苦笑 kǔxiào to force a smile
to force a smile; a bitter laugh
How to remember 苦笑: 苦 bitter + 笑 laugh = to force a smile.
Characters
How it is used
- A wry / bitter smile - smiling through hardship or awkwardness - 他苦笑着摇了摇头 (tā kǔxiào zhe yáo le yáo tóu) he shook his head with a rueful smile.
- A smile that masks pain, helplessness, or resignation, not happiness.
- Both verb and noun; often 苦笑一声 (give a bitter laugh).