- 吃苦耐劳 chīkǔnàiláo hardworkinghardworking and enduring hardships
- 吃苦头 chīkǔtou pay dearlyto suffer consequences for one's actions or learn a lesson the hard way
- 小洞不补大洞吃苦 xiǎodòngbùbǔdàdòngchīkǔ stitch in timea stitch in time saves nine; neglecting a small problem will lead to bigger trouble later