苦口婆心

kǔkǒu-póxīn

idiom #50,822

Meanings

1 patient, earnest persuasion
2 to advise with well-meaning persistence
3 harsh-sounding words from a caring heart

Characters

bitter; painstaking

old woman; grandmother

Examples

HSK 3

父母的苦口婆心，他终于听进去了。

Fùmǔ de kǔkǒu-póxīn, tā zhōngyú tīng jìnqù le.

He finally took his parents' patient, heartfelt counsel to heart.

HSK 5

老师苦口婆心地劝他好好学习。

Lǎoshī kǔkǒu-póxīn de quàn tā hǎohǎo xuéxí.

The teacher patiently and earnestly urged him to study properly.

Tips

history

Two strands: 《宋史·赵普传》 on bitter-but-loyal counsel (忠言苦口), and 《景德传灯录》 using 老婆心 ('grandmotherly heart') for a master's nagging compassion. Combined: words that may sting, given out of grandmotherly care.

Stroke Order

苦 kǔ

口 kǒu

婆 pó

心 xīn