Japanese Conversation · Level 24
90 words
Japanese word
難しい
Pronunciation
Romajimuzukashii
Meaning
- i-adjectivedifficult
Example
この問題は難しいです。ko no mon dai wa muzuka shi i de su
This problem is difficult.
More examples
このパズルは難しいです。ko no pa zu ru wa muzuka shi i de su
This puzzle is difficult.
この本は子どもには難しいです。ko no hon wa ko do mo ni wa muzuka shi i de su
This book is difficult for children.
Core concept
It signals that understanding, solving, or doing something requires more effort than usual.
Common phrases
難しい問題muzuka shi i mon dai
difficult problem
難しい質問muzuka shi i shitsu mon
difficult question
Similar words
ややこしいyayakoshii: Requires extra thought because its parts are hard to understand or arrange.
しんどいshindoi: Describes a condition that takes a lot of physical or mental energy to endure.
きついkitsui: Requires great effort and is hard to endure.
厳しいkibishii: Is hard because the conditions are strict or the required standard is high.
Definition in Japanese
理解や実行が簡単にはできないさま。ri kai ya jik kō ga kan tan ni wa de ki na i sa ma
Word origin
As a native Japanese adjective, 難しい (muzukashii) continues the classical adjective 難し (muzukashi), whose older sense was "troublesome" or "unpleasant" and developed into the sense of difficulty.
Usage tips
- In conversation, 難しいですね (muzukashii desu ne) can soften a refusal by implying that a request is difficult to accept.
Other meanings
- complicatedi-adjective
Opposites
- 易しいyasashiieasyi-adjective
- 簡単kantansimplena-adjective
Related words
- 難しさmuzukashisadifficultynoun
- 難しがるmuzukashigarufind difficultverb