Meaning and Usage
The verb '고생하다' means to endure hardship, suffer, or go through difficult experiences. It often implies physical or emotional effort that is unpleasant but necessary. It is commonly used to acknowledge someone's hard work or struggles.
Common Contexts
You will hear '고생하다' in everyday conversations when talking about work, studies, or any challenging situation. It can express sympathy or appreciation for someone's effort.
Politeness and Register
'고생하다' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When addressing someone respectfully, you might say '고생 많으셨어요' to acknowledge their effort politely.
Common Collocations
- 고생하다 + 고생 많으셨어요: to express sympathy or thanks for someone's hard work
- 고생 끝에: after hardship
- 고생시키다: to cause someone to suffer or have a hard time
Learner Tips
A common mistake is to confuse '고생하다' with simply '힘들다' (to be difficult/tiring). '고생하다' emphasizes the process of enduring hardship, often with a sense of effort and perseverance, while '힘들다' focuses more on the feeling of difficulty or tiredness itself.