Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Difficult" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "difficult", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
むずかしい
むずかしい (muzukashii)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
困難な
こんなんな (konnan na)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "difficult" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between むずかしい and 困難な.
In Japanese, むずかしい (むずかしい (muzukashii)) is typically associated with "difficult" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents An i-adjective used to describe something that is not easy to do or understand. The opposite of やさしい.
On the other hand, 困難な (こんなんな (konnan na)) maps to "difficult, hard, challenging" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used to describe situations or tasks that are difficult to achieve or overcome. More formal than 「難しい. A literal translation of "difficult" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "むずかしい"
この問題はとても難しくて、わかりません。
This problem is very difficult, so I don't understand it.
Bilingual Context for "困難な"
そのプロジェクトは非常に困難な課題を含んでいました。
That project involved very difficult challenges.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この問題はとても難しくて、わかりません。" (Meaning: "This problem is very difficult, so I don't understand it.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "むずかしい" fits here because it means "difficult" in the context of: "This problem is very difficult, so I don't understand it.". "困難な" represents "difficult, hard, challenging".