Definition
艰难险阻 is a fixed four-character idiom meaning 'difficulties and obstacles'. It is used to describe various hardships and dangers encountered on a journey, in a career, or in life. Unlike a simple literal reading of its components, the phrase has a literary feel and often appears in formal or motivational contexts to emphasize the scale and variety of challenges. You can use it with verbs like 克服 (to overcome) or 面对 (to face).
f.e.
difficulties and obstacleshardships and dangers
Examples
- ，艰难险阻。Zài chuàngyè de dàolù shàng, wǒmen yùdào le wúshù jiān nán xiǎn zǔ.On the path of entrepreneurship, we encountered countless difficulties and obstacles.
- 艰难险阻，。Zhǐyǒu kèfú yíqiè jiān nán xiǎn zǔ, cáinéng shíxiàn mèngxiǎng.Only by overcoming all difficulties and obstacles can we realize our dreams.
- 艰难险阻。Zhè běn shū jiǎngshù le Chángzhēng zhōng de jiān nán xiǎn zǔ.This book recounts the hardships and obstacles during the Long March.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.