保持着乐观。
句意描述的是生活条件差、需要付出努力，因此“艰苦”最符合语境。
下列哪个词语最能表达“艰苦”的意思？
“费力”强调了付出努力和辛苦，与“艰苦”的核心意思相符。
请将以下词语组成一个通顺的句子：艰苦、训练、士兵
这个句子结构完整，逻辑清晰，准确地使用了“艰苦”来形容训练的难度。
Score: /3
Summary
Jianku refers to situations that are arduous, demanding significant effort and involving difficult conditions.
- Describes conditions that are difficult and require great effort.
- Implies hardship, struggle, and challenging circumstances.
- Often used for life, work, study, and harsh environments.
Emphasize Effort and Difficulty
Use 'jianku' when describing situations that are not just challenging, but also physically or mentally taxing.
Avoid Overuse in Simple Situations
Do not use 'jianku' for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for genuinely arduous circumstances.
Resilience and Hardship
In Chinese culture, enduring hardship ('chi ku') is often seen as a virtue, building character and resilience.
Examples
4 of 4在边疆地区，生活条件十分艰苦。
Life in the border regions is very arduous.
他经历了多年的艰苦奋斗，才取得了今天的成就。
He achieved today's success after many years of arduous struggle.
这支队伍在艰苦的环境下训练，意志非常坚定。
This team trained in harsh conditions and has strong willpower.
该研究项目面临着技术上的艰苦挑战。
The research project faces arduous technical challenges.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
一点儿
A1a little, a bit
一会儿
A1a moment, a while
一部分
B1part; portion; minority
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
