Chinese word

难题

Pronunciation

Pinyinnán tí

Meaning

  • noundifficult problem

Example

这个难题我们一起解决吧。zhè ge nán tí wǒ men yì qǐ jiě jué ba

Let's solve this difficult problem together.

Illustration for 难题 (difficult problem)

More examples

考试时他遇到了一道难题。kǎo shì shí tā yù dào le yí dào nán tí

He came across a difficult problem during the exam.

Core concept

A difficult question or challenge that blocks progress until a way through is found.

Common phrases

  • 解决难题jiě jué nán tí

    solve a difficult problem

  • 遇到难题yù dào nán tí

    encounter a difficult problem

  • 回答难题huí dá nán tí

    answer a difficult problem

Similar words

问题wèn tí: A question or matter for which an answer or solution is needed.
困难kùn nán: A difficult condition that blocks progress and calls for effort or skill.
麻烦má fán: A troublesome situation or event that creates extra work and inconvenience.

Definition in Chinese

常指棘手且需要认真分析或多人合作才能解决的问题，也可泛指令人头疼的难事。cháng zhǐ jí shǒu qiě xū yào rèn zhēn fēn xī huò duō rén hé zuò cái néng jiě jué de wèn tí yě kě fàn zhǐ lìng rén tóu téng de nán shì

Word origin

难 (nán, "hard") + 题 (tí, "question") forms 难题 (nántí, "difficult problem"), so the compound treats a hard question as a problem requiring real effort.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, 难题 (nántí, "difficult problem") can describe a personal trouble or a shared challenge, not only a question on a worksheet.

Other meanings

  • difficult questionnoun

Opposites

  • 简单题jiǎn dān tíeasy problemnoun
  • 小问题xiǎo wèn tíminor problemnoun

Word lists with this word