Translation and Meaning of: 難しい - muzukashii

The Japanese word 「難しい」 (muzukashii) is an adjective that generally means "difficult" or "complicated." This word is widely used in everyday Japanese to describe situations, tasks, or issues that present some degree of difficulty. The kanji writing 「難しい」 is composed of the kanji 「難」 which, by itself, also means "difficult" or "problem." It is often used in combinations that imply challenges or complications.

Regarding etymology, the kanji 「難」 is associated with the concept of difficulty and is composed of two main radicals: 「隹」 (sui), which represents a small bird, and 「災」 (sai), which denotes calamity or disaster. This combination suggests the image of a bird facing a storm, symbolizing a scenario of difficulties or adversities. The ending 「しい」 in 「難しい」 is a form of adjectivation in Japanese known as 「形容詞」 (keiyōshi), which is used to describe attributes or states.

Usage in Daily Life

Task or problem evaluation: Describing something as 「難しい」 implies that effort or skill will be required to overcome it.
Personal expression: Frequently used to express feelings of frustration or challenge in relation to everyday life situations.

In addition to its literal use, 「難しい」 also has more subjective and cultural connotations that can vary depending on the context in which it is applied. For example, in more formal or academic contexts, it can be used to describe complex intellectual issues. In emotional contexts, it can mean that something is problematic or emotionally demanding.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

困難 (Konnan) - Difficulty or challenge in a situation.
複雑 (Fukuzatsu) - Complexity, something that is difficult due to many elements involved.
手強い (Tegowai) - Difficult to deal with, often used to describe situations or people that show resistance.
難解 (Nankai) - Something that is difficult to understand, especially a complex text or concept.
難儀 (Nangi) - Difficulty that causes discomfort or disturbance.
難点 (Danten) - Difficult point or weakness in a situation or argument.
難易度が高い (Nan'ido ga takai) - High difficulty level.
難しいことが多い (Muzukashii koto ga ooi) - There are many difficult things.
難しい問題 (Muzukashii mondai) - Complicated problem that requires skill to solve.
難しい課題 (Muzukashii kadai) - Task or challenge that is difficult to complete.
難しい漢字 (Muzukashii kanji) - Complicated kanji that can be difficult to learn or write.
難しい言葉 (Muzukashii kotoba) - Difficult words that may require a greater understanding.
難しいテスト (Muzukashii tesuto) - A test that is challenging and requires rigorous preparation.
難しい試験 (Muzukashii shiken) - Exam of significant difficulty, usually in an academic context.
難しい仕事 (Muzukashii shigoto) - Work that presents substantial challenges.
難しい技術 (Muzukashii gijutsu) - Technique that requires a high level of skill to be performed.
難しい状況 (Muzukashii jōkyō) - Situation that is complex and challenging.
難しい選択 (Muzukashii sentaku) - Difficult choice that can have significant consequences.
難しい決断 (Muzukashii ketsudan) - Complicated decision that requires careful thought.
難しい場面 (Muzukashii bamen) - A scenario that is challenging or complicated to manage.
難しい人 (Muzukashii hito) - A person who is difficult to deal with because of their complexity or personality.
難しい教科 (Muzukashii kyōka) - School subject that is considered complicated.
難しい科目 (Muzukashii kamoku) - Difficult subject in an educational context.
難しいレベル (Muzukashii reberu) - Difficulty level that is high or complex.

Related words

比較

hikaku

comparison

難

nan

difficulty; difficulties; defect

しぶとい

shibutoi

Tenious; stubborn

困難

konnan

difficulty; anguish

きつい

kitsui

tight; close; intense

辛い

karai

hot (spicy); salty; hard (on someone); adverse; hard

難しい

Romaji: muzukashii
Kana: むずかしい
Type: Adjective
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: difficult

Meaning in English: difficult

Definition: A Japanese dictionary is a reference book that explains the meaning, usage, etymology, etc. of words.

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How to Write in Japanese - (難しい) muzukashii

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (難しい) muzukashii:

Example Sentences - (難しい) muzukashii

See below some example sentences:

この細い線を描くのは難しいです。

Kono hosoi sen wo egaku no wa muzukashii desu

Drawing that fine line is difficult.

It's hard to draw that fine line.

この - indicates that what follows refers to something close to the speaker, in this case, "this"
細い - adjective that means "thin" or "narrow"
線 - noun that means "line"
を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "the line"
描く - verb that means "to draw" or "to paint"
のは - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "draw the fine line"
難しい - adjective meaning "difficult"
です - verb "to be" in the present, indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is a polite statement

この役の台詞はとても難しいです。

Kono yaku no serifu wa totemo muzukashii desu

The lines of this paper are very difficult.

The line of this role is very difficult.

この - this
役 - paper
の - of
台詞 - speak
は - is
とても - very
難しい - difficult
です - is (politeness)

この病気の診断は難しいです。

Kono byōki no shindan wa muzukashii desu

Diagnosing this disease is difficult.

The diagnosis of this disease is difficult.

この - this
病気 - disease
の - of
診断 - diagnosis
は - is
難しい - difficult
です - is

この棒を曲げるのは難しいです。

Kono bou wo mageru no wa muzukashii desu

Folding this stick is difficult.

It's hard to double this baton.

この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
棒 - means "stick"
を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
曲げる - verb meaning "to bend"
の - particle that transforms the verb into a noun, in this case, "fold"
は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about"
難しい - adjective meaning "difficult"
です - verb that indicates the polite and polished way of speaking, in this case, "é"

このネジを外すのは難しいです。

Kono neji o hazusu no wa muzukashii desu

It is difficult to remove this screw.

It's hard to remove this screw.

この - this
ネジ - screw
を - object particle
外す - remove
のは - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
難しい - difficult
です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

この問題はとても難しいです。

Kono mondai wa totemo muzukashii desu

This problem is very difficult.

この - demonstrative "this"
問題 - noun "problem"
は - Topic particle
とても - adverb "very"
難しい - adjective "difficult"
です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この問題を解くのは難しいです。

Kono mondai o toku no wa muzukashii desu

Solving this problem is difficult.

It is difficult to solve this problem.

この - Demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one".
問題 - noun that means "problem" or "issue".
を - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence.
解く - verb that means "to resolve" or "to solve".
の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
は - Particle that marks the topic of the sentence.
難しい - adjective that means "difficult" or "complicated".
です - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality in the Japanese language.

この問題は難しいです。

Kono mondai wa muzukashii desu

This problem is difficult.

この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
問題 - noun meaning "problem" or "question"
は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
難しい - adjective that means "difficult" or "complicated"
です - linking verb that indicates the existence or state of something, in this case, "is"

この題は難しいです。

Kono dai wa muzukashii desu

This question is difficult.

This title is difficult.