trials and tribulations; hardships and struggles
A somewhat formal or literary term for enduring various difficulties and adversities. Often used in set phrases or solemn contexts.
He achieved success after many trials and tribulations.
Hardships and struggles are a part of life.
苦労 is a common word for 'hardship' or 'toil', while 艱難苦労 is a more emphatic, literary compound emphasizing multiple adversities.
艱難 alone means 'hardships' or 'difficulties', but is less common and often appears in compounds like 艱難辛苦 or 艱難苦労.
A yojijukugo (four-character compound) combining 艱難 (hardships) and 苦労 (toil, troubles). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it follows a common pattern of pairing synonymous terms for emphasis.