苦労

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 苦労 is read くろう and means hardship or difficulty experienced while doing something.
• Basic usage: Use a phrase such as 部屋を探すのに苦労する to say what is difficult, or use it to discuss past hardships.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Effort versus hardship
  • 努力 focuses on working toward a goal; 苦労 focuses on the difficulties and burdens experienced along the way.