贫苦

貧苦

pínkǔ

adjective #31,778

Meanings

Tā chūshēn pínkǔ, cóng xiǎo jiù dǎgōng.

He came from a poor background and worked from childhood.

Císhàn jīgòu bāngzhù pínkǔ de jiātíng.

The charity helps poverty-stricken families.

Tā yí bèizi dōu zài wèi pínkǔ rén fāshēng.

He spent his whole life speaking up for the poor.

memory

贫 (poor) + 苦 (bitter / suffering). Stronger than 贫穷 (plain "poor") because it adds the element of hardship.

贫 pín

苦 kǔ