Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Difficult" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "difficult", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
困難な
こんなんな (konnan na)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
難航
なんこう (nankou)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "difficult" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 困難な and 難航.
In Japanese, 困難な (こんなんな (konnan na)) is typically associated with "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.
On the other hand, 難航 (なんこう (nankou)) maps to "difficult navigation, rough passage; making slow progress, encountering difficulties (of negotiations, projects)" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Literally meaning 'difficult navigation' for ships, it is commonly used metaphorically for projects, negotiations, or processes that are making slow or difficult progress due to various obstacles and challenges.. A literal translation of "difficult" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Bilingual Context for "難航"
交渉は予想通り難航している。
The negotiations are facing difficulties as expected.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "そのプロジェクトは非常に ＿＿＿ 課題を含んでいました。" (Meaning: "That project involved very difficult challenges.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "困難な" fits here because it means "difficult, hard, challenging" in the context of: "That project involved very difficult challenges.". "難航" represents "difficult navigation, rough passage; making slow progress, encountering difficulties (of negotiations, projects)".