The Chinese word 苦恼 (kǔnǎo), meaning "anguished", "distressed", or "tormented", is a synonym compound formed by combining two characters with closely related meanings to intensify and nuance the concept of mental suffering. The first character, 苦 (kǔ), primarily means "bitter" but extends metaphorically to "hardship" or "pain". The second character, 恼 (nǎo), carries the meaning of "annoyed", "vexed", or "frustrated". By fusing these two elements, the word 苦恼 encapsulates a profound state of emotional and psychological distress, where the "bitterness" of one's circumstances merges with the "frustration" of being unable to resolve them, creating a powerful expression for deep worry and affliction.