Definition
苦行僧 literally means 'ascetic monk' — a practitioner who endures physical hardship as spiritual discipline (like fasting or exposure). In modern Chinese, it's used as a metaphor for anyone who lives an extremely frugal, self-denying lifestyle by choice, whether for religious, ideological, or practical reasons (e.g. saving money, training, or protest). The word carries a tone of respect or mild sympathy, not mockery.
n.
ascetic monk (religious practitioner who practices self-denial)(figurative) someone who lives a very frugal or self-denying lifestyle
Examples
- 苦行僧，。Zhège héshang shì yí wèi zhēnzhèng de kǔ háng, měitiān dōu zhǐ chī yí dùn fàn.This monk is a true ascetic monk, eating only one meal a day.
- ，著苦行僧。Wèile shěng qián, tā guò zhe kǔ háng yíyàng de shēnghuó.To save money, he lives like an ascetic monk.
- ，苦行僧。Yùndòngyuán wèile bǐsài, jiǎnzhí chéng le kǔ háng.The athlete practically became an ascetic monk for the competition.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.