苦渋する · noun or participle which takes 'suru'
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 苦渋する | 苦渋しない |
| Polite | 苦渋します | 苦渋しません |
| Past polite | 苦渋しました | 苦渋しませんでした |
| Past | 苦渋した | 苦渋しなかった |
| Te-form | 苦渋して | 苦渋しないで |
| Desire | 苦渋したい | 苦渋したくない |
| Potential | 苦渋できる | 苦渋できない |
| Passive | 苦渋される | 苦渋されない |
| Causative | 苦渋させる | 苦渋させない |
| Causative passive | 苦渋させられる | 苦渋させられない |
| Volitional | 苦渋しよう | |
| Polite volitional | 苦渋しましょう | |
| Imperative | 苦渋しろ | 苦渋するな |
| Conditional | 苦渋すれば | 苦渋しなければ |
| Tara conditional | 苦渋したら | 苦渋しなかったら |
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Refers to deep mental or emotional suffering, often used in formal or literary contexts. Can be used as a noun, with する to mean 'to suffer anguish', or as a no-adjective.
彼は苦渋の表情を浮かべた。
He wore a look of anguish.
その決断は苦渋の末に下された。
The decision was made after much anguish.
bitterness and astringency
Rare, literal use referring to a bitter and astringent taste, as in certain teas or foods. Not commonly used in everyday conversation; the metaphorical sense is far more frequent.
このお茶は苦渋が強く、後味に渋みが残る。
This tea has a strong bitterness and astringency, leaving a puckery aftertaste.
He tasted the bitterness of defeat.
He nodded with an anguished expression.
I was forced into a painful choice.
苦渋 describes a bitter, conflicted feeling often tied to a difficult decision, while 苦痛 refers directly to pain or suffering itself.