어렵다
eoryeopda[ʌ̹ɾjʌ̹p̚t͈a̠]
The English word 'hard' is translated to Korean as 어렵다 (eoryeopda).
어렵다 is used to describe something that requires a lot of effort to do or understand, such as a complex concept or a difficult task. You can express this difficulty using the patterns –기 어렵다 or –기 힘들다.
Meaning: requiring a lot of effort to do or understand (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 어렵다 specifically refers to difficulty involving complexity or the mental effort required to understand something, 힘들다 is used when something is hard in terms of physical effort or emotional exhaustion. For example, a difficult math problem is 어렵다, but a physically exhausting workout or an emotionally draining situation is 힘들다.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 'hard' as an adjective directly before a noun, change the form to 어려운.
How do you pronounce it?
eoryeopda
Did you know?
- If you describe a person as 어려운 사람, you are not saying they are difficult to understand but that they hold a high social rank and are intimidating to approach.
- In a business context, saying 검토하기 어렵습니다 literally means 'it is hard to review' but is understood as 'we are rejecting your proposal'.
- In polite conversation, 어렵다 can be used as a gentle way to say 'no' or 'that is impossible' without using a blunt negative word.
Examples in context
- 그리스어를 배우는 것은 어렵다.Greek is hard to learn.This sentence uses 어렵다 to describe the difficulty of learning a language.Tatoeba #11110809 by intertime, translation #10551554 by sundown
- 이 나라에서 일자리를 찾는 것은 어렵다.It's hard to find a job in this country.This sentence uses 어렵다 to describe the difficulty of finding employment.Tatoeba #5989191 by mistake101, translation #5988095 by mailohilohi
- 이 문제는 어렵습니다.This problem is difficult.
- 이 시험은 매우 힘듭니다.This exam is very difficult.
- 이 과제는 정말 어려워.This assignment is really hard.
- 오늘 피트니스 수업은 정말 힘들어.Today's fitness class was really tough.
- 공부하기 힘들어.Studying is hard.
- 이해하기 어려워.Understanding is difficult.
- 정말 힘들어요.It's really hard.
- 아주 어렵습니다.It's very difficult.
- 수학 문제는 너무 어렵다.suhak munje-neun neomu eoryeopda.Math problems are too hard.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Dohyun are studying for a test together.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 이 부분이 너무 어렵다.Dohyun ssi, i bubuni neomu eoryeopda.Dohyun, this part is too hard.
- 도현 Do-hyeon제가 도와줄까요?jega dowajulkkayo?Shall I help you?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 설명 좀 해주세요.ne, seolmyeong jom haejuseyo.Yes, please explain it to me.
- 도현 Do-hyeon알겠어요. 같이 봐요.algesseoyo. gachi bwayo.I understand. Let's look at it together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hard” translations and entries 어렵다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
