The word 艰苦 is formed by combining two characters that each convey a distinct aspect of hardship, merging into a single, intensified concept. 艰 (jiān) carries the sense of difficulty, adversity, and challenging circumstances, often external or situational. 苦 (kǔ) embodies the sensation of bitterness, suffering, and toil, focusing on the internal, experiential quality. When fused, they create a holistic portrait of enduring difficulty, where the outer state of adversity (艰) is inextricably linked with the inner feeling of strain and struggle (苦), together representing a profound and persistent condition of hardship.