苦尽甘来

kǔ jìn gān lái

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Rare

Definitions

1. bitterness finishes, sweetness begins (idiom); the hard times are over, the good times just beginning

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

乐极生悲

lè jí shēng bēi

extreme joy turns to sorrow (idiom); Don't celebrate too soon, things could still go wrong!

苦尽甘来指苦转乐，乐极生悲指乐极转悲，方向相反

Synonyms

1 item

否极泰来

pǐ jí tài lái

extreme sorrow turns to joy (idiom)

都表示逆境达到极点后转为顺境，但否极泰来更正式

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Some learners incorrectly say 苦来甘尽 or reverse the order; the fixed idiom is 苦尽甘来.

Formality

Literary and idiomatic; used in storytelling, reflections, or formal encouragement rather than casual talk.

Example Sentences

1 shown

只要坚持努力，一定会苦尽甘来。

As long as you persist, you will eventually see the hard times end and the good times begin.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 苦尽甘来

to come

to the greatest extent

to use up

bitter

sweet