기구해요 · 기구했어요 · 기구한 (+noun)
(fate, life) ill-starred, full of hardships
Example
할머니는 전쟁을 겪으며 기구한 삶을 사셨어요.
Grandma lived a life full of hardship through the war.
Word parts
기 rugged+구 steep
Literally 'rugged and steep', like a mountain trail.
Good to know
Almost always with 운명, 삶 or 인생: 기구한 운명 'a cruel fate'.
Related words