苦笑

kǔ xiào

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Rare

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Definitions

1. to force a smile
2. a bitter laugh

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 微笑 wēi xiào 微笑 wēi xiào smile 微笑 is a genuine, pleasant smile; 苦笑 is a bitter, forced one.: smile

Related words

2 items

• 哭 kū 哭 kū to cry; to weep Opposite of laughing; often paired in expressions like 哭笑不得 (not knowing whether to laugh or cry).: to cry; to weep
• 苦恼 kǔ nǎo 苦恼 kǔ nǎo vexed 苦恼 means 'distressed', the emotional state that might lead to a 苦笑.: vexed

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used with verbs like 露出 (to show) or 发出 (to let out), e.g., 露出苦笑 (show a bitter smile).

Common mistakes

Not to be confused with 假笑 (fake smile); 苦笑 implies genuine bitterness, not deception.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他无奈地 苦笑 了一下。

He gave a helpless bitter smile.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 苦笑

• 笑 笑 xiào: to laugh; to smile
• 苦 苦 kǔ: bitter