- 坎坷不平 kǎnkěbùpíng potholed and bumpyFull of bumps and hollows, as in a rough road; often used to describe a life or career full of setbacks and frustrations.
- 命途坎坷 mìngtúkǎnkě to have a tough lifeto meet much adversity in one's life; one's path through life is full of setbacks and misfortune
- 命运坎坷 mìngyùnkǎnkě ill-fatedto have a rough life full of hardships and setbacks; one's fate is full of obstacles
- 坎坷多舛 kǎnkěduōchuǎn full of misfortunefull of trouble and misfortune, usually used to describe a person's life or career