苦尽甘来(苦盡甘來)
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 & perseverance.
Also searched as: ku jin gan lai, ku jin gan lai,苦尽甘来 meaning, 苦尽甘来 in english
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.
When to Use
Situation: After years of struggle, success finally arrived.
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
匠心独运
jiàng xīn dú yùn
Apply creative genius; show ingenuity
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独具匠心
dú jù jiàng xīn
Show great ingenuity; have original design
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别具一格
bié jù yī gé
Have unique style; be distinctive
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独树一帜
dú shù yī zhì
Be unique; have distinctive style
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独占鳌头
dú zhàn áo tóu
Come first; win top honors
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出神入化
chū shén rù huà
Reach supernatural skill level
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功成身退
gōng chéng shēn tuì
Retire after achieving success
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功成名就
gōng chéng míng jiù
Achieve success and fame
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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 theSuccess & Perseverance category..
When is 苦尽甘来 used?
Situation: After years of struggle, success finally arrived.
What is the pinyin for 苦尽甘来?
The pinyin pronunciation for 苦尽甘来 is “kǔ jìn gān lái”.
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