Japanese word

難い

Pronunciation

Romajikatai

Meaning

  • i-adjectivedifficult

Example

この問題は解き難いです。ko no mon dai wa to ki gata i de su

This problem is difficult to solve.

Illustration for 難い (difficult)

More examples

専門家でもこの問題を説明するのは難いです。sen mon ka de mo ko no mon dai o setsu mei su ru no wa kata i de su

Even experts find it difficult to explain this problem.

Core concept

Marks an action or result as difficult to achieve, understand, or complete.

Common phrases

  • 読むのが難いyo mu no ga kata i

    difficult to read

  • 説明するのが難いsetsu mei su ru no ga kata i

    difficult to explain

  • 判断するのが難いhan dan su ru no ga kata i

    difficult to judge

Similar words

難しいmuzukashii: Describes something that is difficult and is widely used in everyday speech.

Definition in Japanese

あることを成し遂げたり理解したりするのが難しい。a ru ko to o na shi to ge ta ri ri kai shi ta ri su ru no ga muzuka shi i

Word origin

As a native Japanese word, 難い (katai, "difficult") is related to the classical adjective 難し (katashi, "difficult"), and its kanji 難 (nan, "difficult") reflects the meaning.

Usage tips

  • 難い (katai, "difficult") often appears in formal or written Japanese, while everyday speech commonly uses 難しい (muzukashii, "difficult") for the same basic idea.

Opposites

  • 易しいyasashiieasyi-adjective

Word lists with this word