Meaning and Usage
"苦心" literally combines "bitter" and "heart," conveying the idea of putting in painstaking effort or careful, diligent work. It is often used to describe situations where someone has devoted significant time and energy to achieve a goal or complete a task.
Common Contexts
This word frequently appears in contexts related to study, creative work, preparation, or problem-solving where effort and perseverance are emphasized.
Collocations and Patterns
- 苦心研究 (kǔxīn yánjiū): painstaking research or study
- 苦心创作 (kǔxīn chuàngzuò): painstaking creation or artistic work
- 苦心准备 (kǔxīn zhǔnbèi): careful preparation
These collocations highlight the intense effort and care invested in an activity.
Nuance and Register
"苦心" carries a formal or literary tone and is often used in written or formal spoken Chinese. It emphasizes the difficulty and dedication involved, more so than just "努力" (effort).
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "苦心" with "苦恼" (kǔnǎo), which means distress or worry. "苦心" focuses on effort and diligence, not emotional suffering.