| Kanji | Hiragana |
|---|---|
| 難しい | むずかしい |
Pronunciation: muzukashii
How to Say It Outloud: moo-zoo-kah-she-ee
Usage: Used to describe something that is difficult or hard to understand.
Example Sentence Japanese:
この問題はとても難しいです。
この問題はとても難しいです。Example Sentence English:This problem is very difficult.
This problem is very difficult.| Kanji | Hiragana |
|---|---|
| 困難 | こんなん |
Pronunciation: konnan
How to Say It Outloud: konn-nahn
Usage: Used to describe a state of difficulty or hardship.
Example Sentence Japanese:困難な状況を乗り越える。
困難な状況を乗り越える。Example Sentence English:Overcome a difficult situation.
Overcome a difficult situation.| Kanji | Hiragana |
|---|---|
| 大変 | たいへん |
Pronunciation: taihen
How to Say It Outloud: tie-hen
Usage: Used to describe something that is very difficult or troublesome.
Example Sentence Japanese:この仕事は大変です。
この仕事は大変です。Example Sentence English:This work is very difficult.
This work is very difficult.| Kanji | Hiragana |
|---|---|
| 厳しい | きびしい |
Pronunciation: kibishii
How to Say It Outloud: kee-bee-she-ee
Usage: Used to describe something that is severe or strict, which can also imply difficulty.
Example Sentence Japanese:先生が厳しいです。
先生が厳しいです。Example Sentence English:The teacher is strict.
The teacher is strict.| Hiragana |
|---|
| しんどい |
Pronunciation: shindoi
How to Say It Outloud: sheen-doy
Usage: Colloquial expression used to describe something physically or mentally draining/difficult.
Example Sentence Japanese:毎日の仕事がしんどい。
毎日の仕事がしんどい。Example Sentence English:Everyday work is exhausting.
Everyday work is exhausting.Dictionary
難しいむずかしいCommon wordjlpt-n5
I-adjective (keiyoushi)- difficult; hard; troublesome; complicated; serious (disease, problem, etc.)
- impossible; unfeasible
- fussy; particular; fastidious; hard to please; displeased
- gloomy; glum; sullen; serious (look)
- dirty; unclean; filthy; detestable
- unpleasant; uncomfortable; creepy; spooky
難いかたいjlpt-n1
I-adjective (keiyoushi)- difficult; hard
苦しいくるしいCommon wordjlpt-n3
I-adjective (keiyoushi)- painful; difficult; tough; hard
- distressing; (psychologically) difficult; stressful; awkward (e.g. position)
- straitened (circumstances); tight (financial situation); needy; struggling
- strained (interpretation, explanation, etc.); lame (e.g. excuse); forced (e.g. smile); far-fetched
I-adjective (keiyoushi)
- hard to do; unpleasant
手ごわいてごわいCommon word
I-adjective (keiyoushi)- difficult; tough; formidable; redoubtable; stubborn
微妙びみょうCommon wordjlpt-n3
Na-adjective (keiyodoshi)Noun
- subtle; delicate; fine
Noun
- difficult; complex; tricky; delicate (situation, position, etc.); close (e.g. decision)
Noun
- doubtful; questionable; dicey
Noun
- not great; iffy
厳しいきびしいCommon wordjlpt-n4
I-adjective (keiyoushi)- severe; strict; rigid; unsparing; relentless
- hard (to do); difficult; tricky
- intense (e.g. cold); harsh (weather); inclement
気難しいきむずかしいCommon word
I-adjective (keiyoushi)- hard to please; difficult; particular; fussy; choosy; picky; fastidious
- bad-tempered; in a bad mood; displeased; sullen; crabby; cranky; grumpy
つらいCommon wordjlpt-n3
I-adjective (keiyoushi)- painful; bitter; heart-breaking; difficult (emotionally)
- tough; difficult; hard (usu. of situations)
- cruel; harsh; cold
悩ましいなやましいjlpt-n1
I-adjective (keiyoushi)- seductive; carnal; enchanting
- troubling; difficult; thorny; hard
- anxious; uneasy
難しかたし
'ku' adjective (archaic)- difficult; hard
むずいむずい
I-adjective (keiyoushi)- difficult
手のかかるてのかかる
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)Noun or verb acting prenominally
- troublesome; difficult (e.g. customer, guest, child); laborious (e.g. task, dinner)
難儀なんぎ
Na-adjective (keiyodoshi)Noun
- troublesome (person, task, etc.); difficult
Suru verb
Intransitive verb
- suffering; hardship; trouble; affliction; difficulty
難産なんざん
NounSuru verb
Intransitive verb
- difficult delivery; difficult childbirth; dystocia
- Dystocia
大変たいへんCommon wordjlpt-n5
Adverb (fukushi)- very; greatly; terribly; awfully
Noun
- immense; enormous; great
Noun
- serious; grave; dreadful; terrible
Noun
- difficult; hard; challenging
- major incident; disaster
難問なんもんCommon word
NounSuru verb
- perplexity; difficult question; difficult problem
不都合ふつごうCommon word
Na-adjective (keiyodoshi)Noun
- inconvenient; inexpedient; unfavourable; troublesome; difficult
Noun
- wrong; improper; objectionable; unjustifiable
ややこしいややこしいCommon wordjlpt-n1
I-adjective (keiyoushi)- complicated; complex; intricate; confusing; difficult; troublesome
難しげむずかしげ
Na-adjective (keiyodoshi)- difficult; hard; troublesome; complicated; serious (disease, problem, etc.)
兼ねるかねるCommon wordjlpt-n2
SuffixIchidan verb
- to be unable to; to find difficult (unpleasant, awkward, painful) to do
Transitive verb
- to serve two or more functions or roles simultaneously; to contain (or combine) two or more features
Transitive verb
- to work in two or more jobs simultaneously (positions, etc.); to do alongside
Transitive verb
- to hesitate to do something (out of consideration for others)
Transitive verb
- to think of the future (as well as the present)
See also
Hi, I’m Aura Ruggeri and I want to make sure that no one makes the same mistake that I did.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Japan anytime soon, do exactly that - plan! Read up on all of the amazing things to do here to make the most of your time. I can bet that you’ll still return home feeling like you could’ve explored much more.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Japan anytime soon, do exactly that - plan! Read up on all of the amazing things to do here to make the most of your time. I can bet that you’ll still return home feeling like you could’ve explored much more.
Latest posts by Aura Ruggeri (see all)
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!