Translation guide
The English word "hardships" refers to difficult conditions, suffering, or adversity. In Japanese, there are several ways to express this concept, ranging from general terms for difficulty to more specific words for trials, struggles, and endurance. The choice depends on the nuance: whether you mean general life difficulties, emotional suffering, physical hardship, or the act of enduring.
To refer to hardships in a broad sense, such as difficulties one faces in life, work, or personal circumstances.
A common word for hardship, toil, or trouble. It often implies effort and struggle over a period of time. Can be used for both physical and emotional difficulties.
He experienced many hardships when he was young.
Hardships never cease.
Means difficulty or hardship, often used in more formal or written contexts. It emphasizes the challenging nature of a situation.
They overcame many hardships.
Refers to suffering, affliction, or tribulation. Often used in serious or dramatic contexts, such as historical or personal crises.
To survive times of hardship.
To express hardships that are primarily emotional, such as grief, distress, or mental anguish.
Pain, suffering, or anguish. This word focuses on the subjective experience of hardship, whether physical or emotional.
His suffering is deep.
Worries, troubles, or distress. Often used for personal problems or anxieties that cause emotional hardship.
To describe hardships related to physical environment, such as poverty, harsh weather, or strenuous labor.
A common phrase meaning 'hard life' or 'life of hardship', often referring to poverty or difficult living conditions.
They are living a life of hardship.
Harsh or severe circumstances. Used for extreme physical conditions, such as in disaster zones or intense labor.
To work under harsh conditions.
To express the act of enduring, persevering through, or overcoming hardships.
To overcome hardships. A natural phrase combining 苦労 (hardship) with 乗り越える (to overcome).
He succeeded after overcoming many hardships.
To endure, bear, or withstand. Often used with words like 苦難 (hardship) or 苦しみ (suffering).
To overcome difficulties. A more formal phrase, often used in written or motivational contexts.
To refer to hardships that are seen as tests of character or necessary challenges.
Trial, test, or ordeal. Implies that the hardship is a test of one's strength or character, often with a positive or growth-oriented nuance.
To overcome life's trials.
Ascetic practice or penance. Refers to voluntary hardship for spiritual or religious purposes. Not for everyday use.
苦労 (kurō) is the most common and versatile word for everyday hardships, often implying effort and toil. 困難 (konnan) is more formal and focuses on the difficulty of a situation. 苦難 (kunan) is heavier, often used for severe suffering or tribulations in dramatic contexts.
Japanese does not typically mark plurals. Words like 苦労 or 困難 can refer to both singular and plural hardships depending on context. Do not try to force a plural form.
To share hardships.
悩みを打ち明ける。
To confide one's hardships.
To endure hardships.
They overcame hardships and achieved their goal.
The monk endured hardships as ascetic practice.