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A2 adjective #900 am häufigsten 12 Min. Lesezeit

大変 (な)

taihen (na) Top 900

At the A1 level, learners should focus on the most basic uses of 'Taihen.' First, as an adverb meaning 'very' in polite set phrases like 'Taihen arigatou gozaimasu' (Thank you very much). Second, as a simple way to describe a busy or difficult situation, such as 'Shigoto wa taihen desu' (Work is hard). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex nuances; just think of it as a way to say 'it's a lot of work' or 'it's very [something].' It is a useful word for basic survival Japanese, especially when you want to show that you are working hard or to sympathize with a teacher or boss who looks busy. Remember that it is a 'na-adjective,' so if you want to say 'a tough job,' you say 'taihen na shigoto.' Practice saying 'Taihen desu ne' to show empathy when someone tells you they are busy. This small phrase will make you sound much more natural even with a limited vocabulary.

At the A2 level, you begin to distinguish 'Taihen' from other words like 'Muzukashii' (difficult). You should understand that 'Taihen' is about the effort, time, or energy required, while 'Muzukashii' is about the difficulty of understanding or solving something. You will also start using 'Taihen' in the past tense ('Taihen deshita') to talk about your day or a past event. You might use it to react to bad news: 'Taihen da!' (That's terrible!). This level also introduces the adverbial use in more contexts, such as 'Taihen yoku dekimashita' (Very well done). You should be comfortable using 'Taihen' to describe daily life struggles, like commuting, housework, or studying for tests. It becomes a key tool for social interaction, allowing you to acknowledge the 'hard work' culture of Japan. You should also be aware of the 'na' particle when it precedes a noun, a common point of confusion for A2 learners.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'Taihen' to describe more complex situations and express personal opinions about social issues. You will use it in structures like 'Taihen na koto ni naru' (to become a serious matter) to discuss consequences. You should also be able to use it in formal business settings, where 'Taihen' often replaces 'Totemo' to add a layer of professional respect. For example, 'Taihen osewa ni narimashita' (I have been very much in your debt). At this level, you should also start to recognize the difference between 'Taihen' and 'Tsurai' (emotionally painful) or 'Shindoi' (physically draining). You can use 'Taihen' to describe a project that is objectively demanding, while perhaps using 'Shindoi' to describe how you personally feel about it. Your ability to use 'Taihen' as a transition or a way to set the gravity of a story will improve, helping you tell more engaging and culturally appropriate anecdotes in Japanese.

At the B2 level, you use 'Taihen' with a high degree of precision. You understand its historical roots as 'Great Change' and can see how that meaning persists in news reports about 'Taihen na jiken' (a serious incident) or 'Taihen na higai' (terrible damage). You are comfortable using it in written Japanese, such as formal letters or reports, where it functions as a sophisticated intensifier. You can also use it to describe societal shifts or large-scale problems, moving beyond personal daily struggles. Your use of 'Taihen' in sympathy is now nuanced; you know exactly when to use 'Taihen desu ne' versus 'O-tsukaresama desu' or 'Goshinpai desu ne.' You can also use the word to describe people in a complex way, such as 'Taihen na doryoku-ka' (an incredibly hard worker), where 'Taihen' emphasizes the extraordinary nature of their effort. You are also aware of regional variations and how 'Taihen' might be used differently in various dialects, though you primarily stick to standard Japanese.

At the C1 level, 'Taihen' is a word you use to manipulate the tone and register of your speech. You can use it ironically or for emphasis in high-level debates. You understand the subtle difference between 'Taihen' and 'Hijou ni' (extremely) or 'Goku' (exceedingly), choosing 'Taihen' when there is a sense of human effort or situational gravity involved. You can analyze literature or classical texts where 'Taihen' might appear in its older sense of a 'great event' or 'uprising.' In professional negotiations, you use 'Taihen' to acknowledge the difficulty of a proposal without necessarily agreeing to it, using it as a linguistic buffer. You are also capable of using the word in its noun form in complex grammatical structures, and you can explain the etymological shift of the word to lower-level learners. Your mastery of 'Taihen' allows you to sound like a native speaker who is fully integrated into the nuances of Japanese social and professional life.

At the C2 level, your understanding of 'Taihen' is exhaustive. You are aware of its evolution from the Heian period through the Edo period, noting how its meaning shifted from 'extraordinary' to 'terrible' and finally to its modern multifaceted use. You can use the word in creative writing to evoke specific historical or emotional atmospheres. You are sensitive to the most minute differences in pitch and intonation that can change 'Taihen' from a cry of help to a sigh of relief or a formal intensifier. You can engage in academic discussions about the 'culture of Taihen' in Japan—how the word reflects the national value placed on perseverance and the recognition of others' labor. For you, 'Taihen' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a cultural artifact that you use with the same effortless grace and precision as a highly educated native speaker. You can also identify and use rare or archaic idiomatic expressions involving the kanji for 'Taihen' in specialized contexts.

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

大変 (な) in 30 Sekunden

Taihen is a versatile word meaning 'difficult,' 'tough,' or 'terrible' as an adjective, and 'very' or 'extremely' as an adverb in polite speech.
It focuses on the physical or mental effort required for a task, rather than the intellectual complexity (which is usually 'muzukashii').
The phrase 'Taihen desu ne' is a vital social tool in Japan used to show sympathy for someone's hard work or struggles.
Grammatically, it is a na-adjective, requiring 'na' before nouns, and it conjugates like a noun in its predicate form (e.g., taihen deshita).

The Japanese word 大変 (たいへん - taihen) is one of the most versatile and frequently encountered terms in the Japanese language. At its core, the word is composed of two kanji characters: 大 (dai), meaning 'big' or 'great,' and 変 (hen), meaning 'change' or 'strange.' Historically, the combination literally referred to a 'great change' or a significant event, often a catastrophic one. In modern Japanese, however, its meaning has branched out into three primary functions: a na-adjective meaning 'difficult' or 'tough,' a noun-like exclamation for 'terrible' or 'serious,' and an adverb meaning 'very' or 'extremely.'

The Adjectival Use (Tough/Hard): When used as a na-adjective, taihen describes a situation that requires a great deal of effort, physical or mental energy, or is generally burdensome. It is the go-to word for describing a busy workday, a demanding study schedule, or the exhaustion of raising children. Unlike the word muzukashii (difficult), which often implies a high level of intellectual complexity or technical skill, taihen focuses on the sheer amount of work or the overwhelming nature of the task. For example, solving a complex math problem is muzukashii, but working twelve hours a day for a week is taihen.
The Exclamatory Use (Serious/Terrible): In situations where something bad has happened—such as an accident, a fire, or a major mistake at work—you will hear people exclaim, 'Taihen da!' or 'Taihen desu ne!'. In this context, it translates to 'This is terrible!' or 'That's a big problem!' It conveys a sense of urgency and gravity. When you say 'Taihen desu ne' to someone who has just shared their troubles, you are offering deep sympathy, acknowledging that their situation is genuinely difficult and burdensome.
The Adverbial Use (Very/Extremely): In more formal or polite speech, taihen serves as a powerful intensifier, similar to totemo but with more weight. Phrases like 'Taihen arigatou gozaimasu' (Thank you very much) or 'Taihen oishii desu' (It is extremely delicious) are common in professional or respectful settings. It elevates the level of the adjective it modifies, suggesting that the quality being described is of a significant or 'great' degree, echoing the original kanji meaning of 'big change.'

毎日残業があって、本当に大変 (な)仕事です。
(Mainichi zangyou ga atte, hontou ni taihen na shigoto desu.)
Working overtime every day makes it a truly tough job.

あ、鍵を忘れました！大変だ！
(A, kagi o wasuremashita! Taihen da!)
Oh, I forgot my keys! This is a disaster!

Understanding the nuance between taihen and other 'difficult' words is key for A2 learners. While muzukashii is for things that are hard to solve or understand, taihen is for things that are hard to endure or complete due to volume, intensity, or emotional weight. If you are climbing a steep mountain, the path is taihen. If you are trying to understand a complex philosophical text, the content is muzukashii. This distinction helps you sound more natural and precise in your Japanese communication.

昨日の嵐は大変でしたね。
(Kinou no arashi wa taihen deshita ne.)
Yesterday's storm was quite terrible, wasn't it?

In summary, taihen is a linguistic Swiss Army knife. It allows you to describe a grueling task, react to a sudden crisis, or emphasize your gratitude. Its frequency in daily conversation makes it an essential word for any learner aiming for fluency and cultural competence in Japan.

Using 大変 (たいへん) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical flexibility. As a na-adjective, it follows standard Japanese adjective rules, but its role as an adverb and an exclamation adds layers of complexity. Let's break down the primary sentence patterns you will encounter.

Pattern 1: The Na-Adjective (Modifying Nouns): When taihen modifies a noun directly, you must include the particle な (na). This is most common when describing a job, a situation, or a period of time.

Structure: [Noun] + は + 大変な + [Noun] + です。
Example: 子育ては大変な仕事です。(Kosodate wa taihen na shigoto desu.) - Raising children is a tough job.
Pattern 2: The Predicate Form (Ending a Sentence): When taihen comes at the end of a sentence to describe the subject, the na is dropped, and it is followed by desu or da.

Structure: [Subject] + は + 大変 + です。
Example: 今週はとても大変でした。(Konshuu wa totemo taihen deshita.) - This week was very tough.
Pattern 3: The Adverbial Use (Modifying Verbs/Adjectives): In its adverbial form, taihen modifies other adjectives or verbs to mean 'very' or 'greatly.' In this case, no particle is needed between taihen and the word it modifies.

Structure: 大変 + [Adjective/Verb]
Example: 大変よくできました。(Taihen yoku dekimashita.) - You did very well. (Often seen on school assignments).

試験の準備は大変ですが、頑張ってください。
(Shiken no junbi wa taihen desu ga, ganbatte kudasai.)
Preparing for the exam is tough, but please do your best.

One of the most powerful ways to use taihen is in the phrase 'Taihen na koto ni naru', which means 'to become a serious situation.' This is used to warn someone of the consequences of an action. For example, 'If you don't finish this report, taihen na koto ni naru yo' (it will be a disaster/serious trouble).

遅刻したら、大変なことになりますよ。
(Chikoku shitara, taihen na koto ni narimasu yo.)
If you're late, it's going to be a serious problem.

In polite business emails, you will often see taihen used to apologize or express gratitude. 'Taihen osewa ni natte orimasu' is a standard opening that translates roughly to 'I am very much in your debt' or 'Thank you for your continued support.' Here, taihen adds a layer of professional sincerity that totemo lacks.

ご迷惑をおかけして、大変申し訳ございません。
(Gomeiwaku o okakeshite, taihen moushiwake gozaimasen.)
I am extremely sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Mastering these patterns allows you to navigate both the physical hardships of life and the social expectations of Japanese etiquette. Whether you are complaining about your commute or apologizing to a client, taihen provides the necessary weight to your words.

The word 大変 (たいへん) is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life, appearing in contexts ranging from casual family conversations to formal news broadcasts. Its meaning shifts slightly depending on the environment, making it a fascinating study in context-driven language.

In the Workplace (The Culture of Effort): In a Japanese office, taihen is a constant companion. You will hear it during the 'morning assembly' (chourei) when a manager describes a new project's scope. You will hear it at 8:00 PM when a colleague looks at your pile of paperwork and says, 'Taihen desu ne' (You've got it tough). In this setting, the word often carries a sense of shared burden and mutual respect for hard work. It is less about complaining and more about acknowledging the 'ganbaru' (do your best) spirit.
In News and Media (Crisis and Gravity): When you turn on the NHK news, taihen is used to describe the severity of natural disasters, economic shifts, or social issues. A reporter might say, 'Taihen na higai ga dete imasu' (Serious damage has occurred). Here, the word takes on its more literal 'great change' or 'catastrophic' meaning. It signals to the audience that the situation is out of the ordinary and requires immediate attention.
In the Home (Daily Struggles): Parents frequently use taihen when talking about their children. 'Kodomo ga futari iru to, mainichi ga taihen desu' (With two children, every day is a struggle). It covers everything from the physical exhaustion of cleaning up toys to the emotional stress of a crying baby. Friends use it to commiserate over high rent, long commutes, or difficult exams.

「最近、仕事はどう？」「プロジェクトが始まって、大変だよ。」
('Saikin, shigoto wa dou?' 'Purojekuto ga hajimatte, taihen da yo.')
'How's work lately?' 'The project started, so it's tough.'

You will also hear taihen in customer service. When a waiter spills a drink or a train is delayed, staff will use taihen as part of their apology: 'Taihen o-matase itashimashita' (I have kept you waiting for a very long time/I am very sorry for the wait). This adverbial use is a hallmark of 'Keigo' (honorific Japanese).

お忙しいところ、大変失礼いたしました。
(Oisogashii tokoro, taihen shitsurei itashimashita.)
I am very sorry to have disturbed you while you are busy.

In anime and manga, characters often shout 'Taihen da!' when a villain appears or a secret is revealed. It serves as a narrative device to heighten tension. In contrast, in a 'slice of life' drama, a character might sigh 'Taihen da naa...' while looking at a mountain of laundry, grounding the word in the relatable, mundane struggles of life.

Whether it is the 'very' of a polite thank you or the 'terrible' of a sudden accident, taihen is the pulse of Japanese situational awareness. Hearing it helps you gauge the 'temperature' of a room—is it a moment for hard work, a moment for sympathy, or a moment for urgent action?

While 大変 (たいへん) is a versatile word, English speakers often stumble when choosing between it and other words for 'difficult' or 'hard.' Understanding these pitfalls will help you avoid sounding unnatural or accidentally being rude.

Mistake 1: Taihen vs. Muzukashii: The most common error is using taihen when you mean 'intellectually challenging.' If a Japanese grammar point is hard to understand, it is muzukashii. If the homework assignment takes five hours to complete because there is so much of it, it is taihen.

Incorrect: この漢字の読み方は大変です。(This kanji's reading is taihen.)
Correct: この漢字の読み方は難しいです。(This kanji's reading is muzukashii.)
Mistake 2: Forgetting the 'Na' in Adjectival Use: Because taihen is often used as an adverb (without na) or as a standalone exclamation, learners often forget that it requires na when modifying a noun.

Incorrect: 大変仕事ですね。(Taihen shigoto desu ne.)
Correct: 大変な仕事ですね。(Taihen na shigoto desu ne.)
Mistake 3: Overusing it as 'Very' in Casual Speech: While taihen means 'very,' it is quite formal. In casual conversation with friends, using taihen to mean 'very' can sound a bit stiff or like you are trying too hard to be polite. Use totemo, sugoku, or meccha (slang) instead.

Casual: これ、めっちゃ美味しい！ (Kore, meccha oishii!)
Formal: 大変美味しくいただきました。(Taihen oishiku itadakimashita.)

✕ 日本語の文法は大変です。
○ 日本語の文法は難しいです。
(Japanese grammar is 'taihen' [physically/mentally exhausting] vs 'muzukashii' [complex].)

Another mistake is using taihen to describe a person's personality. In English, we might say 'He is a difficult person.' In Japanese, calling someone 'Taihen na hito' usually means they are going through a hard time or they cause a lot of trouble for others, but it doesn't quite mean 'stubborn' or 'hard to please' (for that, you might use 'mendokusai hito' or 'tsukiai nikui hito').

彼は今、大変な状況にいます。
(Kare wa ima, taihen na joukyou ni imasu.)
He is in a difficult situation right now (NOT: He is a difficult person).

Finally, be careful with the word taihen in response to a compliment. If someone says 'Your Japanese is great!', responding with 'Taihen desu' would be confusing. You should use 'Iie, mada mada desu' (No, I still have a long way to go). Taihen is for the struggle, not for the modesty of skill.

Japanese has a rich vocabulary for expressing difficulty, pain, and effort. While 大変 (たいへん) is the most common all-rounder, knowing its alternatives will make your Japanese sound more nuanced and native-like.

1. 難しい (Muzukashii) - Intellectually Difficult: As mentioned, muzukashii is for things that are hard to solve, understand, or achieve. It is the opposite of yasashii (easy).
Comparison: A math problem is muzukashii. Grading 100 math problems is taihen.
2. 辛い (Tsurai) - Emotionally Painful/Hard to Endure: Tsurai is used when a situation is emotionally heart-breaking or physically painful to the point of wanting to cry.
Comparison: A long commute is taihen. A breakup or the death of a pet is tsurai.
3. しんどい (Shindoi) - Physically Exhausting/Draining: Shindoi is a more colloquial word, very common in the Kansai region but used nationwide, to describe feeling 'beat' or 'worn out.'
Comparison: Taihen is the objective difficulty of the task; shindoi is the subjective feeling of exhaustion you have because of it.
4. 厳しい (Kibishii) - Strict/Harsh: Used for strict teachers, harsh winters, or demanding standards.
Comparison: Training for a marathon is taihen because of the work. The coach who makes you do it is kibishii.

「昨日は残業で大変だったよ。」「それはしんどいね。」
('Kinou wa zangyou de taihen datta yo.' 'Sore wa shindoi ne.')
'Yesterday was tough with overtime.' 'That sounds exhausting.'

Another interesting alternative is Mendokusai (Bothersome/Pain-in-the-neck). While taihen implies a worthy struggle, mendokusai implies that the task is annoying and you don't want to do it. If you have to fill out 50 forms, it's taihen (hard work) but also mendokusai (annoying).

宿題がたくさんあって、大変だし、面倒くさいです。
(Shukudai ga takusan atte, taihen dashi, mendokusai desu.)
There's so much homework; it's tough and it's a hassle.

By expanding your vocabulary beyond taihen, you can more accurately describe the specific flavor of 'hard' you are experiencing. This not only helps with clarity but also allows you to connect more deeply with Japanese speakers by matching their emotional register.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

"大変光栄に存じます。"

Neutral

"仕事が大変で疲れた。"

Informell

"うわ、大変！鍵がない！"

Child friendly

"お片付け、大変だけど頑張ろうね。"

Umgangssprache

"マジで大変なんだけど。"

Wusstest du?

In the past, 'Taihen' was almost exclusively used for disasters like earthquakes or fires. Its shift to meaning 'very' or 'hard work' is a relatively modern development in the language's history.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /taɪ.hen/

US /taɪ.hɛn/

In Japanese, pitch accent is more important than stress. 'Taihen' typically has a low-high-high-high (LHHH) pattern in Tokyo dialect.

Reimt sich auf

Saizen (Best) Kaizen (Improvement) Raizen (Thunder) Haiten (Scoring) Mainen (Every year) Kaiten (Opening/Rotation) Saiten (Festival) Daiten (Large store)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'tai' like 'tay' (as in 'day'). It should be 'tie'.
Over-stressing the 'hen' like an English word. Japanese syllables have relatively equal length.
Forgetting that 'n' at the end is a full syllable in Japanese.
Confusing the pitch with 'taihen' (adverb) vs 'taihen' (adjective) in specific regional dialects.
Not elongating the 'n' when expressing deep sympathy.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

The kanji are common (N4/N5 level), but the meaning depends on context.

Schreiben 3/5

The kanji 'Hen' (変) can be slightly tricky for beginners to write perfectly.

Sprechen 1/5

Very easy to pronounce and use in daily conversation.

Hören 2/5

Need to distinguish between the 'tough' and 'very' meanings based on tone.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

大 (Big) 変 (Strange/Change) とても (Very) 難しい (Difficult)

Als Nächstes lernen

辛い (Tsurai) しんどい (Shindoi) 厳しい (Kibishii) 面倒くさい (Mendokusai)

Fortgeschritten

遺憾 (Ikan) 恐縮 (Kyoushuku) 未曾有 (Mizou - Unprecedented)

Wichtige Grammatik

Na-adjective conjugation

大変だ (Present), 大変だった (Past), 大変ではない (Negative)

Adverbial use of adjectives

大変おいしい (Very delicious)

Sou (Looks like) with na-adjectives

大変そうです (Looks tough)

Noun modification with 'na'

大変な状況 (A tough situation)

Te-form for reasons

忙しくて大変です (I'm busy, so it's tough)

Beispiele nach Niveau

仕事は大変です。

Work is hard.

Simple predicate use of taihen.

大変ありがとうございます。

Thank you very much.

Adverbial use meaning 'very'.

毎日の勉強は大変ですか？

Is daily studying tough?

Question form.

大変な仕事ですね。

That's a tough job, isn't it?

Na-adjective modifying a noun.

昨日は大変でした。

Yesterday was tough.

Past tense.

大変おいしいです。

It is very delicious.

Adverbial use with an i-adjective.

お母さんは大変です。

Being a mother is hard.

Describing a role/person's situation.

あ、大変だ！

Oh, no! / It's a disaster!

Exclamatory use.

一人で引っ越しをするのは大変です。

Moving house by yourself is tough.

Describing a specific action as taihen.

大変なことになりました。

Something serious has happened.

Common phrase for a serious situation.

この本は大変役に立ちました。

This book was very useful.

Adverbial use modifying a verb.

テストの準備は大変でしたか？

Was the test preparation tough?

Past tense question.

雨が降って、大変でしたね。

It rained, so it was a struggle, wasn't it?

Sympathy for a situation.

大変失礼いたしました。

I am very sorry for my rudeness.

Formal apology.

朝、電車が遅れて大変でした。

The train was late this morning, so it was a mess.

Describing a common daily struggle.

彼は大変な努力家です。

He is an incredibly hard worker.

Taihen na + noun (person).

新しいプロジェクトのリーダーは大変そうです。

The leader of the new project looks like they have it tough.

Taihen + sou (looks like).

大変お待たせいたしました。

I am very sorry to have kept you waiting.

Standard polite service phrase.

もし火事になったら大変です。

It would be terrible if a fire broke out.

Hypothetical 'taihen'.

彼は大変なショックを受けています。

He is in a state of great shock.

Modifying an emotional state.

子育てと仕事を両立させるのは大変なことです。

Balancing child-rearing and work is a difficult thing.

Taihen na koto (a difficult thing).

大変申し訳ございませんが、明日は休ませてください。

I am extremely sorry, but please let me take tomorrow off.

Formal request with apology.

この地域は冬、雪が多くて大変です。

This area is tough in winter because there is so much snow.

Describing environmental difficulty.

大変な人気で、チケットが買えませんでした。

It was so popular that I couldn't buy a ticket.

Taihen na + noun (popularity).

不景気で、どの会社も大変な状況にあります。

Due to the recession, every company is in a difficult situation.

Describing economic/social context.

大変な騒ぎになって、警察が来ました。

It became a huge uproar, and the police came.

Taihen na sawagi (huge uproar).

ご多忙の折、大変恐縮ですが、ご検討をお願いします。

I am very sorry to bother you while you are busy, but please consider this.

High-level business Keigo.

彼は大変な才能の持ち主だ。

He is the possessor of great talent.

Formal description of ability.

そのニュースを聞いて、大変驚きました。

I was greatly surprised to hear that news.

Adverbial use with a verb of emotion.

地震で大変な被害が出ました。

The earthquake caused terrible damage.

Describing disaster impact.

大変な間違いをしてしまった。

I made a terrible mistake.

Emphasizing the gravity of an error.

彼女は大変な苦労をして、大学を卒業した。

She went through great hardships to graduate from university.

Taihen na kurou (great hardships).

今回の不祥事は、会社にとって大変な痛手となるだろう。

This scandal will likely be a serious blow to the company.

Taihen na itade (serious blow/damage).

大変失礼ながら、その意見には賛成しかねます。

With all due respect, I cannot agree with that opinion.

Cushioning a disagreement.

彼は大変な自信家で、周囲を圧倒している。

He is an incredibly confident person, overwhelming those around him.

Taihen na + personality trait noun.

その計画を実行するには、大変な困難が予想される。

Great difficulties are expected in executing that plan.

Formal prediction of difficulty.

大変な反響を呼び、増刷が決定した。

It received a huge response, and a reprint has been decided.

Taihen na hankyou (huge response).

ご期待に沿えず、大変遺憾に存じます。

I find it extremely regrettable that we could not meet your expectations.

Highly formal 'ikan' (regret).

それは大変な名誉なことです。

That is a very great honor.

Emphasizing honor/prestige.

大変な覚悟を持って、この仕事に臨んでいる。

I am approaching this job with great resolve.

Taihen na kakugo (great resolve).

明治維新という大変革を経て、日本は近代化へと突き進んだ。

Through the great transformation of the Meiji Restoration, Japan rushed toward modernization.

Using 'taihen' as a prefix for 'henkaku' (transformation).

その一言が、後に大変な事態を招くことになるとは、誰も予想だにしなかった。

No one even imagined that those single words would later lead to such a dire situation.

Literary narrative style.

大変な重責を担うことになり、身の引き締まる思いです。

Having been tasked with such a heavy responsibility, I feel a sense of renewed focus.

Idiomatic expression of responsibility.

彼の理論は、当時の科学界に大変な衝撃を与えた。

His theory gave a massive shock to the scientific community of the time.

Describing historical impact.

大変な博識で知られる彼でも、その問いには答えられなかった。

Even he, known for his vast knowledge, could not answer that question.

Taihen na hakushiki (vast knowledge).

その出来事は、私の人生における大変な転換点となった。

That event became a major turning point in my life.

Taihen na tenkanten (major turning point).

大変な慈しみを持って、彼は孤児たちを育てた。

With great affection and mercy, he raised the orphans.

Taihen na itsukushimi (great affection/mercy).

この作品には、作者の変遷が大変顕著に表れている。

The author's transition is very prominently displayed in this work.

Academic art criticism.

Häufige Kollokationen

大変な仕事

大変な努力

大変な騒ぎ

大変な間違い

大変お世話になる

大変失礼

大変な状況

大変喜ぶ

大変役に立つ

大変な苦労

Häufige Phrasen

大変ですね

大変だ！

大変お待たせしました

大変なこと

大変申し訳ございません

大変よくできました

大変助かりました

大変な目に遭う

大変身

大変失礼しました

Wird oft verwechselt mit

大変 (な) vs 難しい (Muzukashii)

Taihen is about effort/burden; Muzukashii is about complexity/skill.

大変 (な) vs とても (Totemo)

Taihen is more formal and carries more 'weight' as an intensifier.

大変 (な) vs 酷い (Hidoi)

Hidoi means 'terrible' in a mean or low-quality way; Taihen means 'terrible' as in serious or hard.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"大変なことだ"

It's a serious matter. Used to emphasize the gravity of a situation.

これは大変なことだ、すぐに報告しよう。

Neutral

"大変な騒ぎになる"

To cause a huge stir or commotion.

有名人が来て、大変な騒ぎになった。

Neutral

"大変な思いをする"

To have a hard time or suffer through something.

病気で大変な思いをした。

Neutral

"大変な人気を博す"

To gain immense popularity.

その映画は大変な人気を博した。

Formal

"大変なショック"

A great shock.

その知らせは大変なショックだった。

Neutral

"大変な名誉"

A great honor.

賞をいただくのは大変な名誉です。

Formal

"大変な勢い"

Great force or momentum.

火は大変な勢いで燃え広がった。

Neutral

"大変な重労働"

Very heavy labor.

石を運ぶのは大変な重労働だ。

Neutral

"大変な覚悟"

Great determination/resolve.

大変な覚悟で留学を決めた。

Neutral

"大変な手間"

A lot of trouble/effort.

この料理は大変な手間がかかる。

Neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

大変 (な) vs 難しい

Both translate to 'difficult'.

Muzukashii is for puzzles, math, or understanding. Taihen is for labor, time, or stress.

このパズルは難しい (Puzzle is muzukashii). 1000個のパズルを作るのは大変 (Making 1000 puzzles is taihen).

大変 (な) vs 辛い

Both describe hard situations.

Tsurai is internal emotional pain. Taihen is external situational difficulty.

仕事が大変 (Work is taihen/busy). 仕事に行きたくなくて辛い (It's tsurai/painful because I don't want to go).

大変 (な) vs しんどい

Both mean 'tough'.

Shindoi is a subjective feeling of fatigue. Taihen is an objective description of the task.

階段を上るのは大変 (Climbing stairs is taihen/hard). もうしんどい (I'm already shindoi/tired).

大変 (な) vs 厳しい

Both imply difficulty.

Kibishii implies strict rules or harsh conditions. Taihen implies a lot of work.

先生は厳しい (Teacher is kibishii/strict). 先生の宿題は大変 (Teacher's homework is taihen/a lot).

大変 (な) vs 面倒くさい

Both are used for things we don't want to do.

Mendokusai is 'bothersome/annoying'. Taihen is 'hard/burdensome'.

皿洗いは大変 (Washing dishes is taihen/hard work). 皿洗いは面倒くさい (Washing dishes is a hassle).

Satzmuster

[Noun] は大変です。

仕事は大変です。

大変 [Adjective] です。

大変寒いです。

大変な [Noun] ですね。

大変な毎日ですね。

[Verb-te] 大変です。

歩いて大変です。

大変なことになる。

遅刻すると大変なことになる。

大変 [Verb-polite]。

大変助かりました。

大変な [Noun] を受ける。

大変なショックを受けた。

大変 [Adjective-formal] 存じます。

大変光栄に存じます。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Verben

Adjektive

Verwandt

So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely High (Top 500 words in daily Japanese).

Häufige Fehler

Using Taihen for 'hard to understand'. → Muzukashii
Taihen is for physical/mental burden, not intellectual difficulty.
Saying 'Taihen shigoto'. → Taihen na shigoto
Taihen is a na-adjective and requires 'na' before a noun.
Using Taihen as 'very' in very casual slang. → Sugoku / Meccha
Taihen is a bit too formal for 'very' when talking to close friends.
Using Taihen to mean 'a mean person'. → Hidoi hito
Taihen na hito means someone in a hard situation or a troublesome person, not necessarily a 'mean' one.
Confusing 'Taihen' with 'Tsurai'. → Tsurai (for emotional pain)
Taihen is for the situation; Tsurai is for the internal pain you feel.

Tipps

The 'Na' Rule

Always remember the 'na' when using 'Taihen' to describe a noun. 'Taihen na shigoto' is correct; 'Taihen shigoto' is not.

Sympathy Power

Use 'Taihen desu ne' whenever a coworker looks busy. It's the easiest way to make friends in a Japanese office.

Taihen vs Muzukashii

If it makes you sweat or lose sleep, it's 'Taihen.' If it makes your brain hurt, it's 'Muzukashii.'

Polite Intensifier

In emails, replace 'Totemo' with 'Taihen' to sound more professional and sincere.

Alarm Voice

If you see something dangerous, shout 'Taihen da!' to get people's attention immediately.

Past Tense

Use 'Taihen deshita' at the end of a long day to reflect on your hard work.

Tone Check

A long, drawn-out 'Taihennn' usually means the person is exhausted. A short 'Taihen!' means an emergency.

Kanji Meaning

Remember 'Big Change.' This helps you understand why it's used for both 'hard work' and 'disasters.'

The Ganbaru Spirit

Japanese people value the struggle. Calling something 'Taihen' is often a compliment to the person doing it.

Adverbial Use

You can use 'Taihen' before i-adjectives like 'Taihen samui' (Very cold) in polite speech.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'BIG (Dai) CHANGE (Hen)' in your life. A big change is usually 'tough' and 'difficult' to handle, and it makes you 'very' tired!

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person carrying a 'BIG' (大) rock while a 'STRANGE/CHANGE' (変) storm is happening. It looks like a 'taihen' situation!

Word Web

Hard Tough Serious Very Disaster Effort Sympathy Exhaustion

Herausforderung

Try to use 'Taihen desu ne' at least three times today when someone tells you about their busy schedule or a small problem they had.

Wortherkunft

The word originates from Middle Japanese, combining 'Dai' (Great) and 'Hen' (Change/Strange). It originally referred to an extraordinary or catastrophic event.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: A 'Great Change' or a major disaster/emergency.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful not to use 'Taihen' in a way that sounds like you are complaining too much about small things, as Japanese culture values stoicism. Use it more to sympathize with others.

English speakers often use 'difficult' or 'hard,' but rarely use 'terrible' as an adverb for 'very' in the same polite way Japanese uses 'taihen.'

The phrase 'Taihen da!' is frequently shouted by characters in anime like 'One Piece' or 'Naruto' during crises. Traditional Japanese folk tales often use 'taihen' to describe the aftermath of a dragon's appearance or a storm. Modern J-Pop lyrics often use 'taihen' to describe the struggles of young love or city life.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Workplace

大変な仕事
大変お世話になりました
大変申し訳ございません
仕事が大変です

Home/Family

子育ては大変
掃除が大変
大変な一日だった
お母さんは大変だ

Emergencies

大変だ！
大変なことになった
大変な事故
大変な騒ぎ

School/Study

試験が大変
大変よくできました
宿題が大変
大変役に立つ

Socializing

大変ですね
大変助かりました
大変失礼しました
大変喜ぶ

Gesprächseinstiege

"最近、仕事は大変ですか？ (Has work been tough lately?)"

"日本語の勉強で一番大変なことは何ですか？ (What is the hardest thing about studying Japanese?)"

"昨日、何か大変なことはありましたか？ (Did anything difficult happen yesterday?)"

"引っ越しは大変でしたか？ (Was moving house tough?)"

"大変な時、どうやってリラックスしますか？ (When things are tough, how do you relax?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日一番大変だったことを書いてください。 (Write about the toughest thing that happened today.)

今までで一番大変だった仕事は何ですか？ (What was the toughest job you've ever had?)

「大変なこと」を乗り越えた時のことを書いてください。 (Write about a time you overcame a 'serious situation'.)

子育てやペットの世話で大変なことは何ですか？ (What is difficult about raising children or pets?)

大変な状況にいる友人に、どのような言葉をかけますか？ (What words would you say to a friend in a difficult situation?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, but it sounds a bit formal. 'Totemo' or 'Sugoku' are more common in casual settings. Using 'Taihen' might make you sound like a polite student or a professional.

Not necessarily. While it usually describes a struggle, it can be used positively as an intensifier, like 'Taihen oishii' (Extremely delicious) or 'Taihen yoku dekimashita' (Very well done).

'Taihen da' is casual or an exclamation of alarm. 'Taihen desu' is the polite version used in normal conversation to describe a situation.

You say 'Taihen deshita' (polite) or 'Taihen datta' (casual).

Yes, but be careful. 'Taihen na hito' usually means someone who is going through a lot of trouble or someone who causes a lot of trouble for others. It doesn't mean 'a difficult personality' in the English sense.

It is a key part of Japanese social etiquette. It shows that you recognize and appreciate the effort someone else is putting in, which is very important for maintaining good relationships.

It is a na-adjective. This means you say 'Taihen na' before a noun and 'Taihen ja nai' for the negative.

Yes. If the exam has many questions and takes a long time, it's 'Taihen.' If the questions themselves are hard to solve, it's 'Muzukashii.' Usually, an exam is both!

It means 'It will become a serious matter' or 'Things will get bad.' It's a common way to warn someone of consequences.

While not a direct slang version, words like 'Yabai' can sometimes cover the 'Oh no!' or 'Extreme' meanings of 'Taihen' in very casual speech.