Definition
This is a four-character idiom (chengyu) literally meaning 'the bitterness is too great to be put into words'. It is used to describe extreme suffering or hardship that is so severe it cannot be expressed verbally. The phrase typically functions as a predicate or complement and is common in formal or literary contexts.
f.e.
to suffer unspeakable miseryindescribable hardship (idiom)
Examples
- 苦不堪言。Nà duàn shēnghuó zhēn shì kǔ bú.That period of life was truly unspeakably miserable.
- 苦不堪言，。Shīqù qīnrén de tòngkǔ kǔ bú, pángrén hěn nán tǐhuì.The pain of losing a loved one is indescribably bitter; others can hardly understand.
- 苦不堪言。Zhànzhēng dài lái de zāinàn ràng bǎixìng kǔ bú.The disasters brought by war made the common people suffer unspeakable misery.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.