kǔ苦bitterjìn尽endgān甘sweetlái来come
After suffering comes happiness; sweet comes after bitterness.
Literal meaning
bitter (苦) — end (尽) — sweet (甘) — come (来)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing how good times follow bad.
Examples
Jīng经guò过duō多nián年de的nǔ努lì力，tā他zhōng终yú于kǔ苦jìng尽ān甘lái来。
After years of hard work, he finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
Xiāng相xìn信yī一qiè切dōu都huì会hǎo好qǐ起lái来，kǔ苦jìng尽ān甘lái来。
Believe that everything will be alright, and good times will come after the bad.
Usage & nuances
Expresses the idea that perseverance will eventually lead to success and happiness.
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