苦尽甘来
苦尽甘来 (kǔ jìn gān lái) literally means “bitterness ends sweetness comes” and expresses “after hardship comes happiness”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ku jin gan lai, ku jin gan lai,苦尽甘来 meaning, 苦尽甘来 in english
After hardship comes happiness
Pronunciation: kǔ jìn gān lái
Literal meaning: Bitterness ends sweetness comes
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes bitterness (苦) ending (尽) and sweetness (甘) arriving (来). It offers hope that suffering is temporary and will be followed by better times. The phrase appeared in texts encouraging perseverance through hardship. It reflects the cyclical Chinese understanding of fortune where extremes eventually reverse. Modern usage consoles those in difficulty with the promise that persistence will eventually be rewarded with success or happiness.
Examples
English: "After years of struggle, success finally arrived."
Chinese: 经过多年奋斗，终于苦尽甘来。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 苦尽甘来 mean in English?
苦尽甘来 (kǔ jìn gān lái) literally translates to “Bitterness ends sweetness comes” and is used to express “After hardship comes happiness”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 苦尽甘来 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving after hardship comes happiness.
What is the pinyin for 苦尽甘来?
The pinyin pronunciation for 苦尽甘来 is “kǔ jìn gān lái”.