Meaning:

    “苦” means “misery,” and “逼” means to “put pressure on.” Originally this term appeared in Buddhist scriptures, meaning “sorrows” or “being left with no choices.” Now a popular term used by Chinese netizens to complain about the miseries and pressures in life, it is often used to mock oneself.

    Example:

    A: 好久不见了，你最近过得怎么样？

    Hǎojǐu bùjiàn le, nǐ zuìjìn guò de zěnmeyàng?

    Long time no see. How are things doing now?

    B: 苦逼啊。

    Kǔbī a。

    Miserable indeed.

    A: 有的人因为爱情不能超越空间、时间、性别而苦逼。有的人心系普罗大众而苦逼。你为什么？

    Yǒu de rén yīnwèi àiqíng bùnéng chāoyuè kōngjiān、shíjiān、xìngbié ér kǔbī。Yǒu de rén xīnxì pǔluó dàzhòng ér kǔbī。Nǐ wèishénme?

    Some people feel miserable because their love cannot overcome physical distance, gap in age or sexual orientation. Others feel miserable because they are concerned about the miseries of the common folks. What’s your reason?

    B: 我失业在家，根本没想过会有女生看上我，这还不够苦逼吗？

    Wǒ shīyè zài jiā, gēnběn méi xiǎngguò huì yǒu nǚshēng kànshàng wǒ, zhè hái bùgòu kǔbī ma?

    I am jobless, and it has never occured to me that any girl may fall for me. Isn’t that miserable enough?