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A2 adverb #3,000 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

कठिनाई से

kathinai se
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At the A1 level, you are just starting to describe how things are done. 'Kathinaai se' is a useful phrase to help you explain that an action wasn't easy. Think of it as the opposite of 'Aasani se' (easily). At this stage, you will mostly use it for physical actions. For example, 'I am walking with difficulty' or 'I am reading with difficulty.' You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just remember that 'Kathinaai' means 'difficulty' and 'se' means 'with.' When you put them together before a verb, you are telling people that you are trying very hard. It's a great way to express your feelings when you find Hindi homework tough! You might say, 'I am writing Hindi with difficulty' (Main kathinaai se Hindi likh raha hoon). This shows you are making an effort. It is a very polite and clear way to ask for help or more time. Even at this basic level, using this phrase makes your Hindi sound much more natural than just using the word 'hard.'
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By the A2 level, you should be able to use 'Kathinaai se' in various tenses—past, present, and future. You are moving beyond simple physical descriptions and starting to talk about tasks and daily life events. You can use it to describe reaching a place, finding an object, or understanding a person. For example, 'I found the house with difficulty' (Maine kathinaai se ghar dhoondha). At this level, you should also start noticing the difference between 'Kathin' (the adjective) and 'Kathinaai se' (the adverb). You'll use 'Kathin' to describe the exam itself, but 'Kathinaai se' to describe how you passed it. You will also begin to hear the alternative 'Mushkil se' in movies or songs. A2 learners should practice using 'Kathinaai se' to give more detail to their stories. Instead of saying 'I reached late,' you can say 'I reached with difficulty because of the rain.' This adds 'why' and 'how' to your sentences, which is a key goal for A2 learners. It helps you connect your thoughts and describe the process of your actions, not just the result.
At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'Kathinaai se' in more abstract and complex contexts. You are no longer just talking about climbing hills or finding houses; you are talking about emotions, social situations, and professional challenges. For example, you might say, 'He accepted his mistake with difficulty' (Usne kathinaai se apni galti maani). This level requires you to understand the nuance of effort—sometimes the difficulty is internal or psychological. You should also be comfortable using intensifiers like 'Badi' or 'Bahut' to say 'with great difficulty.' This allows you to express a range of struggle. B1 learners should also start comparing 'Kathinaai se' with other phrases like 'Mehnat se' (with hard work). While 'Kathinaai se' focuses on the obstacle, 'Mehnat se' focuses on your hard work. Choosing the right one shows a deeper understanding of Hindi. You will also encounter this phrase in news reports and formal letters, so being able to recognize it and use it in a formal register is important for reaching B1 proficiency.
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For B2 learners, 'Kathinaai se' becomes a tool for sophisticated storytelling and precise reporting. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures, including those with relative clauses and passive voice. For example, 'The goals that were set were achieved with great difficulty' (Jo lakshya nirdharit kiye gaye the, unhe badi kathinaai se prapt kiya gaya). At this level, you should also understand the idiomatic uses of the phrase. You might use it to mean 'hardly' in a way that implies a near-miss or a narrow escape. You are also expected to distinguish between the formal 'Kathinaai se' and the more colloquial 'Mushkil se' and use them appropriately based on your audience. B2 learners should be able to discuss social issues or historical events using this phrase to describe the struggles of a community or a nation. Your vocabulary should be rich enough that you don't just use this phrase for everything, but you choose it specifically when you want to emphasize the 'friction' or 'resistance' encountered during an action.
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At the C1 level, your use of 'Kathinaai se' should be flawless and nuanced. You will use it in academic writing, legal contexts, or high-level literary analysis. You understand the Sanskrit roots of 'Kathinaai' and how it contrasts with Persian-influenced Hindi. You can use the phrase to describe subtle philosophical or technical difficulties. For example, in a critique of a poem, you might describe how the poet 'with difficulty' balances two opposing themes. You are also aware of very rare synonyms like 'Dustarta se' and when to use them for poetic effect. At this level, 'Kathinaai se' is not just a vocabulary word; it's a stylistic choice. You might use it to create a specific rhythm in your prose or to signal a shift in tone. You are also proficient in using it in the negative or with complex modal verbs (e.g., 'It could only have been done with difficulty'). Your ability to use this phrase reflects a deep integration into the linguistic culture of Hindi, where you can navigate the fine line between formal elegance and everyday clarity.
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As a C2 learner, you have mastered 'Kathinaai se' to the point of native-like intuition. You can use it in spontaneous, high-stakes environments like live debates, legal cross-examinations, or literary translations. You understand every possible connotation—from the physical strain of a laborer to the existential struggle of a philosopher. You can detect when a speaker uses 'Kathinaai se' to be humble or when they use it to exaggerate a struggle for dramatic effect. You are also capable of using the phrase in wordplay or advanced rhetorical devices. Your understanding extends to the history of the word and its evolution in modern standard Hindi. You can effortlessly switch between 'Kathinaai se', 'Mushkil se', and 'Kleshpurvak' to perfectly match the register and emotional subtext of any situation. At this level, the phrase is a part of your 'linguistic DNA,' allowing you to express the multifaceted nature of human struggle with precision, grace, and cultural depth.
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कठिनाई से in 30 Sekunden

  • An adverbial phrase meaning 'with difficulty' or 'hardly'.
  • Formed from the noun 'Kathinaai' (difficulty) and 'se' (with).
  • Used across all CEFR levels from basic physical struggle to complex abstract concepts.
  • A formal alternative to the common phrase 'mushkil se'.
The Hindi adverbial phrase कठिनाई से (kathināī se) is a cornerstone of expressing effort, struggle, and the overcoming of obstacles in the Hindi language. At its core, it translates to 'with difficulty' or 'hardly/barely.' Grammatically, it is composed of the abstract noun कठिनाई (difficulty), derived from the adjective कठिन (hard/difficult), and the postposition से, which in this context functions similarly to the English preposition 'with' or the adverbial suffix '-ly.' This phrase is indispensable for Hindi learners because it moves beyond simple descriptions of objects and enters the realm of describing human experience and the quality of actions. When you use कठिनाई से, you are not just saying something was hard; you are emphasizing the process and the strain involved in the execution of an action.
Literal Meaning
From difficulty / With difficulty.
Functional Meaning
Used to describe an action performed with significant effort or something that almost didn't happen.
In everyday conversation, Indians might use this to describe physical tasks, such as climbing a steep hill or lifting a heavy box. However, its utility extends far into the abstract. It is used to describe passing a competitive exam, understanding a complex philosophical concept, or even finding a specific address in the chaotic, winding lanes of Old Delhi. The phrase carries a weight of perseverance. Unlike the word 'hardly' in English, which can sometimes mean 'not at all' (e.g., 'I hardly know him'), कठिनाई से almost always implies that the action was completed, but the cost in terms of energy or time was high.

उसने कठिनाई से अपना होमवर्क पूरा किया। (He completed his homework with difficulty.)

Culturally, the concept of 'Kathinaai' is often associated with 'Parishram' (hard work), a valued trait in Indian society. Using this phrase correctly shows an appreciation for the struggle involved in an achievement. It is also a more formal and 'Sanskritic' alternative to the Urdu-derived मुश्किल से (mushkil se), although both are used frequently. In formal writing, news reports, and literature, कठिनाई से is preferred for its rhythmic and classical feel. Furthermore, the phrase can be intensified. You can say बहुत कठिनाई से (with great difficulty) or बड़ी कठिनाई से (with huge difficulty) to emphasize an extreme struggle. This flexibility allows speakers to color their narratives with varying degrees of hardship. For example, a survivor of a natural disaster might use this phrase to describe their escape, imbuing the sentence with a sense of gravity that a simpler adverb might lack.

भीड़ में मैंने उसे कठिनाई से पहचाना। (I recognized him with difficulty in the crowd.)

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Neutral to Formal. Suitable for exams, speeches, and polite conversation.
Understanding this phrase also helps in understanding the logic of Hindi postpositions. Since Hindi uses 'se' to create adverbs from nouns, mastering कठिनाई से provides a template for thousands of other expressions like आसानी से (easily) or सावधानी से (carefully). It is a gateway phrase into higher-level Hindi fluency.
Using कठिनाई से correctly requires an understanding of Hindi word order and the relationship between adverbs and verbs. In a standard Hindi sentence (Subject-Object-Verb), the adverbial phrase usually precedes the verb or the specific action it modifies. For instance, in the sentence 'I walked with difficulty,' the Hindi structure would be 'I (Subject) + with difficulty (Adverb) + walked (Verb).' This placement ensures that the listener immediately understands the manner in which the action was performed.

वृद्ध व्यक्ति कठिनाई से सीढ़ियाँ चढ़ रहा था। (The old man was climbing the stairs with difficulty.)

One of the most common ways to use this phrase is in the past tense to describe a completed struggle. However, it is equally effective in the present and future tenses. For example, if you are predicting a tough road ahead, you might say, 'You will pass this exam with difficulty.' This adds a layer of warning or realism to your statement.
Tense Usage
Can be used in all tenses. Positioned before the main verb or the entire predicate.
It's important to note the difference between the adjective कठिन (difficult) and the adverbial phrase कठिनाई से. You use कठिन to describe a noun ('This is a difficult book' - यह एक कठिन किताब है). You use कठिनाई से to describe how you read that book ('I read this book with difficulty' - मैंने यह किताब कठिनाई से पढ़ी). Confusing these two is a common mistake for English speakers. Another nuanced use of कठिनाई से is as a synonym for 'barely' or 'hardly' in contexts of scarcity or near-failure. For instance, 'There was hardly any water' can be translated using this phrase to emphasize the struggle to find water.

हमें रेगिस्तान में कठिनाई से पानी मिला। (We found water with difficulty in the desert.)

In negative sentences, the phrase takes on an even stronger tone. 'He could hardly speak' becomes वह कठिनाई से बोल पा रहा था. Here, the phrase functions as a qualifier for the ability (sakna/paana) of the subject.
Placement Variety
While usually before the verb, for poetic emphasis, it can start the sentence: 'कठिनाई से उसने अपनी आँखें खोलीं' (With difficulty, he opened his eyes).
When combined with other adverbs, it maintains its position close to the verb. For example, 'He very slowly and with difficulty moved.' In Hindi: वह बहुत धीरे और कठिनाई से चला. This demonstrates the additive nature of Hindi adverbial phrases.

मशीन कठिनाई से काम कर रही है। (The machine is working with difficulty.)

Finally, remember that कठिनाई से is an invariable phrase. Unlike adjectives, it doesn't change based on the gender or number of the subject. Whether a man, a woman, or a group of people is struggling, the phrase remains कठिनाई से. This makes it a reliable and easy-to-use tool once the basic structure is mastered.
You will encounter कठिनाई से in a wide variety of social and professional settings in India. It is a 'high-utility' phrase that bridges the gap between colloquial speech and formal discourse. In the realm of Indian News and Media, this phrase is a favorite for journalists. When reporting on a rescue operation after a flood or an earthquake, news anchors will frequently say, 'The rescue team reached the village with great difficulty' (बड़ी कठिनाई से). It adds a sense of drama and highlights the heroism of the workers.

बचाव दल कठिनाई से घटनास्थल पर पहुँचा। (The rescue team reached the site with difficulty.)

In Academic and Professional Settings, teachers and professors use it to describe the rigor of a subject. A math teacher might warn students that a particular theorem can only be proven 'with difficulty.' In business meetings, a manager might explain that a project was completed 'with difficulty' due to budget constraints. This usage is professional and avoids the more casual tone of slang.
Context: Healthcare
Doctors use it to describe a patient's breathing (साँस लेने में कठिनाई) or movement.
Context: Literature
Novels use it to build tension during a character's struggle against nature or society.
You will also hear this in Bollywood Movies and TV Dramas. It is often used in climactic scenes where a protagonist is struggling to survive or reach a loved one. The emotional weight of the phrase makes it perfect for cinematic dialogue. For example, a hero might say, 'I have reached you with great difficulty' (मैं बड़ी कठिनाई से तुम्हारे पास पहुँचा हूँ), emphasizing the sacrifices made along the way. In Daily Life, you might hear it at the train station or in traffic. A commuter might complain that they found a seat 'with difficulty' or that the bus is moving 'with difficulty' through the monsoon rain. It is a universal expression of the friction of life.

आज ट्रैफिक की वजह से मैं कठिनाई से ऑफिस पहुँचा। (Today, due to traffic, I reached the office with difficulty.)

Usage in Official Documents
Legal or governmental reports use it to describe hurdles in policy implementation.
Finally, in Religious or Philosophical Discourses, gurus often speak about how the path to enlightenment is traveled 'with difficulty.' Here, the phrase takes on a spiritual dimension, representing the 'Tapas' or penance required for growth. Whether you are in a boardroom in Mumbai or a temple in Varanasi, कठिनाई से is a phrase that resonates with the shared human experience of overcoming.
Even for intermediate learners, कठिनाई से can be a bit of a stumbling block due to its grammatical structure and similarity to other words. The most frequent error is omitting the postposition 'से'. Many English speakers, thinking of the word 'difficult,' simply use 'कठिनाई' as an adverb. For example, saying वह कठिनाई चला (He difficulty walked) is incorrect. You must include 'से' to transform the noun into an adverbial phrase: वह कठिनाई से चला.

Incorrect: वह कठिनाई बोलता है।
Correct: वह कठिनाई से बोलता है।

Another common mistake is confusing 'कठिन' (adjective) with 'कठिनाई से' (adverb). As mentioned earlier, 'कठिन' describes a noun, while 'कठिनाई से' describes a verb. A student might say यह काम कठिनाई से है (This work is with difficulty) when they mean यह काम कठिन है (This work is difficult). Remember: use the adjective for 'is/am/are' sentences describing a subject, and use the adverb for action sentences.
Adjective vs. Adverb
Adjective (कठिन): Describing a thing. Adverb (कठिनाई से): Describing the 'how' of an action.
Learners also struggle with the interchangeability with 'मुश्किल से'. While they are often synonyms, 'मुश्किल से' is more commonly used to mean 'barely' in terms of time or quantity (e.g., 'I had barely arrived when...'). Using कठिनाई से in those specific time-based 'barely' contexts can sometimes sound slightly unnatural, though it is technically correct. A subtle error involves word order. While Hindi is flexible, placing कठिनाई से after the verb can sound like an afterthought or a mistake. For example, वह चला कठिनाई से is much less common than वह कठिनाई से चला. Stick to the pre-verbal position to ensure clarity.

बेहतर क्रम (Better Order): मैंने कठिनाई से दरवाजा खोला। (I opened the door with difficulty.)

Pronunciation Error
Avoid pronouncing the 'th' in 'Kathin' like the English 'the'. It is an aspirated 't' (like in 'thug' but sharper).
Lastly, some learners try to pluralize 'Kathinaai' when using it as an adverb. Even if there were multiple difficulties, the adverbial phrase remains singular: कठिनाई से. Do not say कठिनाइयों से in this adverbial context unless you specifically mean 'from/through many difficulties' in a more literal, noun-based sense. Keeping it singular ensures it functions correctly as a standard adverb of manner.
Hindi offers a rich palette of words to describe difficulty, and knowing the alternatives to कठिनाई से will make your speech more precise and natural. The most common synonym is मुश्किल से (mushkil se). Originating from Arabic/Persian, this is the go-to phrase in everyday spoken Hindi (Hindustani). It is virtually identical in meaning to कठिनाई से, but carries a slightly more informal or 'common' vibe. If you are chatting with friends at a café, 'mushkil se' is likely what you'll use.
मुश्किल से vs कठिनाई से
Mushkil se: Informal/Common, often means 'barely'.
Kathinaai se: Formal/Sanskritic, emphasizes the 'effort'.
Another alternative is बड़ी मेहनत से (baṛī mēhnat sē), which translates to 'with great hard work.' This is used when the difficulty was overcome through sheer labor and persistence rather than just being a 'hard' situation. For instance, 'I built this house with great hard work' would use this phrase.

उसने बड़ी मेहनत से यह मुकाम पाया है। (He achieved this position with great hard work.)

For a more intense version of 'hardly,' you can use शायद ही (shāyad hī). While कठिनाई से implies something happened with effort, 'shāyad hī' implies something almost never happens. For example, 'I hardly ever go there' would be मैं वहाँ शायद ही कभी जाता हूँ. In very formal or literary Hindi, you might encounter दुस्तरता से (dustartā sē) or क्लेशपूर्वक (klēshpūrvak). These are highly Sanskritized and are rarely heard in conversation, but they appear in classical poetry and religious texts. They emphasize the 'pain' or 'impassability' of the difficulty.
Comparison Table
  • आसानी से: Easily (The direct antonym).
  • सरलता से: Simply/Easily (More formal antonym).
  • भारी मन से: With a heavy heart (Emotional difficulty).
  • जद्दोजहद से: With a struggle (Urdu-origin, very expressive).
Lastly, the phrase रो-धोकर (ro-dhokar) is a colorful idiom that literally means 'after crying and washing.' It is used informally to mean 'after much complaining and difficulty.' For example, 'I finished the project ro-dhokar' implies you hated it and it was a massive struggle. While कठिनाई से is the standard, these variations allow you to express the exact flavor of the difficulty you are describing.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The root 'Kaṭh' in Sanskrit is also related to the word for 'wood' in some contexts, implying something as hard as wood.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /kə.ʈʰɪ.naː.iː seː/
US /kə.ʈʰɪ.naɪ seɪ/
Primary stress is on the third syllable 'naa'. Secondary stress on the first syllable 'ka'.
Reimt sich auf
Bhalai se Burai se Safai se Kamai se Padhai se Ladhai se Mehangai se Gehrai se
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing 'th' like the English 'the'.
  • Making the 'i' in 'Kathin' too long.
  • Dropping the 'h' in the aspirated 'th'.
  • Pronouncing 'se' like 'see' instead of 'say'.
  • Not curling the tongue back for the retroflex 'th'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize once the root 'Kathin' is known.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering the 'th' aspiration and the postposition 'se'.

Sprechen 4/5

Retroflex 'th' and 'n' can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 3/5

Might be confused with 'Mushkil se' in fast speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

कठिन से काम करना होना

Als Nächstes lernen

मुश्किल से आसानी से सावधानी से सफलता प्रयास

Fortgeschritten

दुस्तरता क्लेश जद्दोजहद बाधा चुनौती

Wichtige Grammatik

Adverb Formation with 'Se'

Noun (कठिनाई) + से = Adverb (With difficulty).

Postposition Placement

Adverbial phrases usually come before the verb.

Intensifier Agreement

'Badi' is used with 'Kathinaai' because 'Kathinaai' is feminine.

Transitive Verb Construction

Maine (Subject + ne) + Adverb + Verb.

Invariable Adverbs

'Kathinaai se' does not change for gender/number.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

मैं कठिनाई से चल रहा हूँ।

I am walking with difficulty.

Simple present continuous using 'se' as an adverbial marker.

2

वह कठिनाई से पढ़ता है।

He reads with difficulty.

Present indefinite tense showing a habitual struggle.

3

मैंने कठिनाई से पानी पिया।

I drank water with difficulty.

Past indefinite tense.

4

क्या तुम कठिनाई से काम करते हो?

Do you work with difficulty?

Interrogative sentence.

5

वह कठिनाई से बोल रही है।

She is speaking with difficulty.

Feminine subject, but 'kathinaai se' remains unchanged.

6

बच्चा कठिनाई से सोता है।

The baby sleeps with difficulty.

Subject-Adverb-Verb order.

7

हम कठिनाई से यहाँ आए।

We came here with difficulty.

Plural subject.

8

वह कठिनाई से हँसा।

He laughed with difficulty.

Describes the manner of an emotion.

1

मैंने कठिनाई से अपना होमवर्क पूरा किया।

I finished my homework with difficulty.

Using 'apna' (my) with a past tense verb.

2

वह कठिनाई से बस में चढ़ी।

She boarded the bus with difficulty.

Verb 'chadhna' (to climb/board).

3

हमने कठिनाई से रास्ता ढूँढा।

We found the way with difficulty.

Transitive verb 'dhoondhna' in past tense.

4

वह कठिनाई से अंग्रेजी बोलता है।

He speaks English with difficulty.

Describing language proficiency.

5

आज मैं कठिनाई से उठा।

Today I woke up with difficulty.

Adverb of time 'aaj' used with the phrase.

6

मशीन कठिनाई से चल रही है।

The machine is running with difficulty.

Non-human subject.

7

उसने कठिनाई से दरवाजा खोला।

He opened the door with difficulty.

Action-oriented adverb use.

8

मछली कठिनाई से तैर रही है।

The fish is swimming with difficulty.

Present continuous.

1

उसने बड़ी कठिनाई से अपनी भावनाओं को छुपाया।

He hid his emotions with great difficulty.

Adding 'badi' to intensify the adverb.

2

वैज्ञानिकों ने कठिनाई से इस रहस्य को सुलझाया।

Scientists solved this mystery with difficulty.

Formal subject 'vaigyanikon'.

3

वह कठिनाई से अपनी नौकरी बचा पाया।

He was barely able to save his job.

Use of 'paana' to show capability/possibility.

4

हमने कठिनाई से उसे सच बोलने के लिए मनाया।

We persuaded him to tell the truth with difficulty.

Complex sentence with an infinitive 'bolne ke liye'.

5

मरीज़ कठिनाई से साँस ले रहा था।

The patient was breathing with difficulty.

Medical context.

6

उसने कठिनाई से अपनी पुरानी यादें ताज़ा कीं।

He recalled his old memories with difficulty.

Abstract action 'yaadein taaza karna'.

7

गाड़ी कठिनाई से पहाड़ पर चढ़ी।

The car climbed the mountain with difficulty.

Describing mechanical struggle.

8

मैंने कठिनाई से उसकी लिखावट पढ़ी।

I read his handwriting with difficulty.

Describing a cognitive struggle.

1

सरकार ने कठिनाई से नई नीति लागू की।

The government implemented the new policy with difficulty.

Formal/Political context.

2

वह कठिनाई से अपनी हँसी रोक सका।

He could hardly suppress his laughter.

Use of 'sakna' (could).

3

भारी बारिश में हम कठिनाई से घर पहुँच पाए।

We were barely able to reach home in the heavy rain.

Contextualizing the difficulty with 'bhari baarish mein'.

4

उसने कठिनाई से अपने गुस्से पर काबू पाया।

He controlled his anger with difficulty.

Abstract noun 'gussa' (anger).

5

लेखक ने कठिनाई से अपना उपन्यास पूरा किया।

The author completed his novel with difficulty.

Creative struggle.

6

यह सच उसने कठिनाई से स्वीकार किया।

He accepted this truth with difficulty.

Psychological struggle.

7

कम्पनी ने कठिनाई से अपना घाटा कम किया।

The company reduced its loss with difficulty.

Business context.

8

उसने कठिनाई से अपने डर पर जीत हासिल की।

He conquered his fear with difficulty.

Idiomatic 'jeet haasil karna'.

1

दार्शनिक ने कठिनाई से अस्तित्व के प्रश्नों का उत्तर दिया।

The philosopher answered questions of existence with difficulty.

High-level vocabulary 'darshanik', 'astitva'.

2

न्यायाधीश ने कठिनाई से अपना फैसला सुनाया।

The judge delivered the verdict with difficulty.

Legal context.

3

वह अपनी बीमारी से कठिनाई से उबर पाया।

He recovered from his illness with great difficulty.

Verb 'ubarna' (to recover/emerge).

4

इस जटिल कविता का अर्थ कठिनाई से समझ आता है।

The meaning of this complex poem is understood with difficulty.

Passive-style construction.

5

उसने कठिनाई से अपनी गरिमा बनाए रखी।

He maintained his dignity with difficulty.

Abstract concept 'garima' (dignity).

6

विदेशी मुद्रा भंडार में कठिनाई से सुधार हुआ।

The foreign exchange reserves improved with difficulty.

Technical economic context.

7

उसने कठिनाई से अपने अतीत को पीछे छोड़ा।

He left his past behind with difficulty.

Metaphorical use.

8

समाज ने कठिनाई से इस बदलाव को अपनाया।

Society accepted this change with difficulty.

Sociological context.

1

सभ्यता ने कठिनाई से बर्बरता के युग को पार किया।

Civilization crossed the era of barbarism with difficulty.

Grand historical narrative.

2

उसकी आवाज़ में कठिनाई से दबी हुई टीस महसूस की जा सकती थी।

A suppressed pang could be felt in his voice with difficulty.

Extremely nuanced emotional description.

3

वैज्ञानिक सिद्धांतों को कठिनाई से ही आम जनता के लिए सरल बनाया जा सकता है।

Scientific principles can only be simplified for the general public with difficulty.

Complex passive structure with 'hi' for emphasis.

4

उसने कठिनाई से अपने सिद्धांतों और व्यवहार के बीच तालमेल बिठाया।

He reconciled his principles and behavior with difficulty.

Philosophical 'taalmel bithana'.

5

इस प्राचीन लिपि को कठिनाई से पढ़ा जा सका है।

This ancient script has been read with difficulty.

Perfective passive.

6

कूटनीतिक वार्ताओं में कठिनाई से सहमति बनी।

Consensus was reached in diplomatic talks with difficulty.

Formal diplomatic terminology.

7

उसने कठिनाई से अपनी अंतरात्मा की आवाज़ सुनी।

He heard the voice of his conscience with difficulty.

Introspective context.

8

प्रकृति के प्रकोप से गाँव कठिनाई से बच पाया।

The village barely survived the wrath of nature.

Literary 'prakop' (wrath).

Häufige Kollokationen

कठिनाई से चलना
कठिनाई से बोलना
कठिनाई से समझना
कठिनाई से पाना
कठिनाई से पहचानना
कठिनाई से गुज़रना
बड़ी कठिनाई से
कठिनाई से बचना
कठिनाई से स्वीकार करना
कठिनाई से सांस लेना

Häufige Phrasen

कठिनाई से ही

— Only with difficulty; emphasizes that there was no other way.

कठिनाई से ही लक्ष्य प्राप्त होगा।

बड़ी कठिनाई से

— With great difficulty; used for extreme situations.

बड़ी कठिनाई से वह बच सका।

कठिनाई से भरा

— Full of difficulty; usually describes a path or life.

उसका जीवन कठिनाई से भरा है।

कठिनाई से निकलना

— To emerge from a difficult situation.

हम इस समस्या से कठिनाई से निकले।

कठिनाई से काम करना

— To work under difficult conditions.

मजदूर धूप में कठिनाई से काम करते हैं।

कठिनाई से सीखना

— To learn something with effort.

मैंने तैरना कठिनाई से सीखा।

कठिनाई से मनाना

— To persuade someone with great effort.

पिताजी को कठिनाई से मनाया।

कठिनाई से गुजरना

— To pass through a hard time.

वह कठिनाई से गुजर रहा है।

कठिनाई से देखना

— To see something with effort (e.g., in the dark).

अँधेरे में वह कठिनाई से देख पा रहा था।

कठिनाई से रुकना

— To stop with effort (e.g., heavy vehicle).

ट्रक कठिनाई से रुका।

Wird oft verwechselt mit

कठिनाई से vs कठिन

This is an adjective (difficult). Use it to describe things, not how you do things.

कठिनाई से vs कठिनाइयाँ

This is the plural noun (difficulties). Use it when talking about problems, not the manner of an action.

कठिनाई से vs कठोर

This means 'harsh' or 'rigid' (like a person's heart or a stone), not necessarily 'difficult'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"लोहे के चने चबाना"

— To perform a very difficult task; literally 'to chew iron chickpeas'.

IAS परीक्षा पास करना लोहे के चने चबाने जैसा है।

Informal/Idiomatic
"नाकों चने चबवाना"

— To make someone work extremely hard or face great difficulty.

भारतीय सेना ने दुश्मनों को नाकों चने चबवा दिए।

Informal/Idiomatic
"पसीने छूटना"

— To be in great difficulty or to sweat with effort/anxiety.

पेपर देखकर मेरे पसीने छूट गए।

Colloquial
"एड़ी-चोटी का ज़ोर लगाना"

— To try with all one's might (often results in achieving something 'kathinaai se').

उसने मैच जीतने के लिए एड़ी-चोटी का ज़ोर लगा दिया।

Common
"पहाड़ टूटना"

— To face a sudden, massive difficulty.

पिता की मृत्यु के बाद उस पर दुखों का पहाड़ टूट पड़ा।

Literary
"आँखों में धूल झोंकना"

— To deceive someone (getting away with it 'kathinaai se').

चोर पुलिस की आँखों में धूल झोंककर भाग गया।

Common
"अग्नि परीक्षा"

— A very difficult test or ordeal.

यह प्रोजेक्ट उसके लिए एक अग्नि परीक्षा है।

Formal
"दाँतों तले उँगली दबाना"

— To be amazed by someone's difficult achievement.

उसकी बहादुरी देखकर सबने दाँतों तले उँगली दबा ली।

Common
"खून-पसीना एक करना"

— To work extremely hard.

किसान ने फसल के लिए खून-पसीना एक कर दिया।

Common
"जान हथेली पर रखना"

— To risk one's life in a difficult situation.

सैनिक जान हथेली पर रखकर सीमा की रक्षा करते हैं।

Formal/Poetic

Leicht verwechselbar

कठिनाई से vs मुश्किल से

They mean the same thing.

'Mushkil se' is from Urdu/Persian and is more informal; 'Kathinaai se' is from Sanskrit and is more formal.

Use 'mushkil se' with friends, 'kathinaai se' in an exam.

कठिनाई से vs शायद ही

Both can translate to 'hardly'.

'Shayad hi' means 'rarely' (frequency); 'Kathinaai se' means 'with effort' (manner).

I hardly (rarely) eat meat vs. I hardly (with difficulty) ate the meat.

कठिनाई से vs बारीकी से

Both describe the manner of an action.

'Baariki se' means 'minutely' or 'with detail'; 'Kathinaai se' means 'with struggle'.

Look at the map 'baariki se' to find the road 'kathinaai se'.

कठिनाई से vs मेहनत से

Both imply effort.

'Mehnat se' is positive (hard work); 'Kathinaai se' can be neutral or negative (struggle/obstacle).

I built this 'mehnat se' (proud) vs. I survived 'kathinaai se' (relief).

कठिनाई से vs कष्ट से

Both imply difficulty.

'Kasht se' specifically implies physical or mental pain/suffering.

The injured man moved 'kasht se'.

Satzmuster

A1

S + Adverb + V

मैं कठिनाई से पढ़ता हूँ।

A2

S + O + Adverb + V

मैंने रास्ता कठिनाई से ढूँढा।

B1

S + Intensifier + Adverb + V

वह बड़ी कठिनाई से चला।

B2

Context + S + Adverb + V

भीड़ में मैंने उसे कठिनाई से देखा।

C1

Abstract S + Adverb + V

सत्य कठिनाई से स्वीकार किया जाता है।

C2

Passive + Adverb + V

यह काम कठिनाई से किया जा सका।

General

Interrogative + Adverb + V?

क्या वह कठिनाई से बोलता है?

General

Negative + Adverb + V

वह कठिनाई से नहीं बोलता।

Wortfamilie

Substantive

कठिनाई (Difficulty)
कठिनता (Hardness/Difficulty)

Verben

कठिन होना (To be difficult)

Adjektive

कठिन (Difficult/Hard)

Verwandt

मुश्किल
कष्ट
श्रम
प्रयास
बाधा
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frequency

Very frequent in both spoken and written Hindi.

Häufige Fehler
  • वह कठिनाई बोलता है। → वह कठिनाई से बोलता है।

    Missing the postposition 'se'. Without it, 'Kathinaai' is just a noun and doesn't function as an adverb.

  • यह काम कठिनाई से है। → यह काम कठिन है।

    Using the adverbial phrase to describe a noun (the work). Use the adjective 'Kathin' instead.

  • मैं उसे कठिनाई से जानता हूँ। → मैं उसे शायद ही जानता हूँ।

    Using 'Kathinaai se' to mean 'hardly' in the sense of 'barely knowing'. 'Shayad hi' is for rarity.

  • बड़ा कठिनाई से। → बड़ी कठिनाई से।

    'Kathinaai' is a feminine noun, so the adjective 'Badi' must be used instead of the masculine 'Bada'.

  • वह कठिनाइयों से चला। → वह कठिनाई से चला।

    Pluralizing the adverbial phrase. It should remain singular when used as a standard adverb of manner.

Tipps

The 'Se' Rule

Always pair 'Kathinaai' with 'se' when you want to describe an action. Think of 'se' as the glue that turns the noun into a description of 'how'.

Root Recognition

Learn the root word 'Kathin' (hard). If you see it in any word, you know it relates to something difficult or rigid.

Aspiration Check

Put your hand in front of your mouth. When you say 'thin' in 'Kathin', you should feel a distinct puff of air.

Formal Situations

Use 'Kathinaai se' in job interviews or when writing formal emails to sound more educated and professional.

Effort vs. Rarity

Don't use this for 'hardly' if you mean something rarely happens. Use it when someone is actually trying hard.

The Eye Cut

Remember: A 'Cut-in-eye' (Kathinaai) makes things 'difficult'.

Postposition Focus

Hindi speakers often swallow the end of words. Listen closely for that 'se' sound after 'Kathinaai' to catch the adverb.

Word Order

Keep 'Kathinaai se' right before the verb for the most natural flow. 'Main kathinaai se likhta hoon' sounds better than 'Main likhta hoon kathinaai se'.

Respect the Struggle

Using this phrase to describe your Hindi learning journey will earn you respect from native speakers because it shows you value the effort.

The Easy Way

Always learn 'Aasani se' alongside 'Kathinaai se'. Practicing opposites helps lock both words in your memory.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Cut' + 'In' + 'Eye'. If you get a 'cut in your eye', it would be very 'difficult' to see! Kathin-aai.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person trying to push a giant boulder up a steep hill. The sweat and the strain represent 'Kathinaai se'.

Word Web

Effort Struggle Hard Barely Success Barrier Pain Work

Herausforderung

Try to describe three things you did today 'Kathinaai se' (e.g., waking up, driving in traffic, learning this word).

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'Kaṭhina' (कठिन) meaning hard, stiff, or cruel. The suffix '-āī' is added to create an abstract noun, and 'se' is the standard Hindi postposition for 'with/from'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Physical hardness or rigidity, which evolved into the metaphorical meaning of difficulty.

Indo-Aryan

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using it to describe someone's disability; ensure the tone is empathetic, not pitying.

English speakers might use 'hardly' to mean 'not at all', but in Hindi, 'Kathinaai se' almost always means the action was completed, just with effort.

Harivansh Rai Bachchan's poem 'Agneepath' describes a path full of difficulties. The movie 'Lagaan' shows a village winning a cricket match 'Kathinaai se'. Common proverb: 'Bina kasht ke phal nahi milta' (No fruit without pain).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Education

  • परीक्षा पास करना
  • सवाल हल करना
  • पाठ याद करना
  • डिग्री लेना

Travel

  • रास्ता ढूँढना
  • बस पकड़ना
  • पहाड़ चढ़ना
  • टिकट मिलना

Health

  • साँस लेना
  • चलना-फिरना
  • दवा निगलना
  • ठीक होना

Work

  • प्रोजेक्ट पूरा करना
  • मीटिंग अटेंड करना
  • टारगेट पाना
  • नौकरी बचाना

Daily Life

  • सुबह उठना
  • ट्रैफिक से निकलना
  • बाज़ार जाना
  • खाना बनाना

Gesprächseinstiege

"क्या आपको हिंदी सीखने में कठिनाई हो रही है?"

"क्या आपने कभी कठिनाई से कोई पहाड़ चढ़ा है?"

"आज आप ऑफिस कठिनाई से पहुँचे या आसानी से?"

"क्या यह फिल्म समझना कठिनाई से संभव है?"

"क्या आपने कठिनाई से अपना डर दूर किया?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

आज मैंने कौन सा काम कठिनाई से किया और क्यों?

एक ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जब आपने कठिनाई से किसी की मदद की।

क्या आपको लगता है कि कठिनाई से मिली चीज़ें ज़्यादा कीमती होती हैं?

अपने जीवन के सबसे कठिन दौर के बारे में लिखें जिसे आपने कठिनाई से पार किया।

अगर आपको कोई काम कठिनाई से करना पड़े, तो आप कैसा महसूस करते हैं?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, if you want to use it as an adverb like 'with difficulty'. Without 'se', it just means 'difficulty' (a noun).

In formal writing and news, yes. In daily conversation, 'Mushkil se' is more common.

No, adverbs in Hindi are 'avyay' (invariable). It stays 'Kathinaai se' regardless of who is performing the action.

Yes, 'Bahut' (very) or 'Badi' (big/great) are often used to intensify the difficulty.

The most common opposite is 'Aasani se' (easily).

Not really. For that context, 'Shayad hi' or 'Na ke barabar' is better. 'Kathinaai se' implies a struggle to do something.

It is feminine. That's why we say 'Badi' (feminine) instead of 'Bada' (masculine).

It is a retroflex aspirated 't'. Curl your tongue back and release a puff of air.

Yes, for dramatic effect or emphasis. 'कठिनाई से उसने अपनी आँखें खोलीं।'

Yes, it is used to describe the struggles of life or the difficulty of achieving a goal.

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writing

Write a sentence about climbing a hill with difficulty.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe how you woke up today using 'कठिनाई से'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I finished the book with great difficulty.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about a machine working with difficulty.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'कठिनाई से' to describe someone speaking a new language.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'We found the house with difficulty.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a formal sentence about a government policy.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a patient's breathing using the phrase.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'He hid his tears with difficulty.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about passing a hard exam.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe the movement of a car in heavy traffic.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I reached the office with difficulty.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about learning to swim.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'She opened her eyes with difficulty.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'कठिनाई से' in a question.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The rescue team reached the village with difficulty.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a child trying to carry a heavy bag.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'He accepted the truth with difficulty.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about a computer running slowly.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I could hardly recognize him.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Describe a time you did something with difficulty.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce 'कठिनाई से' clearly.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'I am walking with difficulty.' in Hindi.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain the difference between 'Kathin' and 'Kathinaai se'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'He speaks English with difficulty.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How would you tell a doctor you have trouble breathing?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask a friend if they found the house easily or with difficulty.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'I passed the exam with great difficulty.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Describe a difficult road using the phrase.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Tell someone you barely recognized them.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The machine is working with difficulty.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Describe waking up early on a cold morning.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'He opened the door with difficulty.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain why learning Hindi is 'Kathinaai se' for you.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Consensus was reached with difficulty.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Describe a heavy box being moved.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'I could hardly sleep last night.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Talk about a survival story using the phrase.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'We found water in the desert with difficulty.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask: 'Why are you walking with difficulty?'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to the sentence: 'वह कठिनाई से बोल रहा है।' What is he doing with difficulty?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Identify the adverb in: 'मैंने बड़ी कठिनाई से यह काम किया।'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Is the speaker describing a person or an action: 'वह कठिनाई से चला।'?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the tone of 'कठिनाई से' in a news report?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'रास्ता बहुत ऊबड़-खाबड़ था, हम कठिनाई से पहुँचे।' Why was it hard to reach?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'उसने कठिनाई से अपनी हँसी रोकी।' What did he try to stop?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Does the speaker sound happy or stressed when saying 'कठिनाई से'?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'मरीज को साँस लेने में कठिनाई है।' Where is the difficulty?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'कठिनाई से ही सफलता मिलती है।' What is needed for success?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Identify the synonym used in speech: 'मुश्किल से'.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'आज मैं कठिनाई से उठा।' When did the person wake up?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'मशीन कठिनाई से चल रही है।' Is the machine working perfectly?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'उसने कठिनाई से सच बोला।' Was it easy for him to tell the truth?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'भीड़ में मैंने उसे कठिनाई से देखा।' Where was the person seen?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen: 'वह कठिनाई से अपना होमवर्क करता है।' Is he a fast student?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 200 correct

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