hán含holdxīn辛bitterrú茹eatkǔ苦suffering
Hold the bitter and swallow the suffering — endure hardship (especially for one's children).
Literal meaning
hold (含) — bitter (辛) — eat (茹) — suffering (苦)
Origin
A traditional four-character phrase often applied to parents, especially mothers, who endure great hardship to raise their children. The image of 含 (holding in the mouth) and 茹 (eating) intensifies the experience of bitterness — suffering you don't even let out.
Examples
Mǔ母qīn亲hán含xīn辛rú茹kǔ苦bǎ把hái孩zi子yǎng养dà大。
His mother endured every hardship to raise him.
Hán含xīn辛rú茹kǔ苦de的fù父mǔ母zhí值dé得zūn尊jìng敬。
Parents who endure hardship for their children deserve respect.
Usage & nuances
Emotional, often used about parents or caretakers. Common in Mother's/Father's Day writing.
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