kurou

Kurou, written as 苦労 in Japanese, is a noun and verb-related expression meaning hardship, trouble, or toil. It denotes the experience of enduring difficulties or exerting effort, rather than simply describing a situation as difficult. In everyday use, kurou often appears in phrases about one’s own or others’ labor and perseverance, and it can take various grammatical forms, such as 苦労する (to go through hardship), 苦労を重ねる (to endure many hardships), or 苦労話 (a tale of hardships).

Etymology and form: 苦労 is formed from two kanji: 苦 meaning suffering or pain, and 労 meaning labor or toil. The standard reading for the compound is くろう (kurou). Although it is written with Chinese characters, 苦労 is a native Japanese word that has long been used in literature and daily speech to describe the experience of sustained effort or hardship.

Usage and nuance: Kurou emphasizes the personal effort and endurance involved in overcoming obstacles. It contrasts with terms that focus more on the severity of a situation, like 大変 (taihen). Common collocations include 苦労する, 苦労を重ねる, 苦労をかける, and 苦労話. A related polite expression is ご苦労様, used by a superior to acknowledge someone’s labor, though its usage can carry social nuance and should be used appropriately.

See also: 労苦 and 労働 are related concepts, linking the ideas of effort, work, and hardship in broader Japanese usage. Examples of modern usage appear in literature, media, and everyday conversation, reflecting the cultural value placed on perseverance and diligence.