fu2 gip3苦澀苦涩
Jyutpingfu2 gip3
Yalefú gip
Definition
Bitter and astringent in taste, or describing something that is difficult and painful.
- bitter and astringent in taste
- figurativedifficult, painful, or agonizing
neutralfoodemotion
How it's used
Beyond describing literal taste, this term is frequently used metaphorically to characterize life experiences or memories that are emotionally painful. It carries a sense of lingering unpleasantness that is hard to shake off. Unlike simple words for bitter, it specifically captures the combined sensation of bitterness and the dry, puckering feeling caused by tannins.
Examples
This tea tastes very bitter and astringent, add some sugar.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 苦, which strictly refers to bitterness. Using 苦澀 to describe a simple bitter medicine might sound slightly overly dramatic or literary, as it implies an additional layer of astringency or emotional complexity.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
