難しい

むずかしい
Alternative readings: むつかしい
Alternative writings: 六借しい, 六ヶ敷い, 六かしい
JLPT:N5
Frequency:
1

Difficult; hard; troublesome; complicated — used for tasks, problems, or serious conditions.

I-Adjective

Examples

この問題は考えれば考えるほど難しい。

The more I think about this problem, the more difficult it becomes.

彼の説明は分かりにくくて難しい。

His explanation is hard to understand and confusing.

この手術は技術的に難しいと医者が言った。

The doctor said this operation is technically difficult.

2

Euphemistic: impossible or unfeasible — a softer way to say something can't be done (softer than 'muri').

I-AdjectiveEuphemistic

Examples

来週までに全部仕上げるのは難しいです。

It's unlikely I'll be able to finish everything by next week.

その条件で契約するのは難しいと思います。

I think it's difficult (i.e., unlikely) to sign a contract under those terms.

3

Fussy; particular; hard to please — describing a person who is picky or hard to satisfy.

I-Adjective

Examples

彼は食べ物に関して難しい人だ。好き嫌いが多い。

He's fussy about food; he has many likes and dislikes.

あの顧客は注文が難しいので、対応に時間がかかる。

That customer is picky, so handling them takes time.

難しい人相手でも落ち着いて話すといい。

Even with a difficult person, it's good to speak calmly.

4

Gloomy; glum; serious-looking — describing an unpleasant or severe expression or atmosphere.

I-Adjective

Examples

今日は部長の顔が難しい。何かあったのだろうか。

The manager looks gloomy today. I wonder if something happened.

難しい表情で黙っている彼を見て、気まずくなった。

Seeing him silent with a serious expression made things awkward.

5

Archaic: dirty; unclean; filthy — an old usage rarely used in modern Japanese.

I-AdjectiveArchaic

Examples

古い文学作品には「難しい」が『汚らわしい』の意で用いられる部分がある。

In old literature, 'muzukashii' is sometimes used to mean 'filthy' or 'disgusting'.

6

Archaic: unpleasant; uncomfortable; creepy — an old sense seldom seen in modern usage.

I-AdjectiveArchaic

Examples

古文の注釈に、『難しい』はここでは「気味が悪い」と説明されている。

A commentary on a classical text explains that here 'muzukashii' means 'creepy'.

Word Relationships

Synonyms
Antonym
Derivations