苦く寒かん

noun

coldest time of the year; bitter suffering

Rare literary word. The primary meaning is the depth of winter's cold, but it can also metaphorically refer to severe hardship or suffering. Not used in everyday conversation.

• 苦く寒かんの候こう、皆みな様さまにはお変かわりなくお過すごしのことと存ぞんじます。

  In this season of bitter cold, I trust you are all doing well.

• この詩しには、人じん生せいの苦く寒かんがにじみ出でている。

  This poem is imbued with the bitter suffering of life.