adjective

  1. slightly bitter (taste).
  2. bittersweet (memory, experience, etc.).

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
 
ほろ苦い ほろにがい
 
 
 
ホロ苦い ホロにがい

Contained Kanji Breakdown

suffering, trial, worry
ク くる.しい にが.い (3rd, N3)
grass, grass radical (no. 140)
old
コ ふる.い ふゆ (2nd, N4)
ten
ジュウ ジッ ジュッ (1st, N5)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)