苦杯・苦盃|くはいkuhai[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounbitter cup; bitter experience; bitter defeat; ordeal

• Related試練しれんNeutralHardship that tests one's faith or resolve; the emphasis is on being tested, while 「苦杯」 stresses the bitter taste of defeat or suffering.
• Related辛苦しんくWrittenA written, formal word for toil and hardship; it stresses suffering itself, not the bitter experience of defeat that 「苦杯」 highlights.
• Related苦難くなんNeutralSuffering and tribulation in a broader sense; 「苦杯」 narrows the focus to bitter experiences such as defeat.
• Related難儀なんぎNeutralHardship or trouble; the tone is somewhat old-fashioned, and it lacks 「苦杯」's focus on the bitter taste of defeat or painful experience.
• Antonym快勝かいしょうNeutralA resounding, satisfying victory; the antonym of 「苦杯」, which is about tasting the bitterness of defeat.
• Antonym完勝かんしょうNeutralA complete, total victory; stands opposite 「苦杯」 in the sense of suffering a defeat.

Use 「苦杯」 for tasting defeat or a bitter experience, as in 「苦杯をなめる」「苦杯を喫する」. For tests of faith or will choose 「試練」, for suffering in general 「苦難」; 「完勝」「快勝」 are the opposite—decisive victories.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 苦にがい酒さけがつがれた杯さかずき。
2. 転てんじてつらい経験けいけん。