English：
A cornerstone of Chinese work ethic: "eat bitterness" or "endure hardship." It describes the ability to withstand difficult conditions, work hard without complaint, and persevere through challenges. Chinese employers value "eat bitter" spirit more than almost any other quality.
中文：
中国工作伦理的基石："吃苦"或"忍受艰难"。它描述了忍受困难条件、毫无怨言地努力工作、坚持不懈的能力。中国雇主对"吃苦"精神的重视几乎超过任何其他品质。
The concept of "吃苦" (chī kǔ, literally "eat bitter") is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, derived from the proverb "吃得苦中苦，方为人上人" (only by eating the bitterest bitterness can you become the best of people). It's the Chinese equivalent of "no pain, no gain" but with more endurance and suffering implied. Chinese parents teach "eat bitter" to children from a young age, and it's the most praised quality in Chinese workplace culture.
中文："吃苦"的概念深深植根于中国文化，源自谚语"吃得苦中苦，方为人上人"。相当于"no pain, no gain"但隐含了更多的忍耐和苦难。中国父母从小就教孩子"吃苦"，它是中国职场文化中最受称赞的品质。
📌 Example 1
Job interview:
"Are you willing to work overtime?"
"Yes, I can eat bitter. I'm not afraid of hard work."
求职面试：
"你愿意加班吗？"
"可以，我能吃苦。我不怕努力工作。"
📌 Example 2
Boss praising an employee:
"He stayed until midnight to finish the project."
"Good! That's the eat bitter spirit!"
老板表扬员工：
"他为了完成项目工作到半夜。"
"好！这就是吃苦精神！"
📌 Example 3
Advice to a younger colleague:
"This job is too tough. I want to quit."
"Eat bitter for a few years. It will pay off."
给年轻同事的建议：
"这工作太难了。我想辞职。"
"先吃几年苦。会有回报的。"
📌 Example 4
Parent scolding child:
"You don't study hard enough!"
"You need to learn to eat bitter. Nothing comes easy."
父母训斥孩子：
"你不够努力学习！"
"你要学会吃苦。没有什么是容易的。"
📌 Example 5
Caption on a workout post:
"5am training. Rain or shine."
"Eat bitter now, enjoy sweet later."
健身帖配文：
"凌晨五点训练。风雨无阻。"
"现在吃苦，以后享福。"
📌 Example 6
Startup founder:
"I haven't taken a day off in months."
"Eating bitter every day. But it will be worth it."
创业老板：
"我几个月没休息一天了。"
"每天都在吃苦。但这一切是值得的。"
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