to admonish earnestly; to taste bitter
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesadverb
earnestly and tirelessly; with good intentions despite causing displeasure
formalOften used to describe well-meaning advice that is given repeatedly and sincerely, even if it is hard to accept. Almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase "苦口婆心" and similar constructions.
Péng朋
you友
kǔ苦
kǒu口
xiāng相
quàn劝
，
tā他
hái还
shì是
bù不
tīng听
。
Despite his friend's earnest advice, he still wouldn't listen.
Lǎo老
shī师
kǔ苦
kǒu口
pó婆
xīn心
de地
jiào教
dǎo导
xué学
sheng生
。
The teacher taught the students with great patience and earnestness.
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Fù父
mǔ母
de的
quàn劝
gào告
cháng常
cháng常
shì是
kǔ苦
kǒu口
de的
liáng良
yào药
。
Parental advice is often a bitter-tasting but effective medicine.
verb
to have a bitter taste; to taste bitter
Used literally for substances that taste bitter. Often appears in the proverb "良药苦口利于病".
Zhè这
yào药
suī虽
rán然
kǔ苦
kǒu口
，
dàn但
hěn很
yǒu有
xiào效
。
Although this medicine tastes bitter, it's very effective.
Liáng良
yào药
kǔ苦
kǒu口
lì利
yú于
bìng病
，
zhōng忠
yán言
nì逆
ěr耳
lì利
yú于
xíng行
。
Good medicine tastes bitter but cures illness; honest advice is hard to hear but guides conduct.
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Huáng黄
lián连
rù入
yào药
，
fēi非
cháng常
kǔ苦
kǒu口
。
When used as medicine, coptis chinensis has a very bitter taste.