溫故知新 Old wisdom, today’s insight — ONGO
고진감래 苦盡甘來
After suffering and hardship come to an end, happiness and success will surely follow.
고진감래 (苦盡甘來) means "After suffering and hardship come to an end, happiness and success will surely follow.". This classic idiom is a piece of timeless wisdom rooted in the universal law that extremes eventuall
1 Meaning
고진감래 (苦盡甘來) means “After suffering and hardship come to an end, happiness and success will surely follow.”.
Gojingamrae (苦盡甘來) literally means 'when the bitterness is finished, the sweetness comes.' It serves as a hopeful reminder that enduring difficult times with perseverance will eventually lead to rewarding results.
2 Examples
A job seeker feels discouraged after receiving dozens of rejection letters and facing financial strain.
They use the feedback to refine their skills, practicing daily and attending workshops to improve their qualifications.
An aspiring athlete or musician wants to quit because the physical pain and lack of progress feel overwhelming.
They push through the muscle aches and the boredom of repetitive drills, staying consistent with their practice every single day.
An entrepreneur faces years of debt and low sales after launching a startup focused on quality over quick profit.
They refuse to compromise on their product's integrity, listening to customer feedback while maintaining their core vision.
A student sacrifices social life and endures intense loneliness to prepare for a high-stakes professional exam.
They transform their isolation and pressure into focus, sticking to a rigorous study schedule for months.
Which situation fits this idiom?
Pick the everyday scene where “고진감래” fits best.
3 Origin
4 Key Lessons
Current suffering is not a permanent state, but a necessary phase in the cycle of growth.
Patience and persistence are more than just endurance; they are vital investments in a better future.
The scars of failure act as a seasoning that makes the eventual taste of success even sweeter.
5 English Expression
English Vocabulary
bruise
멍, 타박상
"He had a small bruise on his knee after falling down."
carve
새기다, 깎아 만들다
"He used a knife to carve his name on the tree."
drown
물에 빠뜨리다, (소리 등이) 삼켜버리다
"The loud music started to drown out her voice."
fade away
서서히 사라지다
"The sound of the train began to fade away in the distance."
6 Learn with Music
Related Idioms
고진감래
Memorize idiom meanings and examples with various music genres
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