清苦

qīngkǔ
  1. destitute but honest
  2. poor and simple
  3. spartan
  4. austere

CEDICT

  1. (especially of scholars and intellectuals) destitute; poor; badly off
  2. destitute; poor; badly off

Wiktionary

  1. 清寒貧苦。《初刻拍案驚奇．卷二十》：「官人向來清苦，今得此美任，此後只愁富貴不愁貧了。」也作「清貧」。
  2. 窮困而不失節。《儒林外史．第四十七回》：「他父親太守公是個清官，當初在任上時，　過些清苦日子。」也作「清貧」。

重編國語辭典

Entry Composition

1 清 qīng
  1. (of water etc) clear; clean
  2. quiet; still
  3. pure; uncorrupted
  4. clear; distinct
  5. to clear; to settle (accounts)
2 苦 kǔ
  1. bitter
  2. hardship
  3. pain
  4. to suffer
  5. to bring suffering to
  6. painstakingly

Related entries

拙樸 zhuōpǔ
  1. austere
  2. humble
肅殺 sùshā
  1. austere
  2. stern
  3. harsh
  4. somber and desolate (autumn or winter)
凜 lǐn
  1. cold
  2. to shiver with cold
  3. to tremble with fear
  4. afraid
  5. apprehensive
  6. strict
  7. stern
  8. severe
  9. austere
  10. awe-inspiring
  11. imposing
  12. majestic