뜻
Expressing that a situation is inconvenient or causing difficulty.
문화적 배경
The concept of 'Meiwaku' (trouble) is central. Saying '{困|こま}ります' is a way to signal that someone is causing 'meiwaku' without using the harsh word itself. In negotiations, '{困|こま}ります' often means 'No.' If a Japanese partner says 'That would be a bit of a problem,' they are likely rejecting the proposal. In Kyoto, politeness is even more indirect. '{困|こま}ります' might be used very subtly to indicate you are overstaying your welcome. On Twitter/X, people use '#困った' to share daily frustrations or ask for advice on minor life problems.
The 'Soft No'
If you want to say no to a request without being rude, just say '{困|こま}ります...' and trail off. The other person will get the hint.
Don't over-masu
Avoid saying '{困|こま}るです'. It's a common beginner mistake. Verbs don't take 'desu'.
뜻
Expressing that a situation is inconvenient or causing difficulty.
The 'Soft No'
If you want to say no to a request without being rude, just say '{困|こま}ります...' and trail off. The other person will get the hint.
Don't over-masu
Avoid saying '{困|こま}るです'. It's a common beginner mistake. Verbs don't take 'desu'.
Body Language
When saying '{困|こま}ります', tilt your head slightly. It shows you are genuinely feeling the 'bind'.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the blank with the correct form of {困|こま}る.
{財布|さいふ}を{忘|わす}れて＿＿＿＿＿。
Since the wallet was forgotten (past action), the past tense '{困|こま}りました' is the most natural.
Which is the most polite way to tell someone they shouldn't take photos here?
ここで{写真|しゃしん}を{撮|と}られると...
'{困|こま}ります' is the softest and most polite way to express that an action is not allowed.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {明日|あした}のパーティー、{来|こ}られますか？ B: すみません、{仕事|しごと}が{忙|いそ}しくて...
B is explaining their current state of being busy/troubled, so '{困|こま}っています' fits best.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are at a loss for words because of a difficult question.
'{返事|へんじ}に{困|こま}る' means to be at a loss for an answer.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제{財布|さいふ}を{忘|わす}れて＿＿＿＿＿。
Since the wallet was forgotten (past action), the past tense '{困|こま}りました' is the most natural.
ここで{写真|しゃしん}を{撮|と}られると...
'{困|こま}ります' is the softest and most polite way to express that an action is not allowed.
A: {明日|あした}のパーティー、{来|こ}られますか？ B: すみません、{仕事|しごと}が{忙|いそ}しくて...
B is explaining their current state of being busy/troubled, so '{困|こま}っています' fits best.
Situation: You are at a loss for words because of a difficult question.
'{返事|へんじ}に{困|こま}る' means to be at a loss for an answer.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Yes, but it might sound a bit dramatic. For small things, '{困|こま}ったな' (Oh, that's a bother) is better.
Yes, but if you are the one who caused the trouble, you should apologize (Moushiwake arimasen) rather than just saying you are troubled.
'Taihen' is an adjective for the situation ('This is tough!'), while 'komaru' is a verb for your reaction ('I'm in a bind!').
Yes, '{彼|かれ}は{困|こま}っています' (He is in trouble).
Use the negative: '{困|こま}っていません' or '{困|こま}らない'.
It's more common for women and children, but men use it too in very casual, slightly playful contexts.
No, use 'onaka ga suita'. 'Komaru' is for when you have no food and no money to buy it.
It refers to a person or thing that is a constant source of trouble.
Yes, it's very common in emails and texts to express that a situation is difficult.
Sometimes, if the embarrassment puts you in a socially difficult spot, but 'hazukashii' is the direct word for embarrassment.
관련 표현
{迷惑|めいわく}
similarTrouble, annoyance, inconvenience.
{大変|たいへん}
similarDifficult, tough, awful.
{悩|なや}む
similarTo worry, to be troubled mentally.
{助|たす}かる
contrastTo be saved, to be helpful.
{弱|よわ}った
similarI'm in a fix / I'm weakened by this.
