It describes enduring severe material deprivation or harsh external conditions through resilience.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes harsh environments or extremely poor living conditions.
- Implies a need for great perseverance and grit.
- Commonly used for historical struggles or demanding physical tasks.
Overview
- 1概览：‘艰苦’一词由‘艰’（困难）和‘苦’（痛苦、辛劳）组成，主要用于描述外部客观环境的恶劣和物质生活的贫乏。它不仅指肉体上的劳累，更侧重于对意志品质的考验。2) 用法模式：最常见的结构是‘艰苦的 + 名词’，如环境、生活、岁月、奋斗等。它也可以作为状语修饰动词，如‘艰苦地工作’。3) 常见语境：该词常出现在历史叙述、创业故事、科学研究以及对偏远贫困地区的描述中。在正式公文中，常用来强调克服困难的决心。4) 词义辨析：‘艰苦’与‘辛苦’不同，‘辛苦’侧重于个人劳作后的疲惫感，而‘艰苦’侧重于整体环境的恶劣；与‘艰难’相比，‘艰难’侧重于事情进展受阻、步履维艰，而‘艰苦’更强调生活水平的低下和条件的简陋。
Examples
他在偏远的山区过着艰苦的生活。
everydayHe lives an arduous life in a remote mountainous area.
我们要发扬艰苦奋斗的精神。
formalWe must carry forward the spirit of arduous struggle.
那阵子挺艰苦的，连饭都吃不饱。
informalThings were pretty tough back then; we didn't even have enough to eat.
极地考察队员在艰苦的环境中收集数据。
academicPolar researchers collect data in harsh environments.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
艰苦卓绝
extreme hardship and difficulty
历经艰苦
to go through many hardships
Often Confused With
'辛苦' (xīnkǔ) refers to the physical or mental exhaustion from work, while '艰苦' refers to the objective harshness of conditions.
'艰难' (jiānnán) emphasizes that a situation is difficult to get through or progress in, often used for situations or processes.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word is generally formal and literary. It is frequently used in historical contexts or to praise someone's resilience. In casual conversation, people might use '苦' or '累', but '艰苦' adds a layer of seriousness and scale.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using '艰苦' to describe a person's mood (e.g., saying 'I feel jianku' is wrong; use 'nanguo' or 'xinlao' instead). Another error is using it for a short-term difficulty that doesn't involve material hardship.
Tips
Focus on the External Environment
Use this word when you want to emphasize that the external conditions (weather, resources, money) are lacking.
Don't Use for Simple Tasks
Don't use '艰苦' for a simple homework assignment; save it for life-changing struggles or extreme expeditions.
The Spirit of Hard Struggle
In Chinese culture, '艰苦奋斗' (arduous struggle) is a highly respected virtue associated with nation-building.
Word Origin
'Jian' (艰) originally referred to the difficulty of childbirth or earthworks; 'Ku' (苦) originally meant a bitter herb. Combined, they represent the 'bitterness' of 'difficulty'.
Cultural Context
In China, '艰苦' is often linked to the Red Army's Long March or the early days of the PRC, representing a national virtue of overcoming poverty through sheer will.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Jian' as 'difficult' and 'Ku' as the taste of 'bitter melon'. Living in a 'Jianku' environment is like eating bitter melon every day while climbing a mountain.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions不可以。‘辛苦’通常指因工作量大而感到身体劳累，而‘艰苦’是指生存或工作环境本身非常恶劣。
通常不直接形容人的性格，但可以形容人的生活作风，如‘艰苦朴素’，指生活节俭、不追求享受。
不带贬义。它是一个中性词，但在很多语境下带有褒义，用以赞扬在困难面前不屈不挠的精神。
可以，但通常会用‘艰巨’来形容任务的规模大、难度高，而用‘艰苦’形容完成任务的过程充满磨难。
Test Yourself
尽管边疆的条件十分___，战士们依然坚守岗位。
‘边疆的条件’属于外部环境，应使用‘艰苦’。
找出正确的搭配：
‘艰苦的岁月’是固定搭配，指代一段充满磨难的时间。
生活 / 祖父 / 过着 / 艰苦的 / 曾经
标准的语序是：主语 + 时间状语 + 谓语 + 宾语。
Score: /3
Summary
It describes enduring severe material deprivation or harsh external conditions through resilience.
- Describes harsh environments or extremely poor living conditions.
- Implies a need for great perseverance and grit.
- Commonly used for historical struggles or demanding physical tasks.
Focus on the External Environment
Use this word when you want to emphasize that the external conditions (weather, resources, money) are lacking.
Don't Use for Simple Tasks
Don't use '艰苦' for a simple homework assignment; save it for life-changing struggles or extreme expeditions.
The Spirit of Hard Struggle
In Chinese culture, '艰苦奋斗' (arduous struggle) is a highly respected virtue associated with nation-building.
Examples
4 of 4他在偏远的山区过着艰苦的生活。
He lives an arduous life in a remote mountainous area.
我们要发扬艰苦奋斗的精神。
We must carry forward the spirit of arduous struggle.
那阵子挺艰苦的，连饭都吃不饱。
Things were pretty tough back then; we didn't even have enough to eat.
极地考察队员在艰苦的环境中收集数据。
Polar researchers collect data in harsh environments.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More work words
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
