苦涩 kǔsè bitter and astringent Definitions Defs Origin Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents kǔsè bitter and astringent 苦 kǔ adjective bitter having a sharp, pungent taste like that of coffee or unsweetened cocoa; the opposite of 甜 tián涩 澀 sè adjective astringent tasting tart or puckery; leaving a dry, rough, or numb sensation on the tonguekǔsè pained 苦 kǔ adjective miserable hard; painful; experiencing or causing physical or mental distress涩 澀 sè awkward unnatural or hesitant in manner, often due to shyness or embarrassment