곤란하다 30 सेकंड में
- 곤란하다 means 'to be in a bind' or 'troublesome' due to social or situational factors.
- It is the go-to word for polite refusals in Korean culture to avoid direct conflict.
- Commonly used in the pattern '-기 곤란하다' to describe specific difficult actions.
- It differs from '어렵다' (task difficulty) by focusing on situational or social dilemmas.
The Korean adjective 곤란하다 (Gollanhada) is a nuanced term that translates to being 'difficult,' 'troublesome,' or 'in a tough spot.' Unlike the generic word for 'hard' (어렵다), 곤란하다 specifically targets situations where one faces a dilemma, social awkwardness, or a practical obstacle that makes a desired action nearly impossible or highly inconvenient. It often carries a heavy weight of social pressure or the feeling of being 'stuck' between two unfavorable choices.
- Etymological Root
- Derived from the Hanja 困難 (곤란), where '곤' (困) means to be distressed or surrounded by a fence, and '란' (難) means difficult. Literally, it depicts being trapped in a hard situation.
- Social Refusal
- In Korean culture, saying 'No' directly is often considered rude. 곤란하다 serves as a polite, indirect way to decline a request by shifting the blame to the 'situation' rather than the person's will.
"지금은 대답하기 좀 곤란하다."
— "It is a bit difficult/awkward to answer right now."
When you use this word, you are signaling to the listener that there are external factors or internal constraints preventing you from complying. It is widely used in business, formal settings, and even close relationships when a boundary needs to be set without causing offense. It encompasses financial hardship, logistical nightmares, and moral dilemmas.
Usage Contexts:
- Financial distress (생활이 곤란하다)
- Awkward questions (대답하기 곤란하다)
- Technical difficulties (진행이 곤란하다)
Furthermore, 곤란하다 is an adjective (형용사), meaning it describes a state. You cannot use it as a command or a progressive action. It is the state of being in a bind. In the following sections, we will explore how this word differentiates itself from synonyms like '힘들다' or '어렵다' and how to master its usage in professional Korean environments.
Mastering 곤란하다 requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. It most commonly appears in the form -기(가) 곤란하다, which means 'It is difficult to [verb].' This structure allows you to pinpoint exactly what action is causing the trouble.
- Grammar Pattern 1: -기(가) 곤란하다
- Used when an action is socially or practically hard to perform.
Example: 거절하기 곤란해요. (It's hard to refuse.) - Grammar Pattern 2: Noun + -이/가 곤란하다
- Used when a specific situation or thing is troublesome.
Example: 입장이 곤란해졌어요. (My position has become awkward/difficult.)
Scenario: Borrowing Money
Friend: "돈 좀 빌려줄 수 있어?" (Can you lend me money?)
You: "미안해, 나도 지금 형편이 좀 곤란해." (Sorry, my financial situation is a bit difficult too.)
In formal Korean, the honorific form 곤란합니다 is essential. It is frequently used in customer service or corporate emails to decline requests politely. For instance, if a customer asks for a refund that violates policy, a staff member would say, '환불은 규정상 곤란합니다' (A refund is difficult according to the regulations).
When you want to emphasize that someone else is putting you in a tough spot, you use the expression 곤란하게 만들다 (to make someone troubled). For example, '자꾸 이러시면 제가 곤란해집니다' (If you keep doing this, it makes things difficult for me/puts me in a bind).
You will encounter 곤란하다 in a variety of settings, ranging from high-stakes K-Dramas to mundane office meetings. It is a staple of the Korean 'social dance' of politeness and boundary setting.
- 1. K-Dramas (The Dilemma)
- Often used when a character is caught between loyalty and duty. '제 입장이 정말 곤란해요' (My position is truly difficult) is a classic line when a protagonist is pressured by a chaebol boss.
- 2. News and Politics
- Reporters use it to describe diplomatic stalemates or economic crises. '경제적으로 곤란한 상황' (An economically difficult situation).
"부장님, 이번 프로젝트 일정은 맞추기 좀 곤란할 것 같습니다."
(Manager, it seems it will be difficult to meet the schedule for this project.)
In daily life, you'll hear it at the bank, the doctor's office, or when dealing with government officials. It is the standard word for 'inconvenience' or 'unfeasibility.' If you are late for an appointment and the other person says '이러면 곤란하죠' (It's troublesome if you do this), they are expressing moderate annoyance and disapproval.
Learners often struggle with the distinction between 곤란하다, 어렵다, and 힘들다. While they all relate to 'difficulty,' their usage is strictly contextual.
- Mistake 1: Using it for Skill Difficulty
- ❌ 한국어 공부가 곤란해요. (Wrong)
✅ 한국어 공부가 어려워요. (Correct - Learning a language is a task/skill.) - Mistake 2: Using it for Physical Exhaustion
- ❌ 오늘 너무 많이 걸어서 곤란해요. (Wrong)
✅ 오늘 너무 많이 걸어서 힘들어요. (Correct - Physical tiredness is '힘들다'.)
The 'Social Bind' Test
Ask yourself: 'Am I in a bind because of a choice or a situation?' If yes, use 곤란하다. If it's just a hard task, use 어렵다.
Another mistake is using it in a way that sounds too formal for the situation. While 곤란하다 is versatile, using it with very close friends for minor issues might sound a bit stiff or overly dramatic unless you are being sarcastic. For example, if a friend asks to borrow a pen, saying '곤란해' is too much; '없어' (I don't have one) is better.
To truly master Korean, you must understand the 'family' of words that surround 곤란하다. Each has a slightly different flavor of 'trouble.'
- 1. 난처하다 (Nancheohada)
- Very similar to 곤란하다 but focuses more on the emotional awkwardness of a situation. If someone asks you a very personal question in public, you feel '난처하다'.
- 2. 난감하다 (Nangamhada)
- Used when you are at a loss for what to do. It's that 'frozen' feeling when a situation is so unexpected or difficult that you don't have a solution.
- 3. 번거롭다 (Beongeoropda)
- Means 'cumbersome' or 'hassle.' Use this when a task has too many steps or is annoying, rather than a serious dilemma.
Comparison Table
| Word | Nuance |
|---|---|
| 곤란하다 | Situational/Social Bind |
| 어렵다 | Task/Cognitive Difficulty |
| 힘들다 | Physical/Mental Effort |
| 당황스럽다 | Embarrassed/Caught off guard |
Understanding these distinctions allows you to express your feelings with precision. For instance, if a project is delayed because the software is hard to use, it's '어렵다'. If the project is delayed because you don't have the budget, it's '곤란하다'. If the client is screaming at you because of the delay, you feel '난처하다'.
How Formal Is It?
कठिनाई स्तर
ज़रूरी व्याकरण
-기(가) 쉽다/어렵다/곤란하다
-어서 (Reason)
-(으)면 (Condition)
-아/어지다 (Change of state)
-ㄴ/은/는 (Noun modifying)
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
지금은 좀 곤란해요.
It's a bit difficult right now.
Present tense polite form.
돈이 없어서 곤란해요.
I'm in trouble because I have no money.
-어서 (reason) + 곤란해요.
도와주기 곤란해요.
It's hard to help.
-기 (nominalizer) + 곤란해요.
길을 잃어서 곤란해요.
I'm in trouble because I'm lost.
Situational difficulty.
시간이 없어서 곤란해요.
I'm in a bind because I have no time.
Reasoning with -어서.
이거는 좀 곤란해요.
This one is a bit difficult (to do/accept).
Topic marker -는.
비가 와서 곤란해요.
It's troublesome because it's raining.
Environmental difficulty.
너무 비싸서 곤란해요.
It's difficult because it's too expensive.
Adverb '너무' + adjective.
혼자 가기는 좀 곤란해요.
It's a bit difficult to go alone.
-기는 (as for doing...).
부탁을 들어주기 곤란합니다.
It is difficult to grant the request.
Formal ending -습니다.
지금 전화받기 곤란해요.
It's difficult to take a call right now.
-기 곤란하다 pattern.
내일까지는 좀 곤란할 것 같아요.
It seems it will be a bit difficult by tomorrow.
-ㄹ 것 같다 (it seems/I think).
이름을 말하기 곤란해요.
It's difficult to say the name.
Social bind.
여기서 담배를 피우시면 곤란합니다.
It's troublesome if you smoke here.
-(으)시면 (if you do...).
갑자기 오시면 곤란해요.
It's difficult if you come suddenly.
Adverb '갑자기'.
생활이 곤란한 사람들을 도와요.
Help people who have difficult lives (financially).
Noun modifying form -ㄴ.
제 입장이 참 곤란하게 됐어요.
My position has become very difficult.
-게 되다 (to become/end up).
그 질문에 대답하기는 상당히 곤란합니다.
It is quite difficult to answer that question.
Adverb '상당히' (considerably).
이런 부탁은 정말 곤란하네요.
This kind of request is really troublesome.
Exclamatory ending -네요.
경제적으로 곤란을 겪고 있어요.
I am experiencing economic difficulties.
Noun '곤란' + 겪다 (to experience/undergo).
비밀이라서 알려드리기 곤란해요.
It's a secret, so it's difficult to let you know.
Reason with -(이)라서.
그렇게 말씀하시면 제가 곤란해져요.
If you say that, I'll be in a bind.
-아/어지다 (to become).
거절하기 곤란해서 수락했어요.
I accepted because it was hard to refuse.
-어서 (cause/effect).
교통이 불편해서 가기가 곤란해요.
It's difficult to go because the transportation is inconvenient.
Logistical difficulty.
예산 문제로 사업 진행이 곤란해졌습니다.
Business progress has become difficult due to budget issues.
Noun + -로 (due to).
사생활에 대한 질문은 곤란합니다.
Questions about private life are not acceptable/difficult.
Topic marker -은.
자꾸 이러시면 저희도 곤란합니다.
If you keep doing this, it's difficult for us too.
Plural '저희' (us).
양측의 의견이 달라서 결정하기 곤란하네요.
It's hard to decide because the opinions of both sides are different.
Reasoning with -아서.
그는 곤란한 처지에 놓여 있다.
He is placed in a difficult situation/predicament.
Written style -ㄴ다.
법적으로 곤란한 문제가 생길 수 있어요.
Legal difficulties/problems might arise.
-ㄹ 수 있다 (possibility).
이런 무리한 요구는 들어주기 곤란합니다.
It is difficult to grant such an unreasonable demand.
Adjective '무리한' (unreasonable).
곤란한 질문을 교묘하게 피했다.
He skillfully avoided the difficult question.
Past tense.
정부는 외교적 곤란을 타개하기 위해 노력 중이다.
The government is trying to overcome diplomatic difficulties.
Advanced verb '타개하다' (to overcome/break through).
그의 발언은 당을 곤란한 상황에 빠뜨렸다.
His remarks put the party in a difficult situation.
Causative '빠뜨리다' (to drop/put into).
현실적으로 실현하기 곤란한 계획입니다.
It is a plan that is difficult to realize realistically.
Adverb '현실적으로'.
곤란한 기색을 감추지 못했다.
He couldn't hide his troubled expression.
Noun '기색' (look/expression).
객관적인 증거가 없어 판단하기 곤란하다.
It is difficult to judge because there is no objective evidence.
Adjective '객관적인'.
사전 협의 없이 진행하는 것은 곤란합니다.
It is problematic to proceed without prior consultation.
Noun phrase '진행하는 것'.
그녀는 곤란할 때마다 나를 찾아온다.
She comes to me whenever she is in trouble.
-(으)ㄹ 때마다 (whenever).
이념적 갈등으로 인해 합의 도출이 곤란하다.
Deriving an agreement is difficult due to ideological conflict.
-로 인해 (due to/because of).
인간의 자유 의지를 부정하는 것은 논리적으로 곤란하다.
Denying human free will is logically problematic.
Academic context.
그 정책은 형평성 차원에서 곤란한 지점이 많다.
That policy has many problematic points in terms of equity.
Noun '형평성' (equity/fairness).
진퇴양난의 곤란한 상황에 직면했다.
Faced a difficult situation of being between a rock and a hard place.
Idiom '진퇴양난' (dilemma).
예술의 정의를 한마디로 규정하기는 곤란하다.
It is difficult to define the meaning of art in a single word.
Verb '규정하다' (to define/stipulate).
과거의 잣대로 현재를 평가하는 것은 곤란하다.
It is problematic to evaluate the present by the standards of the past.
Metaphor '잣대' (standard/yardstick).
그의 침묵은 긍정도 부정도 아닌 곤란한 답변이었다.
His silence was a difficult answer that was neither affirmation nor denial.
A-도 B-도 아닌 (neither A nor B).
자원의 한계로 인해 지속적인 성장은 곤란해 보인다.
Continuous growth seems difficult due to the limits of resources.
Future/presumptive '-어 보인다'.
도덕적 해이를 방치하는 것은 사회적으로 곤란하다.
Neglecting moral hazard is socially problematic.
Noun '도덕적 해이' (moral hazard).
सामान्य शब्द संयोजन
सामान्य वाक्यांश
अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है
Task difficulty vs. Situational bind.
Physical/mental exhaustion vs. Situational bind.
Physical/social discomfort vs. Practical difficulty.
मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ
आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
वाक्य संरचनाएँ
शब्द परिवार
संबंधित
इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें
곤란하다 implies an external or situational pressure, whereas 어렵다 is more about internal capability or complexity.
It is one of the most polite ways to say 'No' in a professional setting.
- Using 곤란하다 for 'hard to understand' (use 어렵다).
- Using 곤란하다 for 'physically hard' (use 힘들다).
- Pronouncing it as [Gon-ran-ha-da].
- Using it as a verb (곤란한다 - X).
- Using it for 'difficult person' (use 까다롭다).
सुझाव
The Art of Refusal
In Korea, saying 'No' directly can end a relationship. Use '곤란해요' to keep the peace.
Adjective Rules
Remember that 곤란하다 doesn't take object markers like 을/를 directly. Use 이/가.
Liquidization
The 'ㄴ' to 'ㄹ' change is called liquidization. Practice saying 'Gol-lan' quickly.
TOPIK Prep
Use '경제적 곤란' instead of '돈이 없어요' in your TOPIK II writing tasks.
Synonym Choice
If you feel 'stuck' and 'embarrassed', choose '난처하다' over '곤란하다'.
Business Context
When a client asks for a discount you can't give, say '그 가격은 좀 곤란합니다'.
Drama Cliché
Listen for characters saying '입장이 곤란해' when they are caught in a lie.
Softening
Always add '좀' (a bit) before 곤란하다 to sound more natural and less blunt.
Pairing
Pair it with '처지' (circumstance) to say '곤란한 처지' (difficult predicament).
Daily Check
Think of one thing today that was '곤란'—maybe a late bus or a tricky question.
याद करें
शब्द की उत्पत्ति
Chinese characters meaning 'distressed' (困) and 'difficult' (難).
सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ
Using this word shows you are considerate of the other person's feelings while setting a boundary.
When a partner says '곤란합니다', do not ask 'Why?' immediately. Instead, ask 'Is there anything we can adjust?'
असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें
वास्तविक संदर्भ
बातचीत की शुरुआत
"부탁하기 좀 곤란한데, 혹시..."
"이런 상황에서 어떻게 하면 곤란하지 않을까요?"
"거절하기 곤란했던 적이 있나요?"
"경제적으로 곤란할 때 어떻게 하시나요?"
"대답하기 곤란한 질문을 받으면 어떻게 해요?"
डायरी विषय
최근에 곤란했던 상황에 대해 써 보세요.
친구의 부탁을 거절하기 곤란했던 경험이 있나요?
경제적으로 곤란한 사람들을 돕는 방법에 대해 생각해보세요.
입장이 곤란해졌을 때 어떻게 해결했나요?
'곤란하다'와 '어렵다'의 차이를 예문으로 설명해 보세요.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालNo, '어렵다' is better for homework. Use 곤란하다 if the homework is 'troublesome' because you lost your book.
No, it is actually very polite. It's a soft way to say you can't do something.
It is pronounced [Gollanhada]. The 'n' and 'r' sounds merge into a double 'l' sound.
곤란 is more about the situation/fact, while 난처 is more about the feeling of being awkward.
Yes, '생활이 곤란하다' is a common way to say someone is having financial trouble.
It is an adjective (descriptive verb) in Korean grammar.
No, because it's an adjective, the modifying form is '곤란한'.
It means 'It is problematic if you act this way.' It's a polite warning.
Yes, '곤란' (difficulty/trouble).
Yes, '친구가 곤란한 상황에 처했어요' (My friend is in a difficult situation).
खुद को परखो 180 सवाल
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
곤란하다 is more than just 'difficult'; it describes the social and situational friction that makes an action awkward or impossible. Mastering it allows you to navigate Korean social boundaries and professional refusals with grace and clarity.
- 곤란하다 means 'to be in a bind' or 'troublesome' due to social or situational factors.
- It is the go-to word for polite refusals in Korean culture to avoid direct conflict.
- Commonly used in the pattern '-기 곤란하다' to describe specific difficult actions.
- It differs from '어렵다' (task difficulty) by focusing on situational or social dilemmas.
The Art of Refusal
In Korea, saying 'No' directly can end a relationship. Use '곤란해요' to keep the peace.
Adjective Rules
Remember that 곤란하다 doesn't take object markers like 을/를 directly. Use 이/가.
Liquidization
The 'ㄴ' to 'ㄹ' change is called liquidization. Practice saying 'Gol-lan' quickly.
TOPIK Prep
Use '경제적 곤란' instead of '돈이 없어요' in your TOPIK II writing tasks.
उदाहरण
지금은 말하기 곤란한 상황이에요.
संबंधित सामग्री
संबंधित ग्रामर रूल्स
emotions के और शब्द
받아들이다
A2स्वीकार करना, अपनाना।
아파하다
A2दर्द या दुख महसूस करना (अक्सर दूसरों में देखा जाता है)।
감탄스럽다
A2मुसीबत में उनका धैर्य वास्तव में प्रशंसनीय है।
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2प्रशंसा करना या चकित होना; किसी सुंदर या अद्भुत चीज़ के प्रति विस्मय व्यक्त करना।
기특하다
B1एक अच्छे काम या विचार के लिए सराहनीय।
충고
B1भविष्य की विवेकपूर्ण कार्रवाई के संबंध में दिए गए मार्गदर्शन या सिफारिशें; सलाह।
애정
B1स्नेह; लगाव या पसंद की कोमल भावना।
애틋하다
B2उनका कोमल और उदासी भरा प्यार सभी को छू गया।
살갑다
B22
