Definition

Adjective: - Harsh; austere: Describes a way of life, appearance, or manner that is severely simple, without comfort or luxury, often involving self-denial and endurance of hardship. - Stern; severe: Can describe a facial expression or demeanor that appears stern, grim, or marked by suffering and self-discipline.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ông ấy sống một cuộc đời khắc khổ trong tu viện. (He lives an austere life in the monastery.)
  • Sau chiến tranh, người dân phải sống khắc khổ nhiều năm. (After the war, the people had to live a harsh life for many years.)
  • Nhìn vẻ mặt khắc khổ của anh ta, tôi biết có chuyện không ổn. (Looking at his stern face, I knew something was wrong.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a connotation of voluntary acceptance or endurance of hardship, particularly for moral, spiritual, or philosophical reasons, rather than just describing involuntary poverty.

Variants and Related Words

• Khổ hạnh (adj/n): Ascetic; asceticism. Often used in religious or spiritual contexts for extreme self-discipline.
  • Các nhà sư tu theo lối khổ hạnh. (The monks practice in an ascetic way.)

Synonyms

• Austere: Severely simple or strict.
• Spartan: Marked by simplicity, frugality, or avoidance of comfort.
• Ascetic: Characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from indulgence.
• Strict: Demanding rigorous standards.

Related Idioms

• Sống đời khắc khổ: To live an austere/hard life.
  • Vì muốn tiết kiệm, họ chọn sống đời khắc khổ. (Because they wanted to save money, they chose to live an austere life.)

adj

1. harsh; austere
   • sống khắc khổ
     to live a hard life