苦 · kǔ · bitter
Learn the Chinese character 苦 with its source-linked HSK 4 status, pronunciation, one concise learning meaning, stroke order, real HSK words, and published learning contexts.
Writing guide
How to use the writing tool
- 1. WatchSee the stroke order for 苦.
- 2. TraceFollow the guided strokes to build the movement.
- 3. WriteWrite from memory and receive feedback.
HSK vocabulary
Words with 苦
Source-linked HSK vocabulary records that contain 苦.
Linked HSK vocabulary
- 苦kǔbitter
- 辛苦xīnkǔexhausting
- 艰苦jiānkǔdifficult
- 酸甜苦辣suān-tián-kǔ-làlit. sour, sweet, bitter and spicy (idiom)
- 痛苦tòngkǔpain
- 吃苦chīkǔto bear hardships
- 愁眉苦脸chóuméi-kǔliǎnto look anxious (idiom)
- 何苦hékǔwhy bother?
- 刻苦kèkǔhardworking
- 苦尽甘来kǔjìn-gānláibitterness finishes, sweetness begins (idiom)
- 苦难kǔnànsuffering
- 苦恼kǔnǎovexed
- 苦涩kǔsèbitter and astringent
- 苦笑kǔxiàoto force a smile
- 苦心kǔxīnpainstaking effort
- 埋头苦干máitóu-kǔgànto bury oneself in work (idiom)
- 受苦shòukǔto suffer hardship
- 诉苦sùkǔto grumble
- 挖苦wākuto speak sarcastically
Real usage
Example sentences with 苦
Published HSK 4 course contexts only. Each sentence links back to the lesson that owns it.
No accepted HSK 4 course context containing 苦 is indexed yet. This page does not generate example sentences.
Character questions
About 苦
Short answers based on the sources identified on this page.
What does 苦 mean in Chinese?
苦 is listed here with the concise learning meaning: bitter.
How do you pronounce 苦?
苦 is shown as kǔ.
Is 苦 an HSK 4 character?
Yes. 苦 is HSK 4 recognition character #175.
Can I practise writing 苦?
Yes. Use Watch, Trace, or Write above.
Learning details
- HSK 4 recognition
- HSK 4 handwriting practice
- 19 linked HSK words
- Audio available
Content transparency
Sources and editorial policy
- HSK placement: HSK 4 recognition character #175.
- Writing scope: HSK 4 handwriting practice.
- Meaning and pronunciation: CC-CEDICT and linked HSK vocabulary data, shown as supplemental learning metadata.
- Vocabulary: source-linked HSK vocabulary records, each linked to its published HSK vocabulary page.
- Example sentences: published course contexts only; this page does not generate new example sentences.
- Stroke-order practice: HanziWriter character data. This is a source-linked learning reference, not an official HSK publication.