When to use hardship in Korean

When to use it

고생 means hardship, trouble, or hard work. You use it when someone has a difficult or tiring time doing something. In daily Korean, people also say “고생했어요” to mean “You worked hard” or “That was tough.”

Example sentences

1. 오늘 이사하느라 정말 고생했어요.

   I really had a hard time moving today.

2. 시험 준비하느라 고생이 많았어요.

   I had a hard time preparing for the exam.

3. 비 오는 날 밖에서 일해서 고생했어요.

   It was hard because I worked outside on a rainy day.

4. 오래 기다리게 해서 고생시켜서 미안해요.

   I’m sorry for making you wait and causing you trouble.

5. 시장까지 걸어가서 장보기가 좀 고생이었어요.

   Walking to the market made shopping a bit hard.

6. 여행 중에 길을 잃어서 고생했어요.

   I had a hard time because I got lost during the trip.