noun
four-fold hardship; quadruple whammy
Used for a situation where four serious difficulties occur at the same time. Modeled on 二重苦 (double hardship) and 三重苦 (triple hardship).
See also: 二重苦
病気、失業、借金、家族の問題が重なって、まさに四重苦だ。
With illness, unemployment, debt, and family problems all at once, it's truly a quadruple whammy.
三重苦 means triple hardship, one step below 四重苦.
Compound of 四 (four), 重 (fold, layer), and 苦 (suffering). The pattern follows 二重苦 and 三重苦.