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HSK
7-9
苦涩

bitter and astringent

[t]

Character Composition

Characters

Pinyin

ku3se4 • kǔsè

Meaning

Primary

bitter and astringent

Mnemonic

Something 苦涩 bitter and astringent tastes both 苦 bitter and 涩 astringent.

Usage

这 杯 没 加 糖 的 咖啡 喝 起来 有点 苦涩。

This coffee without sugar tastes a little bitter and astringent.

没 熟 的 柿子 味道 苦涩。

Unripe persimmons taste bitter and astringent.

这 碗 中药 喝 起来 很 苦涩。

This bowl of Chinese herbal medicine tastes very bitter and astringent.