にくい
When you add the suffix 「にくい」 (nikui) to the stem of a verb, it means that something is difficult to do. For example, if you take the verb 「読む」 (yomu, to read), the stem is 「読み」 (yomi). Adding 「にくい」 makes it 「読みにくい」 (yominikui), which means "difficult to read" or "hard to read."
You can use this to describe things that are physically hard to do, or even things that are hard for you personally. It's a very practical way to express difficulty in Japanese.
When you attach the suffix 「にくい」 (nikui) to the ます-stem of a verb, it expresses that something is difficult to do.
For example, if you combine 飲む (nomu, to drink) with にくい, it becomes 飲みにくい (nominikui), meaning difficult to drink.
Another example: If you combine 書く (kaku, to write) with にくい, it becomes 書きにくい (kakinikui), meaning difficult to write.
It's a very practical way to describe challenges with actions.
When attached to the stem of a verb, the suffix -nikui (にくい) indicates that an action is difficult to perform or that something is difficult to act upon. It literally translates to “difficult to do.” This suffix is productive, meaning it can be attached to almost any verb to convey this meaning.
For example, if you combine taberu (食べる, to eat) with -nikui, you get tabenikui (食べにくい), which means “difficult to eat.” Similarly, kakinikui (書きにくい) means “difficult to write,” and minikui (見にくい) means “difficult to see” or “ugly.”
It’s important to distinguish -nikui from -gatai (がたい), another suffix with a similar meaning. While both indicate difficulty, -gatai often implies an inherent, strong, or moral difficulty, whereas -nikui can be used for more general or situational difficulties.
To use -nikui, simply remove the -masu ending from the polite form of a verb and attach -nikui. For example, nomimasu (飲みます, to drink) becomes nominikui (飲みにくい, difficult to drink).
When attached to the stem of a verb, the suffix ~にくい indicates that something is difficult or hard to do. It highlights a general difficulty or an inherent characteristic that makes an action challenging.
Think of it as adding "difficult to" or "hard to" directly after the verb's core meaning. For example, 食べにくい (tabe-nikui) means "difficult to eat" or "hard to eat." This difficulty can be due to various reasons, such as the object's texture, shape, or even the environment.
While it often refers to physical difficulty, it can also extend to conceptual challenges, though less frequently than more direct expressions of conceptual difficulty. It's a versatile suffix for expressing inherent or general obstacles to performing an action.
にくい en 30 secondes
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§ What does にくい (nikui) mean?
The Japanese suffix にくい (nikui) is a very useful word to learn. You attach it to the stem of a verb to express that something is "difficult to do," "hard to do," or even "unpleasant to do." It's a common phrase in everyday conversation, so understanding it will significantly boost your comprehension and ability to express yourself naturally in Japanese.
Think of にくい (nikui) as adding a sense of difficulty or inconvenience to an action. It's not about being impossible, but rather that the action presents some kind of challenge or hardship. For example, if a book is written in very complex language, you might say it's 読みにくい (yominikui), meaning "difficult to read." If a pair of shoes is uncomfortable, you might say they're 歩きにくい (arukinikui), meaning "difficult to walk in."
§ How to form にくい (nikui) phrases
Attaching にくい (nikui) to a verb is straightforward. You take the ます-stem (also known as the 連用形 ren'yōkei) of a verb and replace ます (masu) with にくい (nikui).
- Formation Rule
- Verb ます-stem + にくい
Let's look at a few examples:
- 飲む (nomu - to drink) → 飲みます (nomimasu) → 飲みにくい (nominikui - difficult to drink)
- 食べる (taberu - to eat) → 食べます (tabemasu) → 食べにくい (tabenikui - difficult to eat)
- 書く (kaku - to write) → 書きます (kakimasu) → 書くにくい (kakinikui - difficult to write)
- 見る (miru - to see/watch) → 見ます (mimasu) → 見にくい (minikui - difficult to see/ugly)
§ When do people use にくい (nikui)?
You use にくい (nikui) when the inherent nature of something makes an action difficult or unpleasant. It describes a characteristic or quality. Here are some common scenarios:
- Physical difficulty: If an object is heavy and hard to carry, you might say it's 持ちにくい (mochinikui - difficult to carry). If a pathway is steep and rocky, it's 歩きにくい (arukinikui - difficult to walk).
- Legibility/Visibility: Small font or bad handwriting makes text 読みにくい (yominikui - difficult to read). A blurry picture is 見にくい (minikui - difficult to see).
- Usability/Comfort: A chair that's uncomfortable to sit in is 座りにくい (suwarinikui - difficult/uncomfortable to sit in). A tool that's awkward to use is 使いにくい (tsukainikui - difficult to use).
- Social/Emotional difficulty: While less common than physical difficulty, you can also use にくい (nikui) to describe things that are emotionally hard to do, like 言いにくい (iinikui - difficult to say).
Here are some examples of にくい (nikui) in action:
この本は字が小さくて読みにくいです。
This book has small print and is difficult to read.
この靴は歩きやすそうに見えるけど、実はとても歩きにくいです。
These shoes look easy to walk in, but they are actually very difficult to walk in.
このペンはインクが出なくて書きにくいです。
This pen's ink isn't coming out, so it's difficult to write with.
Understanding when and how to use にくい (nikui) will allow you to describe everyday challenges and inconveniences much more naturally in Japanese. It's a foundational piece of vocabulary that will serve you well in your language journey.
The Japanese suffix にくい (nikui) is a super useful way to express that something is "difficult to do" or "hard to do." It’s often translated as "-hard" or "-difficult." Think of it like adding a negative nuance to a verb, indicating that the action is not easy to perform.
Let's break down how to use it correctly in sentences.
§ Basic Grammar: Verb Stem + にくい
The most common and straightforward way to use にくい is to attach it directly to the stem of a verb. Remember, the verb stem is what you get when you remove the ます (masu) from the polite form of a verb. For example, if you have 読みます (yomimasu, to read), the stem is 読み (yomi).
- DEFINITION
- Verb Stem + にくい
This structure changes the verb into an adjective, meaning "difficult to [verb]."
§ Examples with にくい
-
食べる (taberu - to eat) → 食べにくい (tabenikui - hard to eat)
このりんごは食べにくいです。(Kono ringo wa tabenikui desu.)
Hint: This apple is hard to eat.
-
読む (yomu - to read) → 読みにくい (yominikui - hard to read)
この字は小さくて読みにくいです。(Kono ji wa chiisakute yominikui desu.)
Hint: These characters are small and hard to read.
-
書く (kaku - to write) → 書きにくい (kakinikui - hard to write)
このペンは書きにくいです。(Kono pen wa kakinikui desu.)
Hint: This pen is hard to write with.
-
見る (miru - to see/watch) → 見にくい (minikui - hard to see/ugly)
この画面は光が反射して見にくいです。(Kono gamen wa hikari ga hansha shite minikui desu.)
Hint: This screen is hard to see because of the glare.
-
聞く (kiku - to hear/listen) → 聞きにくい (kikinikui - hard to hear/ask)
彼の声は小さくて聞きにくいです。(Kare no koe wa chiisakute kikinikui desu.)
Hint: His voice is quiet and hard to hear.
上司に給料の話は聞きにくいです。(Joushi ni kyuuryou no hanashi wa kikinikui desu.)
Hint: It's hard to ask my boss about salary.
§ Prepositions and Particles with にくい
Since にくい acts like an い-adjective, it behaves similarly to other い-adjectives in a sentence. You don't need any special prepositions directly before にくい itself. The particles you use will depend on the preceding nouns and verbs, just like in any other Japanese sentence.
The most common particle you'll see in sentences with にくい is が (ga), marking the subject that finds the action difficult.
この問題は解きにくいです。(Kono mondai wa tokinikui desu.)
Hint: This problem is hard to solve.
Here, 問題 (mondai - problem) is the subject that is difficult to solve.
§ にくい vs. づらい (dzurai)
§ How to make it negative
Since にくい is an い-adjective, you can make it negative by changing the い to くない (kunai).
- DEFINITION
- Verb Stem + にくくない (nikukunai)
This means "not difficult to do" or "easy to do."
この本は読みにくくないです。(Kono hon wa yominikunai desu.)
Hint: This book is not hard to read (i.e., it's easy to read).
Mastering にくい will significantly expand your ability to express common difficulties in Japanese. Practice using it with different verbs, and you'll get the hang of it quickly!
§ Don't Confuse -nikui with Muzukashii
One of the most common pitfalls for learners is mixing up the suffix -nikui with the adjective muzukashii (難しい), which also means 'difficult'. While both convey difficulty, they are used in different contexts. Muzukashii describes something that is inherently difficult or complex, like a hard math problem or a challenging task. -Nikui, on the other hand, expresses that an action is difficult to perform due to some characteristic of the subject or object involved.
- DEFINITION
- Muzukashii: The task itself is difficult.
この問題は難しいです。(This problem is difficult.)
- DEFINITION
- -Nikui: An action is hard to do because of a characteristic.
このペンは書きにくいです。(This pen is difficult to write with. - because it's scratchy, out of ink, etc.)
§ Incorrect Verb Stem Attachment
The suffix -nikui always attaches to the MASU-stem of a verb. Forgetting this rule will lead to incorrect and unnatural-sounding Japanese. For example, you cannot say *taberu-nikui for 'difficult to eat'. You must change taberu (食べる) to its MASU-stem, tabe (食べ), before adding -nikui.
- 食べる (taberu - to eat) becomes 食べにくい (tabe-nikui - difficult to eat)
- 書く (kaku - to write) becomes 書きにくい (kaki-nikui - difficult to write)
- 読む (yomu - to read) becomes 読みにくい (yomi-nikui - difficult to read)
この肉は食べにくいです。(This meat is difficult to eat. - maybe it's tough or chewy.)
§ Using -nikui for Mental/Emotional Difficulty
While -nikui can describe physical or practical difficulty, it's generally not used for abstract mental or emotional difficulties. For example, if you want to say 'it's difficult to forget' or 'it's difficult to understand someone's feelings', -nikui wouldn't be the most natural choice. Instead, you'd likely use phrases involving muzukashii or other specific expressions for emotional states.
- DEFINITION
- Incorrect use of -nikui for emotional difficulty.
*彼の気持ちは分かりにくい。(His feelings are difficult to understand - grammatically okay, but sounds less natural than using muzukashii when referring to abstract understanding difficulty.)
A more natural way to express the above would be:
彼の気持ちを理解するのは難しい。(It's difficult to understand his feelings.)
§ Overlooking Nuances with Intent
Sometimes, learners use -nikui when they actually mean that something is *unlikely* to happen, rather than difficult to do. While there can be overlap, -nikui focuses on the inherent difficulty of the action itself, not the probability of its occurrence.
彼は遅れにくい。(He is unlikely to be late. / He is difficult to be late - this usage is less common to express unlikelihood.)
For expressing unlikelihood, you'd typically use phrases like "...ことはあまりない" (...koto wa amari nai) or "...はずがない" (...hazu ga nai).
彼は遅れることはあまりない。(He is rarely late / unlikely to be late.)
How Formal Is It?
"致しかねます (It is difficult to do [we can't do it] - often used in business contexts to politely decline)."
"読みにくい (Hard to read)."
"書きづらい (Hard to write)."
"このおもちゃは使い方がむずかしいね (This toy is difficult to use, isn't it?)"
"このゲーム、マジだるいんだけど (This game is seriously a pain/annoying - implies something is bothersome or difficult in an irritating way)."
Niveau de difficulté
Common kanji for verbs it attaches to, kana for にくい.
Straightforward kana writing.
Simple pronunciation.
Easy to distinguish in conversation.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
Can be attached to the ます-stem of verbs to indicate difficulty in performing the action.
食べにくい (tabenikui) - difficult to eat
It changes verbs into i-adjectives, so it conjugates like an i-adjective.
この本は読みにくい (Kono hon wa yominikui). - This book is difficult to read.
The negative form is にくくない (nikukunai) or にくくありません (nikuku arimasen).
書きにくくない (kakinikukunai) - not difficult to write
It can be used to describe inherent difficulty or a situation that makes something difficult.
この字は小さくて見にくい (Kono ji wa chiisakute minikui). - These characters are small and hard to see.
Often contrasts with やすい (yasui), which means 'easy to do'.
これは食べやすい (Kore wa tabeyasui). - This is easy to eat. (vs. 食べにくい - difficult to eat)
Exemples par niveau
この本は読みにくい。
This book is difficult to read.
あの人は話しかけにくい。
That person is difficult to talk to.
この字は書きにくい。
These characters are difficult to write.
このいすは座りにくい。
This chair is difficult to sit on.
このかばんは持ちにくい。
This bag is difficult to carry.
この服は脱ぎにくい。
These clothes are difficult to take off.
このはしは使いにくい。
These chopsticks are difficult to use.
あの店は入りにくい。
That shop is difficult to enter.
この本は読みにくい。
This book is difficult to read.
あの人は話しかけにくい。
That person is difficult to talk to.
この漢字は書みにくい。
This kanji is difficult to write.
この靴は歩きにくい。
These shoes are difficult to walk in.
このペンは使いにくい。
This pen is difficult to use.
この料理は食べにくい。
This dish is difficult to eat.
このパソコンは持ち運びにくい。
This laptop is difficult to carry.
この問題は解きにくい。
This problem is difficult to solve.
この本は読みにくい。
This book is difficult to read.
Verb stem + にくい
この漢字は書きにくい。
This kanji is difficult to write.
Verb stem + にくい
このパソコンは使いにくい。
This computer is difficult to use.
Verb stem + にくい
この道は歩きにくい。
This road is difficult to walk on.
Verb stem + にくい
この靴は履きにくい。
These shoes are difficult to put on.
Verb stem + にくい
この料理は食べにくい。
This dish is difficult to eat.
Verb stem + にくい
この歌は歌いにくい。
This song is difficult to sing.
Verb stem + にくい
このペンは持ちにくい。
This pen is difficult to hold.
Verb stem + にくい
この本は字が小さくて読みにくい。
This book is hard to read because the letters are small.
このペンは書きにくい。
This pen is difficult to write with.
この道はとても歩きにくい。
This road is very difficult to walk on.
この靴は脱げにくい。
These shoes are hard to take off.
彼の話は理解しにくい。
His story is difficult to understand.
この問題は解きにくい。
This problem is difficult to solve.
この箱は持ちにくい。
This box is difficult to hold.
この色は他の色と合わせにくい。
This color is difficult to match with other colors.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
この本は字が小さくて読みにくい。
This book has small print and is hard to read.
この薬は苦くて飲みにくい。
This medicine is bitter and hard to drink.
この肉は硬くて食べにくい。
This meat is tough and hard to eat.
このペンはインクが出なくて使いにくい。
This pen has no ink and is hard to use.
彼の説明は専門的で分かりにくい。
His explanation is technical and hard to understand.
暗くて道が見にくい。
It's dark and hard to see the road.
その質問は聞きにくい。
That question is hard to ask.
この紙はザラザラしていて書きにくい。
This paper is rough and hard to write on.
このアパートは駅が遠くて住みにくい。
This apartment is far from the station and hard to live in.
この服はきつくて動きにくい。
These clothes are tight and hard to move in.
Souvent confondu avec
While both mean 'difficult to do', 「〜にくい」 often implies inherent or objective difficulty, whereas 「〜づらい」 often suggests subjective discomfort or emotional/physical difficulty for the speaker.
「〜がたい」 is more formal and usually paired with verbs of emotion or abstract thought, indicating a strong emotional/intellectual barrier, rather than physical difficulty like 「〜にくい」.
「難しい」 is an adjective describing something as difficult. 「〜にくい」 is a suffix attached to a verb stem to describe the action itself as difficult to perform.
Expressions idiomatiques
"読みにくい (yominikui)"
difficult to read
この文字は読みにくいですね。 (Kono moji wa yominikui desu ne.)
neutral"分かりにくい (wakarinikui)"
difficult to understand
説明が分かりにくいです。 (Setsumei ga wakarinikui desu.)
neutral"飲みにくい (nominikui)"
difficult to drink
この薬は飲みにくいです。 (Kono kusuri wa nominikui desu.)
neutral"食べにくい (tabenikui)"
difficult to eat
この魚は骨が多くて食べにくい。 (Kono sakana wa hone ga ookute tabenikui.)
neutral"見えにくい (mienikui)"
difficult to see
遠くて見えにくい。 (Tookute mienikui.)
neutral"聞きにくい (kikinikui)"
difficult to hear
周りがうるさくて聞きにくい。 (Mawari ga urusakute kikinikui.)
neutral"書きにくい (kakinikui)"
difficult to write
このペンは書きにくい。 (Kono pen wa kakinikui.)
neutral"話しにくい (hanashinikui)"
difficult to talk about
その件については話しにくい。 (Sono ken ni tsuite wa hanashinikui.)
neutral"住みにくい (suminikui)"
difficult to live in (a place)
この町は家賃が高くて住みにくい。 (Kono machi wa yachin ga takakute suminikui.)
neutral"立ちにくい (tachinikui)"
difficult to stand up
膝が痛くて立ちにくい。 (Hiza ga itakute tachinikui.)
neutralFacile à confondre
Both 「〜にくい」 and 「〜づらい」 mean 'difficult to do' and are attached to verb stems.
「〜にくい」 generally implies an inherent difficulty or an objective difficulty. For example, some things are just naturally hard to do. 「〜づらい」 often carries a nuance of emotional or physical discomfort, or a subjective difficulty for the speaker.
このペンは書きづらいです。(Kono pen wa kakizurai desu.) - This pen is difficult/uncomfortable to write with. (Perhaps it's scratchy or doesn't feel right for the user.)
Like 「〜にくい」, 「〜がたい」 also expresses difficulty in performing an action.
「〜がたい」 is more formal and often used with verbs that express emotions or abstract concepts, like 'believe', 'understand', 'forgive'. It suggests a strong emotional or intellectual barrier to doing something. It's less about physical difficulty.
彼の言葉は信じがたい。(Kare no kotoba wa shinjigatai.) - His words are hard to believe.
Both relate to difficulty.
「困難」 is a noun or an adjective (困難な) meaning 'difficulty' or 'difficult'. It's a standalone word, whereas 「〜にくい」 is a suffix attached to a verb stem. You'd use 「困難」 to describe a situation or task as difficult, not the act of doing something specifically.
それは困難な問題です。(Sore wa konnan na mondai desu.) - That is a difficult problem.
Both 「難しい」 and 「〜にくい」 mean 'difficult'.
「難しい」 is an i-adjective that describes something as 'difficult' or 'hard'. It can stand alone. 「〜にくい」 is a suffix attached to a verb stem to indicate that the action of that verb is difficult to perform. So, you can say 「この本は難しい」 (This book is difficult) or 「この本は読みにくい」 (This book is difficult to read). The latter focuses on the act of reading.
この漢字は難しい。(Kono kanji wa muzukashii.) - This kanji is difficult. (Generally difficult to understand/write.)
This is actually the verb する (suru) + にくい. Learners sometimes wonder if しにくい has a special meaning.
It's just the plain application of the 「〜にくい」 suffix to the verb する (to do). There's no special nuance beyond 'difficult to do'.
この靴は歩きにくい。(Kono kutsu wa arukinikui.) - These shoes are difficult to walk in.
Structures de phrases
Verb stem + にくい
この漢字は書きにくいです。
Noun + は/が + Verb stem + にくい
この本は読みにくい。
Verb stem + にくい + Noun
読みにくい字
～て + Verb stem + にくい
小さくて見にくい。
Aので/から + Verb stem + にくい
この道は狭いから運転しにくい。
Famille de mots
Noms
Adjectifs
Comment l'utiliser
When attached to the stem of a verb, the suffix 「にくい」 indicates that something is difficult or hard to do. This difficulty can be inherent in the action itself, or it can be a personal assessment by the speaker. It often implies a physical difficulty or an obstacle to performing the action. For instance, if a book is 「読みにくい」 (yominikui), it means it's hard to read, perhaps due to small print or complex language. If a pen is 「書きにくい」 (kakinikui), it means it's hard to write with, maybe because it's scratchy or uncomfortable to hold. It's often used when there's an external factor making the action challenging. Think of it as adding "-un-able" or "hard-to-" to a verb.
A common mistake is confusing 「にくい」 with 「づらい」 (zurai). While both express difficulty, they have a subtle but important difference.
「にくい」 tends to focus on external factors or inherent characteristics that make something difficult. It's more about the object or situation.
Example: このペンは書きにくい。(Kono pen wa kakinikui.) - This pen is hard to write with. (The pen itself is the problem.)
「づらい」 often emphasizes internal or emotional difficulty, or a reluctance to do something. It's more about the speaker's feeling or state.
Example: この本は読みづらい。(Kono hon wa yomizurai.) - This book is difficult to read. (Perhaps the content is emotionally heavy or the speaker is tired, making it hard for *them* to read.)
Another mistake is using 「にくい」 with adjectives or nouns directly. It only attaches to the verb stem.
Incorrect: 難しにくい (muzukashii-nikui) - You wouldn't say "difficult-difficult to do."
Correct: 読みにくい (yominikui) - difficult to read
Astuces
Basic Meaning of -にくい
The suffix -にくい attaches to the stem of a verb and means 'difficult to do' or 'hard to do'. It implies an inherent difficulty, rather than a temporary inability.
Formation with Verbs
To form -にくい, take the ます-stem (conjugate to ます form, then remove ます) of a verb and attach -にくい. For example, 食べます (tabemasu - to eat) becomes 食べにくい (tabenikui - difficult to eat).
Common Usage Examples
You'll often hear -にくい with verbs describing actions that can be challenging, like 読みにくい (yominikui - difficult to read), 書きにくい (kakinikui - difficult to write), or 分かりにくい (wakarinikui - difficult to understand).
Distinguishing from -づらい
While similar to -づらい, -にくい often suggests an objective or inherent difficulty (e.g., this book is difficult to read due to small font). -づらい can imply a more subjective or emotional difficulty.
Pronunciation Practice
The 'ni' in -にくい is pronounced like 'nee' in 'knee', and 'kui' is like 'coo-ee'. Pay attention to the double 'i' sound. Practice saying it aloud to get the natural flow.
Using with Nouns
Although primarily a verb suffix, -にくい can sometimes indirectly describe the difficulty of interacting with a noun. For instance, このペンは書きにくい (kono pen wa kakinikui - This pen is difficult to write with).
Opposite: -やすい
The antonym of -にくい is -やすい, which means 'easy to do'. Knowing both helps you express both sides of difficulty and ease. For example, 食べやすい (tabeyasui - easy to eat).
Formality of -にくい
-にくい is a common and versatile expression used in both casual and more formal settings. You don't need to worry about it being too polite or too casual in most situations.
Implied Reasons for Difficulty
Sometimes -にくい can imply a physical or inherent quality that makes something difficult. For example, この道は歩きにくい (kono michi wa arukinikui - This road is difficult to walk on) implies the road itself is rough or uneven.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Describing something that is hard to use or operate.
- このペンは書きにくいです。
- This pen is difficult to write with. (Perhaps it's clunky or the ink doesn't flow well.)
- このアプリは使いにくいです。
- This app is hard to use. (Maybe the interface is confusing.)
Talking about food that is difficult to eat.
- この肉は硬くて食べにくい。
- This meat is tough and hard to eat. (Could be undercooked or a tough cut.)
- 骨が多くて食べにくい魚です。
- It's a fish with many bones, making it difficult to eat. (Requires careful navigation to avoid bones.)
Explaining a situation that is hard to understand or see.
- 彼の説明は分かりにくい。
- His explanation is hard to understand. (Perhaps it's convoluted or uses jargon.)
- この字は小さくて読みにくい。
- These characters are small and hard to read. (Could be due to small font size or poor handwriting.)
Discussing things that are inconvenient or uncomfortable.
- この靴は歩きにくい。
- These shoes are hard to walk in. (Might be uncomfortable, ill-fitting, or have an awkward design.)
- この椅子は座りにくい。
- This chair is hard to sit in. (Could be uncomfortable, unstable, or poorly designed.)
Describing something that is difficult to fix or handle.
- この問題は扱いにくい。
- This problem is difficult to handle. (Could be complex, sensitive, or requires specialized knowledge.)
- この汚れは落ちにくい。
- This stain is hard to remove. (Perhaps it's set in or requires a strong cleaner.)
Amorces de conversation
"最近、何か「〜にくい」と感じたものはありますか？"
"Is there anything you've felt was 'difficult to do' recently?"
"日本の製品で「使いにくい」と感じたことはありますか？"
"Have you ever felt a Japanese product was 'hard to use'?"
"日本語の勉強で、どの部分が「分かりにくい」ですか？"
"In your Japanese studies, which part is 'hard to understand'?"
"友達に「言い出しにくい」ことはありますか？"
"Is there anything you find 'hard to bring up' with friends?"
"あなたが住んでいる場所で、交通機関が「使いにくい」と感じることはありますか？"
"Do you ever feel that public transport is 'hard to use' where you live?"
Sujets d'écriture
今日一日で「〜にくい」と感じたことを3つ書き出してみましょう。なぜそう感じたのか、理由も添えてください。
Write down three things you felt were 'difficult to do' today. Include your reasons why.
「〜にくい」と感じる状況を改善するために、自分に何ができるか考えてみましょう。
Think about what you can do to improve a situation you find 'difficult to do'.
過去に「〜にくい」と感じた経験で、最終的にそれを乗り越えた出来事を詳しく書いてみましょう。
Describe in detail a past experience where you felt something was 'difficult to do' but eventually overcame it.
もし、未来で「〜にくい」と感じるであろうことを予測できるとしたら、どんなことだと思いますか？
If you could predict something you would find 'difficult to do' in the future, what would it be?
あなたの周りのもので、「〜にくい」けれど、それがなぜか魅力的だと感じるものはありますか？その理由も説明してください。
Is there anything around you that is 'difficult to do' but you find charming for some reason? Explain why.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsにくい basically means 'difficult to do' or 'hard to do.' You attach it to the stem of a verb to show that the action of that verb is challenging or inconvenient to perform. Think of it as the opposite of やさしい (easy to do).
Sure! Let's take the verb 読む (yomu - to read). If something is difficult to read, you'd say 読みにくい (yominikui). For example, この字は読みにくいですね。 (Kono ji wa yominikui desu ne.) means 'These letters are difficult to read, aren't they?'
Not just physically! It can also refer to something being emotionally difficult, inconvenient, or even aesthetically unpleasant. For instance, 言いにくい (iiniikui) means 'difficult to say,' which is often about emotional difficulty.
You attach にくい to the ます-stem (or conjunctive form) of the verb. To get the ます-stem, you remove ます from the polite form of the verb. For example, 食べます (tabemasu) becomes 食べ (tabe) + にくい = 食べにくい (tabenikui - difficult to eat).
Yes, there's a key difference. 難しい (muzukashii) is an adjective that means 'difficult' in a general sense, like 'This math problem is difficult' (この数学の問題は難しい). にくい is a suffix that expresses the difficulty of doing a specific action. So, something might be 難しい (difficult) in concept, but not necessarily 読みにくい (difficult to read).
No, you don't typically combine にくい with negative verb forms. The 'difficult to do' meaning is already embedded. If you want to say 'easy not to do,' you'd use a different construction, like 〜ないやすい (naiyasui) or simply express it differently.
Absolutely! Some common ones include:
- 見にくい (minikui): Ugly, hard to look at
- 聞きにくい (kikinikui): Hard to hear, hard to ask
- 食べにくい (tabenikui): Hard to eat
- 歩きにくい (arukinikui): Hard to walk in/on (e.g., shoes, ground)
Like i-adjectives, にくい can be conjugated for politeness and tense. For example:
- 読みにくいです (yominikui desu): It is difficult to read (polite present)
- 読みにくかったです (yominikakatta desu): It was difficult to read (polite past)
- 読みにくくない (yominikunai): Not difficult to read (informal negative)
No, にくい is specifically a verb suffix. It describes the difficulty of performing an action. You wouldn't attach it directly to a noun. If you want to say a noun itself is difficult, you'd use 難しい (muzukashii).
When you use にくい, it often implies an inherent characteristic or a strong tendency. For example, このペンは書きにくい。 (Kono pen wa kakinikui.) means 'This pen is difficult to write with.' It suggests the pen itself makes the action hard. Saying 'It's not easy to write with this pen' is similar but doesn't always carry that same implication of an inherent difficulty with the item itself.
Teste-toi 126 questions
この字はとても書き___ですね。(This character is very hard to write, isn't it?)
The suffix '-にくい' means 'difficult to do'. Here, it indicates the character is difficult to write.
この本は漢字が多くて読み___です。(This book has many kanji, so it's hard to read.)
The suffix '-にくい' means 'difficult to do'. Here, it indicates the book is difficult to read.
この道は車が多くて運転し___です。(This road has many cars, so it's hard to drive on.)
The suffix '-にくい' means 'difficult to do'. Here, it indicates the road is difficult to drive on.
この料理は辛くて食べ___です。(This dish is spicy, so it's hard to eat.)
The suffix '-にくい' means 'difficult to do'. Here, it indicates the dish is difficult to eat.
この箱は大きくて持ち___です。(This box is big, so it's hard to carry.)
The suffix '-にくい' means 'difficult to do'. Here, it indicates the box is difficult to carry.
この歌は歌詞が早くて聞き___です。(This song's lyrics are fast, so it's hard to hear.)
The suffix '-にくい' means 'difficult to do'. Here, it indicates the song is difficult to hear.
Choose the correct way to say 'difficult to read' in Japanese.
Adding 'にくい' to the stem of a verb makes it 'difficult to do'. The stem of '読む' (yomu - to read) is '読み' (yomi).
Which sentence means 'This food is difficult to eat'?
'食べにくい' (tabenikui) means 'difficult to eat'.
How do you say 'difficult to understand'?
The stem of '分かる' (wakaru - to understand) is '分かり' (wakari). Adding 'にくい' (nikui) forms '分かりにくい' (wakarinikui).
The word '書きにくい' (kakinikui) means 'easy to write'.
'書きにくい' (kakinikui) means 'difficult to write', not 'easy to write'.
You can use 'にくい' with the verb '見る' (miru - to see) to say 'difficult to see'.
Yes, '見にくい' (minikui) means 'difficult to see' or 'ugly'.
The phrase '話しにくい' (hanashinikui) means 'difficult to speak'.
'話しにくい' (hanashinikui) is formed from '話す' (hanasu - to speak) and 'にくい', meaning 'difficult to speak'.
Is this book difficult to read?
This kanji is difficult to write.
Is this difficult to eat?
Read this aloud:
このペンは使いにくいです。
Focus: tsukai-nikui
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
この道は歩きにくいです。
Focus: aruki-nikui
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
この椅子は座りにくいです。
Focus: suwari-nikui
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You want to say that a certain kanji is 'hard to write'. How would you combine '書く' (kaku - to write) and 'にくい' (nikui - difficult to do)?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この漢字は書きにくいです。
You are trying to open a jar, and it's 'hard to open'. How would you express this using '開ける' (akeru - to open) and 'にくい'?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この瓶は開けにくいです。
Imagine you're eating something that's 'hard to eat'. How would you use '食べる' (taberu - to eat) and 'にくい'?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
このパンは食べにくいです。
Why is the book difficult?
Read this passage:
この本は読みにくい。漢字がたくさんあるから。
Why is the book difficult?
読みにくい (yominikui) means 'hard to read'. The reason given is '漢字がたくさんあるから' (kanji ga takusan aru kara - because there are many kanji).
読みにくい (yominikui) means 'hard to read'. The reason given is '漢字がたくさんあるから' (kanji ga takusan aru kara - because there are many kanji).
What is the problem with the chair?
Read this passage:
このいすは座りにくい。ちょっと高い。
What is the problem with the chair?
座りにくい (suwarinikui) means 'hard to sit on'. The sentence then explains 'ちょっと高い' (chotto takai - a little high) as the reason.
座りにくい (suwarinikui) means 'hard to sit on'. The sentence then explains 'ちょっと高い' (chotto takai - a little high) as the reason.
Why are the shoes hard to walk in?
Read this passage:
この靴は歩きにくい。小さいから。
Why are the shoes hard to walk in?
歩きにくい (arukinikui) means 'hard to walk in'. The reason given is '小さいから' (chiisai kara - because they are small).
歩きにくい (arukinikui) means 'hard to walk in'. The reason given is '小さいから' (chiisai kara - because they are small).
This sentence means 'This book is difficult to read.' '読みにくい' (yominikui) is formed by combining '読む' (yomu - to read) with the suffix '-にくい' (-nikui).
This sentence means 'This kanji is difficult to write.' '書きにくい' (kakinikui) is formed by combining '書く' (kaku - to write) with the suffix '-にくい' (-nikui).
This sentence means 'This food is difficult to eat.' '食べにくい' (tabenikui) is formed by combining '食べる' (taberu - to eat) with the suffix '-にくい' (-nikui).
この字は小さすぎて___。
The sentence indicates the characters are too small, so 'difficult to read' (読みにくい) is the most fitting.
このかばんは大きすぎて、いつも持ち___。
The bag is too big, implying it's 'difficult to carry' (持ちにくい).
このくつは___ので、あまり履きません。
If someone doesn't wear shoes often, it's likely because they are 'difficult to wear' (履きにくい).
このペンはインクが出なくて、___。
If the ink doesn't come out, it's 'difficult to write' (書きにくい).
この問題は___ので、もう一度説明してください。
If someone asks for an explanation again, it means the problem is 'difficult to understand' (分かりにくい).
この料理は辛すぎて、___。
If the food is too spicy, it is 'difficult to eat' (食べにくい).
The book is hard to read.
This pen is difficult to write with.
Is this dish difficult to eat?
Read this aloud:
この漢字は書くにくいです。
Focus: kakunikui
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
この場所は入りにくいです。
Focus: hairinikui
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
この服は脱ぎにくいです。
Focus: nuginikui
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This book is difficult to read. '読みにくい' (yominikui) means 'difficult to read'.
This kanji is difficult to write. '書きにくい' (kakinikui) means 'difficult to write'.
This food is difficult to eat. '食べにくい' (tabenikui) means 'difficult to eat'.
この字はとても書き___ですね。
The kanji is hard to write. 書きにくい means 'hard to write'.
このかばんは重くて持ち___。
This bag is heavy and hard to carry. 持ちにくい means 'hard to carry'.
この靴は滑り___から、気を付けてください。
These shoes are easy to slip in, so please be careful. 滑りやすい means 'easy to slip'. We are looking for the opposite, so 滑りにくい would be 'hard to slip'.
このペンはインクが出___から、使うのが大変です。
This pen is hard for ink to come out, so it's hard to use. 出にくい means 'hard for something to come out'.
この料理は辛くて食べ___人が多いです。
Many people find this dish spicy and hard to eat. 食べにくい means 'hard to eat'.
この本は小さい字で読み___。
This book has small characters and is hard to read. 読みにくい means 'hard to read'.
This book is difficult to read, isn't it?
This Kanji is difficult to write.
This computer is difficult to use.
Read this aloud:
このペンは持ちにくい。
Focus: mo-chi-ni-kui
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
この靴は歩きにくいです。
Focus: a-ru-ki-ni-kui
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
この道は運転しにくい。
Focus: un-ten-shi-ni-kui
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The correct order forms a sentence meaning 'This book is difficult to read.'
The correct order forms a sentence meaning 'This kanji is difficult to write.'
The correct order forms a sentence meaning 'These shoes are difficult to wear/put on.'
この本は字が小さくてとても読み___。
「にくい」は「～するのが難しい」という意味で、ここでは「字が小さくて読むのが難しい」となります。
この問題は複雑すぎて理解し___。
「理解しにくい」で「理解するのが難しい」という意味になります。
この新しい靴は硬くて歩き___。
「歩きにくい」は「歩くのが難しい、歩きづらい」という意味です。
彼の話は早口で聞き___。
「聞きにくい」は「聞くのが難しい、聞き取りづらい」という意味です。
この扉は古くて開き___。
「開きにくい」は「開けるのが難しい」という意味です。
この料理は辛すぎて食べ___。
「食べにくい」は「食べるのが難しい、食べづらい」という意味です。
Choose the sentence where 「にくい」 is used correctly to mean 'difficult to do'.
「解きにくい」directly translates to 'difficult to solve'. The other options mean 'easy to read', 'he always wakes up early', and 'the new camera is difficult to use'. The last one is also correct but not the best option because 'この問題は解きにくい' expresses difficulty to do explicitly.
Which sentence means 'This pen is hard to write with'?
「書きにくい」is the correct form for 'hard to write with'. 「書きやすい」means 'easy to write with', 「書けない」means 'cannot write', and 「書いてください」means 'please write'.
You want to say that a certain food is 'hard to eat'. How would you express this using 「にくい」?
「食べにくい」means 'hard to eat'. 「食べやすい」means 'easy to eat', 「食べられない」means 'cannot eat', and 「食べたい」means 'want to eat'.
The sentence 「このシャツは着にくい」 means 'This shirt is easy to wear.'
「着にくい」means 'difficult to wear' or 'hard to wear', not 'easy to wear'.
If something is 「見にくい」, it means it is visually unpleasant or hard to see.
「見にくい」can mean both 'hard to see' (e.g., small print) and 'ugly' or 'unpleasant to look at'.
The phrase 「聞きにくい」 implies that something is easy to hear.
「聞きにくい」means 'hard to hear' or 'difficult to ask', not 'easy to hear'.
The book's small print makes it hard to read.
This computer is difficult to use because its operations are complicated.
He gets angry easily, so it's hard to talk to him.
Read this aloud:
この箱は重くて持ちにくい。
Focus: mo-chi-ni-ku-i
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
この服は動きにくいので、着たくないです。
Focus: u-go-ki-ni-ku-i
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
この問題は難しくて解きにくい。
Focus: to-ki-ni-ku-i
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You find a new recipe online, but the instructions are very complicated. Write a sentence in Japanese describing how difficult the recipe seems to make, using '-にくい'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
このレシピは説明が複雑なので、作りにくいです。
You are trying to open a jar, but the lid is stuck. Write a sentence in Japanese expressing that the lid is hard to open, using '-にくい'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この瓶の蓋は硬くて、開けにくいです。
You are at a noisy cafe and can't hear your friend clearly. Write a sentence in Japanese explaining that it's difficult to hear in this place, using '-にくい'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
このカフェはうるさくて、話が聞きにくいです。
この人が本を読みにくいと感じる主な理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
この本は字が小さすぎて、読みにくいです。特に夜は電気が暗いので、もっと読みにくいです。新しい眼鏡を買う必要があるかもしれません。
この人が本を読みにくいと感じる主な理由は何ですか？
文章に「この本は字が小さすぎて、読みにくいです」と明記されています。
文章に「この本は字が小さすぎて、読みにくいです」と明記されています。
この人が新しい靴について後悔している点は何ですか？
Read this passage:
新しい靴を買ったのですが、かかとが高くて歩きにくいです。デザインはとても気に入っているのですが、長時間履いていると足が痛くなります。もっと低いヒールの靴を探すべきだったと後悔しています。
この人が新しい靴について後悔している点は何ですか？
文章に「かかとが高くて歩きにくいです」とあり、それが後悔の理由となっています。
文章に「かかとが高くて歩きにくいです」とあり、それが後悔の理由となっています。
このペンで書くことが難しい主な理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
このペンはインクが出にくくて、書くのに時間がかかります。新しいペンに交換しないと、レポートが期日までに終わりません。インクがスムーズに出るペンを見つけたいです。
このペンで書くことが難しい主な理由は何ですか？
文章に「このペンはインクが出にくくて、書くのに時間がかかります」と説明されています。
文章に「このペンはインクが出にくくて、書くのに時間がかかります」と説明されています。
この本は字が小さすぎて読み______です。
「にくい」は「～するのが難しい」という意味で、ここでは「字が小さすぎて読むのが難しい」となります。「やすい」は「～しやすい」、「がたい」は「～しがたい」と似ていますが、より感情的なニュアンスで使われます。「づらい」も「～しづらい」と似た意味ですが、こちらは肉体的・精神的な苦痛を伴う場合に用いられることが多いです。
この問題は複雑すぎて理解し______。
「理解しにくい」は「理解するのが難しい」という意味で、ここでは問題の複雑さが理解の妨げになっていることを表します。「かねる」は「～しかねる」という形で「～するのは難しい、あるいはできない」という丁寧な拒否のニュアンスがあります。「がたい」は「～しがたい」で、非常に困難であることを表しますが、「にくい」の方が日常的で幅広い状況で使われます。
新しい靴はまだ硬くて、歩き______。
「歩きにくい」は「歩くのが難しい」という意味で、ここでは靴が硬いせいで歩くのに苦労していることを示します。
「この料理は辛くて食べにくい」は「この料理は辛いから食べるのが難しい」という意味である。
「食べにくい」は、文字通り「食べるのが難しい」という意味で使われます。
「このペンは書きにくい」は「このペンは書くのが楽しい」という意味である。
「書きにくい」は「書くのが難しい」という意味であり、「書くのが楽しい」という意味ではありません。
「この道は狭くて運転しにくい」は「この道は狭いから運転するのが難しい」という意味である。
「運転しにくい」は「運転するのが難しい」という意味で、ここでは道の狭さが運転の困難さにつながっていることを表します。
You are trying to assemble some flat-pack furniture, but the instructions are terrible and the pieces don't seem to fit together properly. Write a short paragraph describing your frustration using 'にくい'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この家具の組み立ては本当に大変だ。説明書は分かりにくいし、部品も全然うまくはまりにくい。こんなに時間がかかるとは思わなかった。
You're at a restaurant, and the dish you ordered is very salty and difficult to eat. Write a short complaint to your friend using 'にくい'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この料理、ちょっとしょっぱすぎて食べにくいな。こんなに味が濃いと、ご飯が進みにくいよ。もっと薄味だったらよかったのに。
Describe a situation where a new system or tool at your workplace is difficult to use for everyone, including yourself. Use 'にくい' in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
新しいシステムが導入されたんだけど、操作がすごく使いにくいんだ。みんなも理解しにくいって言ってるし、これで効率が上がるのか疑問だね。早く慣れるといいんだけど。
このアパートの最も大きな問題点として、文章から読み取れるのはどれですか？
Read this passage:
最近、古いアパートに引っ越しました。駅からは近いのですが、日当たりが悪くて部屋が暗く、冬は寒いです。また、壁が薄いので隣の部屋の音が聞こえやすく、なかなか集中しにくい環境です。新しい家具を買っても、この環境だとくつろぎにくいと感じています。
このアパートの最も大きな問題点として、文章から読み取れるのはどれですか？
文章には「隣の部屋の音が聞こえやすく、なかなか集中しにくい環境です」と明記されており、これが最も直接的に「集中しにくい」原因として述べられています。
文章には「隣の部屋の音が聞こえやすく、なかなか集中しにくい環境です」と明記されており、これが最も直接的に「集中しにくい」原因として述べられています。
このチームの議論の主な焦点は何でしたか？
Read this passage:
あるソフトウェア開発チームが、ユーザーインターフェースのデザインについて議論していました。一部のメンバーは、新しい機能を追加することでより多くのことができるようになると主張しましたが、別のメンバーは、機能が増えすぎるとユーザーが使いにくいと感じるのではないかと懸念を示しました。彼らは、多くの機能を盛り込むことよりも、シンプルで直感的な操作性を重視すべきだと提案しました。
このチームの議論の主な焦点は何でしたか？
文章には「機能が増えすぎるとユーザーが使いにくいと感じるのではないかと懸念を示しました」とあり、これが議論の核心でした。
文章には「機能が増えすぎるとユーザーが使いにくいと感じるのではないかと懸念を示しました」とあり、これが議論の核心でした。
外国人観光客がその観光地で滞在を楽しみにくい主な理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
最近、とある観光地で、外国語の案内表示が不足しているという声が上がっています。特に、日本語以外の言語を話す旅行者にとっては、どこに何があるのかが分かりにくく、迷ってしまうことが多いようです。この問題は、外国人観光客の満足度を低下させるだけでなく、彼らがその土地での滞在を楽しみにくくしている要因となっています。
外国人観光客がその観光地で滞在を楽しみにくい主な理由は何ですか？
文章には「日本語以外の言語を話す旅行者にとっては、どこに何があるのかが分かりにくく、迷ってしまうことが多いようです。この問題は、外国人観光客の満足度を低下させるだけでなく、彼らがその土地での滞在を楽しみにくくしている要因となっています」と明記されています。
文章には「日本語以外の言語を話す旅行者にとっては、どこに何があるのかが分かりにくく、迷ってしまうことが多いようです。この問題は、外国人観光客の満足度を低下させるだけでなく、彼らがその土地での滞在を楽しみにくくしている要因となっています」と明記されています。
この本は字が小さくて読み___。
「読みにくい」は「読むのが難しい」という意味になります。他の選択肢は文脈に合いません。
新しいソフトウェアは操作が複雑で使い___。
「使いにくい」は「使うのが難しい、不便だ」という意味になります。ソフトウェアの操作が複雑な状況に適切です。
この素材は汚れが付き___ので、お手入れが簡単です。
「付きにくい」は「付きにくい、簡単には付かない」という意味になります。お手入れが簡単な理由として適切です。
「この料理は辛くて食べにくい」は「この料理は辛いので食べるのが難しい」という意味である。
「食べにくい」は「食べるのが難しい」という意味です。辛さによって食べることが困難であることを表しています。
「彼の日本語は聞きにくい」は「彼の日本語を聞くのが嫌だ」という意味である。
「聞きにくい」は「聞くのが難しい、聞き取りづらい」という意味です。「嫌だ」という感情は含まれません。
「このペンは書きにくい」は「このペンは書くのが困難である」という意味である。
「書きにくい」は「書くのが難しい、書きづらい」という意味です。ペンの使用が困難であることを示します。
The small text makes this book difficult to read.
This computer is difficult to use, so I want a new one.
There are many points in his story that are difficult to understand.
Read this aloud:
この靴は歩きにくい。
Focus: あるきにくい
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
このペンは書きにくい。
Focus: かきにくい
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
彼の名前は覚えにくい。
Focus: おぼえにくい
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You're trying to assemble some flat-pack furniture, but the instructions are terrible and some of the pieces don't quite fit. Describe the experience using the -にくい suffix.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この家具は説明書が分かりにくく、部品も組み立てにくいので、完成させるのが非常に難しいです。
You've been asked to review a new software application. It's slow, buggy, and the user interface is confusing. Write a short review highlighting these issues using -にくい.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この新しいソフトウェアは動作が遅く、バグも多く、インターフェースが使いにくいので、改善が必要です。
Imagine you're trying to explain a complex scientific concept to someone with no background in the subject. Use -にくい to describe why it's a challenge.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この科学的概念は専門用語が多く、背景知識がない人に説明しにくいので、かみ砕いて伝える必要があります。
この文章から、著者の意図についてどのようなことが読み取れますか？
Read this passage:
この本は非常に専門的で、一般の読者には内容が理解しにくいかもしれません。著者の意図は素晴らしいのですが、表現が難解で、読み進めるのが困難です。
この文章から、著者の意図についてどのようなことが読み取れますか？
文章に「著者の意図は素晴らしいのですが、表現が難解で」とあることから、著者の意図は良いものの、その表現方法が理解しにくさにつながっていることがわかります。
文章に「著者の意図は素晴らしいのですが、表現が難解で」とあることから、著者の意図は良いものの、その表現方法が理解しにくさにつながっていることがわかります。
このシステムで特に問題となっている点は何ですか？
Read this passage:
新しく導入されたシステムは、操作が非常に複雑で、慣れるまで時間がかかりそうです。特に、エラーメッセージが分かりにくく、問題解決に手間取ることが多いです。このままでは、業務効率が低下してしまう可能性があります。
このシステムで特に問題となっている点は何ですか？
文章に「特に、エラーメッセージが分かりにくく」とあることから、これが主要な問題点であることがわかります。
文章に「特に、エラーメッセージが分かりにくく」とあることから、これが主要な問題点であることがわかります。
筆者が彼に対して感じていることは何ですか？
Read this passage:
彼は自分の意見をはっきりと言わないタイプなので、何を考えているのか理解しにくいことがあります。しかし、一度心を許すと、非常に深い話をしてくれるので、彼の本心を知るには時間が必要です。
筆者が彼に対して感じていることは何ですか？
「何を考えているのか理解しにくいことがあります。しかし、一度心を許すと、非常に深い話をしてくれるので、彼の本心を知るには時間が必要です。」という記述から、この選択肢が正しいとわかります。
「何を考えているのか理解しにくいことがあります。しかし、一度心を許すと、非常に深い話をしてくれるので、彼の本心を知るには時間が必要です。」という記述から、この選択肢が正しいとわかります。
The sentence means 'This book is difficult to read, isn't it?'
The sentence means 'This kanji is very difficult to write.'
The sentence means 'This road is difficult to drive on, so please be careful.'
/ 126 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use -nikui to say an action is hard to do or unpleasant.
- b1
- b2
- b3
Basic Meaning of -にくい
The suffix -にくい attaches to the stem of a verb and means 'difficult to do' or 'hard to do'. It implies an inherent difficulty, rather than a temporary inability.
Formation with Verbs
To form -にくい, take the ます-stem (conjugate to ます form, then remove ます) of a verb and attach -にくい. For example, 食べます (tabemasu - to eat) becomes 食べにくい (tabenikui - difficult to eat).
Common Usage Examples
You'll often hear -にくい with verbs describing actions that can be challenging, like 読みにくい (yominikui - difficult to read), 書きにくい (kakinikui - difficult to write), or 分かりにくい (wakarinikui - difficult to understand).
Distinguishing from -づらい
While similar to -づらい, -にくい often suggests an objective or inherent difficulty (e.g., this book is difficult to read due to small font). -づらい can imply a more subjective or emotional difficulty.
Exemple
この字は読みにくい。
Contenu associé
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur general
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
