Meaning and Usage
"苦労" (くろう) refers to hardships, difficulties, or troubles someone experiences, often related to work, life challenges, or personal efforts. It is a noun commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
Common Collocations
- 苦労する: to suffer hardship or to struggle
- 苦労をかける: to cause someone hardship
- 苦労が報われる: hardships are rewarded
Nuances
When using "苦労," speakers often imply that the difficulties endured are significant but can lead to growth or success. It can express sympathy or respect for someone's efforts.
Register and Politeness
"苦労" is neutral and can be used in polite or casual speech depending on the sentence structure.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "苦労" with "苦しい" (くるしい), which is an adjective meaning "painful" or "difficult." Remember that "苦労" is a noun referring to the experience of hardship, not the feeling itself.