苦い

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. この薬はとても苦いです。▶ —
   This medicine is very bitter.
2. 苦い経験から多くのことを学びました。▶ —
   I learned a lot from a bitter experience.

Collocations

Mnemonic

苦い nigai — from 苦 (bitter, suffering): the grass radical 艸 over 古 (old), an old herb bitter on the tongue. The literal taste sense extends to figurative use: 苦い経験 (a bitter experience), 苦い顔 (a sour, displeased face). Its on-yomi ku appears in 苦労 (kurou, hardship). An i-adjective.

Quick check

1. What expression is 苦い顔をする?

   • a sour, displeased look
   • a big smile
   • a sleepy look
   • a surprised look