also: むつかしい · むづかしい
i-adjective
The core modern sense: something is hard to do, understand, solve, judge, or deal with. The antonym is 易しい.
Antonyms: 易しい
この漢字は読むのが難しい。
This kanji is difficult to read.
彼の説明は専門用語が多くて難しい。
His explanation is hard to understand because it has many technical terms.
i-adjective
serious; tricky; hard to handle
Used for a serious or delicate problem, illness, operation, negotiation, or situation that is hard to handle or resolve.
Antonyms: 易しい
医師は、難しい病気ですが治療法はあります、と説明した。
The doctor explained that it was a serious disease, but that treatments were available.
i-adjective
not feasible; difficult to do; not possible
A softer, more indirect way to say that something is impossible or unfeasible; often gentler than saying 無理.
その日程での納品は難しいです。
Delivery on that schedule would not be feasible.
今日中に返事をするのは難しいかもしれません。
It may not be possible to reply by the end of today.
i-adjective
fussy; particular; hard to please
Describes a person, customer, or taste as demanding, picky, or not easily satisfied.
難しいお客さんで、少しの遅れにも文句を言う。
He is a hard-to-please customer and complains even about small delays.
i-adjective
Common especially in the expression 難しい顔, meaning a troubled, stern, sullen, or serious expression.
彼は朝から難しい顔をしている。
He has had a gloomy, serious look on his face since this morning.
i-adjective
Archaic use; not a normal modern meaning of 難しい. Modern readers would usually understand the word as 'difficult' unless the historical context makes this sense clear.
古語では「むつかしい」が、汚いものや嫌なものを表すことがある。
In classical usage, むつかしい can describe something dirty or detestable.
i-adjective
unpleasant; uncomfortable; creepy
Archaic use for something unpleasant, uncomfortable, eerie, or spooky; this is not the ordinary modern sense.
古い文章の「むつかしい」は、「気味が悪い」「不快だ」という意味で読まれることがある。
In older writing, むつかしい may be read as meaning 'creepy' or 'unpleasant.'