Translation guide
The English word 'difficult' can be expressed in Japanese through various adjectives, verbs, and phrases depending on the nuance—whether something is hard to do, challenging, troublesome, or mentally taxing. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by meaning.
Expressing that a task or action requires effort and is not simple.
The most common and general word for 'difficult'. Used for tasks, problems, situations, and abstract concepts.
この問題は難しい。
This problem is difficult.
日本語を学ぶのは難しい。
Learning Japanese is difficult.
A more formal or written word for 'difficult', often implying hardship or adversity. Used as a na-adjective.
困難な状況に直面している。
We are facing a difficult situation.
Means 'tough' or 'hard', often with a nuance of being demanding or troublesome. Common in spoken Japanese.
今日の仕事は大変だった。
Today's work was difficult/tough.
Attach to the masu-stem of a verb to mean 'difficult to do' due to inherent difficulty or physical resistance. Similar to 'hard to V'.
このペンは書きにくい。
This pen is difficult to write with.
彼の説明はわかりにくい。
His explanation is difficult to understand.
Also means 'difficult to do', but often implies emotional or psychological difficulty, or personal hardship. More subjective than 〜にくい.
彼には本当のことを言いづらい。
It's difficult to tell him the truth.
Describing a person, situation, or thing that causes trouble or is hard to deal with.
Means 'troublesome', 'bothersome', or 'difficult to handle'. Often used for people or situations that are a nuisance.
厄介な客が来た。
A difficult customer came.
これは厄介な問題だ。
This is a difficult/troublesome problem.
Means 'troublesome', 'bothersome', or 'a hassle'. Implies something is annoying or requires too much effort.
面倒な手続きが必要だ。
Difficult/troublesome procedures are required.
Referring to something intellectually challenging or complicated.
Also covers 'difficult to understand'. Very common.
この本は難しすぎる。
This book is too difficult.
Means 'complex' or 'complicated'. Used when something has many parts and is hard to grasp.
複雑な問題を解決する。
Solve a difficult/complex problem.
Expressing that something is not easy to get or accomplish.
Literary or formal word meaning 'hard to obtain' or 'rare'. Used for valuable things.
これは得難い機会だ。
This is a difficult opportunity to come by.
Can be used with verbs like 手に入れる (to obtain) to mean 'difficult to get'.
この切符は手に入れにくい。
This ticket is difficult to obtain.
All three mean 'difficult to do', but with different nuances. 〜にくい is objective difficulty (e.g., physical resistance). 〜づらい implies emotional or psychological difficulty. 〜がたい is more formal/literary and often used with mental actions (e.g., 信じがたい 'hard to believe').
このドアは開けにくい。
This door is hard to open (stiff).
彼に別れを言いづらい。
It's hard to say goodbye to him (emotionally).
彼の行動は理解しがたい。
His behavior is hard to understand (almost incomprehensible).
While 難しい人 can be understood, it's more natural to use 厄介な人 (troublesome person) or 気難しい人 (hard-to-please person) depending on context. 難しい人 can sound like 'a person who is hard to understand' rather than 'difficult to deal with'.