これは難しい
kore wa muzukashii
The English phrase "this is hard" is translated into Japanese as これは難しい (kore wa muzukashii).
This is used to say that a task or problem is difficult to complete or solve.
What does it mean word for word?
The part これ (kore) literally means "this" when referring to something near the speaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding です (desu) to the end of 難しい (muzukashii) makes the phrase polite and suitable for most social situations.
How do you pronounce it?
kore wa muzukashii
Did you know?
- While 難しい (muzukashii) means 'hard' or 'difficult', the Japanese language has a separate word 硬い (katai) to describe something that is physically hard to the touch.
- In Japanese, the word 難しい (muzukashii) is often used as a polite way to say 'no' or 'it is impossible' during a negotiation. Instead of a blunt refusal, people use this phrase to signal that a request is too difficult to fulfill.
- To emphasize that something is extremely hard, speakers often use めちゃくちゃ難しい (mechakucha muzukashii), where めちゃくちゃ (mechakucha) literally means 'messy' or 'in shambles'.
Examples in context
- これは難しいです。Kore wa muzukashii desu.This is hard.
- これは難しい問題ですね。Kore wa muzukashii mondai desu ne.This is a difficult problem, isn't it?
Example conversation
Kenta is helping Himari with her math homework.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さん、これは難しいです。Kenta-san, kore wa muzukashii desu.Kenta, this is hard.
- 健太 Kenta本当だね、これは難しいよ。Hontou da ne, kore wa muzukashii yo.You're right, this is hard.
- 陽葵 Himariどうすればいいですか？Dou sureba ii desu ka?What should I do?
- 健太 Kenta一緒に解いてみよう。Issho ni toite miyou.Let's try to solve it together.
