難しい
muzukashii[mɯ̟zɨka̠ɕii]
The Japanese phrase for 'something is difficult' is 難しい (muzukashii).
難しい is used to describe a task or situation that requires a lot of effort or skill to complete. It can translate to 'difficult', 'hard' or 'complicated'.
Which one should you use?
While 難しい refers to the complexity or intellectual difficulty of a task, the phrase 大変だ is used to describe a situation that is physically or mentally exhausting or 'tough'. Additionally, 困難な conveys a higher level of difficulty and is suitable for formal occasions.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express different tenses or degrees, you can modify the word: the negative form is 難しくない (is not difficult), the past tense is 難しかった (was difficult) and by adding the suffix すぎる to the stem, you create 難しすぎる (is too difficult).
How do you pronounce it?
muzukashii
Did you know?
- In a professional context, 難しい functions as a social cushion to avoid the bluntness of the word 'no'. It allows a speaker to reject a request while maintaining harmony.
- Calling a person 難しい doesn't mean they are intellectually challenging, but rather that they are fussy, demanding or high-maintenance.
- When a Japanese person describes a social atmosphere as 難しい, it often implies a 'delicate' situation where a single wrong word could cause a major conflict.
Examples in context
- プロジェクトは非常にむずかしいです。The project is very difficult.
- この問題は困難な課題です。This problem is a difficult task.
- 研究は苦しい道のりです。Research is a difficult path.
- 昨日のテストはたいへんだった。Yesterday's test was difficult.
- このゲームはマジでしんどい！This game is seriously difficult!
- この数学の問題は難しいです。Kono suugaku no mondai wa muzukashii desu.This math problem is difficult.
- 日本語の漢字はとても難しい。Nihongo no kanji wa totemo muzukashii.Japanese characters are very difficult.
- 一人でやるのは難しいですね。Hitori de yaru no wa muzukashii desu ne.It is difficult to do it alone, isn't it?
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are talking about a new video game.
- 結衣 Yuiこのゲーム、レベルを上げるのが難しいね。Kono geemu, reberu o ageru no ga muzukashii ne.This game, it's difficult to level up, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね、すごく大変だよ。Sou da ne, sugoku taihen da yo.You're right, it's a lot of work.
- 結衣 Yui大翔君ならできるかな？Hiroto-kun nara dekiru kana?I wonder if you can do it, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoやってみるよ！Yatte miru yo!I'll give it a try!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 難しい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
