困难
kùnnán
The English word 'trouble' can be translated into Chinese as 困难 (kùnnán), meaning difficulty. Wiktionary also lists 困難 / 困难 (kùnnán).
Meaning: difficulty (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 困难 | kùnnán |
| 困難 / 困难 | kùnnán |
困难 is used to describe objective difficulty or hardship, such as physical or financial difficulties like 经济困难 (financial difficulty). While it can mean 'trouble', other terms are used for different nuances: 烦恼 captures the emotional aspect of 'trouble' or 'worries' related to personal distress and the colloquial phrase 麻烦事 uses the word for 'matter' or 'thing' to refer to troublesome matters.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 困难 is a compound of two characters that both mean 'difficult' or 'hard'.
Which one should you use?
困难 refers to objective difficulty or hardship, whereas 麻烦 is used when 'trouble' means a hassle, an inconvenience or a bother.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kùnnán
Did you know?
- The character 困 in 困难 originally depicted a person trapped inside a city wall or enclosure, visually representing the feeling of being stuck or hindered.
- The phrase 麻烦你 (máfan nǐ) can actually function as a polite verb meaning 'could I trouble you' or 'sorry to bother you'. It turns a word that usually means 'trouble' or 'hassle' into a standard way to request assistance.
- To say someone is 'causing trouble' in a disruptive or annoying way, Chinese speakers use the phrase 找麻烦 (zhǎo máfan), which literally means 'to seek out hassle'.
Examples in context
- 我呼吸困难。I have trouble breathing.This sentence uses 困难 to describe trouble breathing.Tatoeba #8692456 by slo_oth, translation #7837112 by shekitten
- 汤姆站立困难。Tom had trouble standing up.This sentence uses 困难 to describe trouble standing up.Tatoeba #9964384 by GlossaMatik, translation #8599751 by CK
- 这些患者走路有困难。These patients have trouble walking.This sentence uses 困难 to describe trouble walking.Tatoeba #5715116 by verdastelo9604, translation #59910 by CK
- 麻烦您帮我一个忙。Could you do me a favor?
- 我遇到了一些困难。I have encountered some trouble/difficulties.
- 最近发生了些麻烦事。Some troubles have recently occurred.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are discussing a difficult task at work.
- 佳怡 Jiayi这个项目有很多困难。Zhège xiàngmù yǒu hěnduō kùnnán.This project has many difficulties.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你遇到什么困难了吗？Nǐ yùdào shénme kùnnán le ma?Are you encountering any difficulties?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我也觉得有些困难。Wǒ yě juédé yǒuxiē kùnnán.I also feel it is a bit difficult.
- 志强 Zhiqiang别担心，我会帮你。Bié dānxīn, wǒ huì bāng nǐ.Don't worry, I will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trouble” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
