囏 (jiān) - Jian — ancient form of 艱 (jiān), meaning & hardship

囏Tone 1

jiān ｜ 23 strokes ｜ radical:

嘉健

囏 · jiān

Jian — ancient form of 艱 (jiān), meaning difficult, hard, arduous;

hardship;

suffering.

Jian — ancient form of 艱 (jiān), meaninghardshipsuffering.

Usage highlights

Hardship and sufferingDifficult and arduousHardship and toilExtreme difficultyHardship and danger

Synonyms

  • 艱— difficult, hard
  • 難— difficult, hard
  • 苦— bitter, hardship

Antonyms

  • 易— easy
  • 樂— happy, joyful
  • 安— peaceful, comfortable

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He endured great hardship (囏苦).
  • The task was extremely difficult (囏難).
  • They faced arduous conditions (囏辛).

Collocations

  • Hardship and suffering(囏苦)
  • Difficult and arduous(囏難)
  • Hardship and toil(囏辛)
  • Extreme difficulty(囏巨)
  • Hardship and danger(囏險)

Idioms

  • Endure hardship and toil(備嘗囏苦)
  • Overcome difficulties and dangers(歷盡囏險)
  • Go through all kinds of hardships(飽經囏辛)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 囏 is an ancient variant of 艱, appearing in classical texts and oracle bone inscriptions.
  • The character structure combines 堇 (difficulty) with 喜 (joy), possibly suggesting joy emerging from hardship.
  • It reflects the traditional Chinese cultural value of persevering through difficulties.

FAQ