Meaning and Usage
"苦心" (くしん) refers to the effort, trouble, or painstaking care someone puts into accomplishing something difficult. It often implies a sense of struggling or working hard to overcome challenges.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used in formal or written Japanese to describe efforts in work, study, or creative activities. It highlights the seriousness and dedication behind the effort.
Collocations and Patterns
- 苦心する: to make an effort, to struggle
- 苦心の末（に）: after much effort
- 苦心して + verb: doing something with great effort
Nuances
Using "苦心" emphasizes the difficulty and care involved, more than just casual effort. It often suggests that the task was challenging and required thoughtful problem-solving.
Learner Tips
Don't confuse "苦心" with simple "努力" (どりょく), which means effort but is more general. "苦心" carries a nuance of careful, sometimes painstaking effort. Use it when you want to stress the difficulty and care involved in the effort.