困難 30초 만에
- 困難 (konnan) means 'difficulty' or 'hardship' and is a formal term used for serious, objective challenges in business, news, and academic contexts.
- It functions as both a noun (困難) and a na-adjective (困難な), often paired with verbs like 'face' (直面する) or 'overcome' (乗り越える).
- Unlike the subjective 'muzukashii', 'konnan' implies an external or systemic barrier that makes success uncertain or requires significant effort.
- Avoid using it for minor personal struggles; reserve it for professional reports, social issues, and describing major life obstacles.
The Japanese word 困難 (konnan) is a sophisticated and formal term used to describe situations, tasks, or states of being that are significantly challenging, arduous, or fraught with obstacles. Unlike the more common and subjective word 難しい (muzukashii), which might describe a tricky math problem or a hard-to-read book, 困難 carries a weight of objective hardship. It suggests a barrier that requires substantial effort, resources, or perseverance to overcome. In the landscape of Japanese vocabulary, it sits firmly in the realm of formal discourse, written reports, and serious news coverage. When you use 困難, you are not just saying something is 'hard'; you are characterizing it as a 'difficulty' or a 'hardship' that stands in the path of progress.
- Etymological Root
- The first kanji, 困 (kon), depicts a tree (木) inside a box (口), symbolizing a state of being trapped or constrained. The second kanji, 難 (nan), refers to difficulty or disaster. Together, they create a vivid image of being trapped by a difficult situation.
- Grammatical Function
- It functions primarily as a Noun (e.g., 困難に直面する - to face a difficulty) and as a Na-adjective (e.g., 困難な状況 - a difficult situation).
- Nuance of Scale
- It is often used for large-scale issues like economic crises, physical disabilities, or complex logistical projects rather than minor daily inconveniences.
"現在の経済状況では、新規事業の立ち上げは非常に困難である。" (In the current economic climate, starting a new business is extremely difficult.)
To truly understand 困難, one must appreciate its role in the Japanese concept of Gaman (endurance). It is the word used when describing the trials one must endure. It is not merely a 'problem' (mondai), but a 'hardship' that tests one's character or a system's resilience. In academic writing, it is the preferred term for discussing barriers to entry or systemic challenges. For example, a researcher wouldn't say a social issue is 'muzukashii'; they would describe the 'konnan' inherent in the social structure. This distinction is crucial for learners moving from basic communication to professional or academic proficiency.
"彼は多くの困難を乗り越えて、ついに夢を実現させた。" (He overcame many hardships and finally realized his dream.)
Furthermore, the word is frequently paired with verbs that denote 'facing' (直面する), 'accompanying' (伴う), or 'overcoming' (克服する/乗り越える). This creates a semantic field of struggle and eventual triumph. In a business context, identifying 困難な点 (difficult points) is a standard part of risk assessment. It signals a level of professional maturity to recognize that a task isn't just 'hard' but possesses specific, identifiable 'difficulties'.
"資金不足のため、計画の続行は困難だと判断された。" (Due to a lack of funds, it was judged that continuing the plan would be difficult.)
- Degree of Difficulty
- On a scale of 1 to 10, where muzukashii is a 5, konnan is an 8 or 9. It implies that success is not guaranteed.
"その山への登頂は、冬場は極めて困難を極める。" (Climbing that mountain is extremely difficult during the winter.)
Using 困難 (konnan) correctly requires an understanding of its dual nature as both a noun and a na-adjective. This flexibility allows it to fit into various sentence structures, but its formal tone must be maintained. When used as a noun, it often serves as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence describing a state of affairs. When used as an adjective, it modifies nouns to describe their challenging nature.
1. As a Na-Adjective (困難な)
In this form, it directly describes a noun. It is most commonly used with abstract nouns like 状況 (situation), 課題 (task/challenge), or 道 (path/way). For example, 困難な課題 (a difficult challenge). Note that you cannot usually use it to describe people (e.g., a 'difficult person' is 扱いにくい人, not 困難な人).
"私たちは今、非常に困難な状況に置かれています。" (We are currently placed in a very difficult situation.)
2. As a Noun (困難)
As a noun, it often appears in the pattern [Noun] + は + 困難だ (Something is difficult). This is a standard way to state that a goal is nearly impossible or highly problematic. It is also used in the phrase 困難に直面する (to face difficulties) and 困難を乗り越える (to overcome difficulties).
- Common Verb Pairings
- 困難を伴う (konnan o tomonau): To involve/be accompanied by difficulty.
- 困難を極める (konnan o kiwameru): To be extremely difficult (lit. to reach the peak of difficulty).
- 困難を排する (konnan o haisuru): To remove/clear away difficulties.
3. Formal vs. Casual
Avoid using 困難 in casual conversations with friends about minor things. If you say "It's hard to wake up early" using 困難, it sounds like you are making a formal declaration of a physiological impossibility. Instead, use 大変 (taihen) or きつい (kitsui) for daily struggles. Reserve 困難 for professional emails, academic essays, and serious discussions about life or business.
"このプロジェクトの完遂には、多大なる困難が予想されます。" (Great difficulties are expected in the completion of this project.)
In the context of the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), 困難 is a staple of the N3 and N2 levels. You will often see it in reading passages about social issues or biographies of famous people who overcame hardships. Understanding the collocations mentioned above is key to scoring well on the vocabulary sections.
The word 困難 (konnan) is a pillar of formal Japanese communication. You will encounter it in specific environments where precision and a serious tone are required. Recognizing these contexts will help you grasp the 'weight' of the word.
1. News and Media
News anchors and journalists are the primary users of this word. It is used to describe diplomatic tensions, economic downturns, or the difficulty of rescue operations during natural disasters. When a reporter says, "救助活動は困難を極めています" (Rescue efforts are extremely difficult), they are conveying that the situation is dire and the obstacles are severe.
"悪天候のため、ヘリコプターによる捜索は困難な状況です。" (Due to bad weather, search by helicopter is in a difficult state.)
2. Business and Corporate Settings
In the boardroom or in official reports, 困難 is used to discuss market entry, meeting targets, or technical hurdles. It sounds more professional than saying something is just 'hard'. It implies an analytical view of the problem. For instance, a manager might report that achieving a 50% growth rate is "現実的に見て困難です" (Realisticially speaking, it is difficult/unlikely).
- Business Phrases
- 予測困難 (yosoku konnan): Difficult to predict (common in market forecasts).
- 実行困難 (jikko konnan): Difficult to execute/implement.
- 修正困難 (shuusei konnan): Difficult to correct/fix.
3. Academic and Legal Contexts
Academic papers use 困難 to describe the limitations of a study or the complexity of a theory. In legal contexts, it might describe the difficulty of proving a claim or the hardships faced by a victim. It provides a neutral, objective descriptor for what would otherwise be a subjective experience of 'hardness'.
Finally, you will hear it in public service announcements or government speeches. When the Prime Minister discusses the 'difficulties' facing the nation, 困難 is the word of choice. It frames the issue as a collective challenge to be met with national resolve.
While 困難 (konnan) is a powerful word, its misuse can make a speaker sound unnatural or overly dramatic. Here are the most common pitfalls for learners.
1. Confusing with 難しい (Muzukashii)
This is the most frequent error. 難しい is a broad term for anything that isn't easy. 困難 is specific to 'hardship' or 'objective difficulty'.
❌ この漢字は困難です。 (This kanji is 'hardship'.) - Sounds very strange.
✅ この漢字は難しいです。 (This kanji is difficult.) - Natural.
2. Using it for Personal Preferences
You shouldn't use 困難 to say you find something personally hard to do because of your own skills or tastes. It should describe the situation itself.
❌ 私は納豆を食べるのが困難です。 (It is a 'hardship' for me to eat natto.) - Too dramatic.
✅ 私は納豆が苦手です。 (I am not good with natto.)
- Mistake: Over-formality
- Using 困難 in a casual text message to a friend can come across as sarcastic or stiff. Stick to 大変 (taihen) or むずい (muzui) in casual settings.
- Mistake: Wrong Particle
- Learners often use the wrong particle with 困難. Remember: 困難に直面する (Face to difficulty) and 困難を乗り越える (Overcome difficulty).
3. Misunderstanding the 'Na-Adjective' usage
Because it looks like a noun, some forget it needs な (na) to modify a noun.
❌ 困難状況 (Difficulty situation)
✅ 困難な状況 (Difficult situation)
To avoid these mistakes, always ask yourself: "Is this a serious, objective problem?" If the answer is yes, 困難 is likely appropriate. If it's just a personal struggle or a minor task, stick to 難しい.
Japanese has many words for 'difficulty'. Understanding the nuances between 困難 and its synonyms will elevate your fluency.
1. 難しい (Muzukashii)
The most common word. It is subjective and can be used for anything from a puzzle to a complex emotion. 困難 is the formal, objective cousin of 難しい.
2. 大変 (Taihen)
Focuses on the effort or burden involved. If a job is taihen, it means it's exhausting or requires a lot of work. If it's konnan, it means there are significant barriers to completing it.
- Comparison Table
Word Nuance Context 困難 Objective hardship/barrier Formal/Business 苦労 (Kurou) Personal toil/suffering Personal/Casual 難関 (Nankan) A specific 'barrier' or 'hurdle' Exams/Competitions 逆境 (Gyakkyou) Adversity/Bad circumstances Biographies/Stories
3. 苦境 (Kukyou)
This refers specifically to a 'difficult position' or a 'predicament'. While 困難 is the state of being hard, 苦境 is the actual 'tight spot' you find yourself in. You 'fall into' a 苦境 (苦境に陥る).
"会社は倒産の危機という苦境に立たされている。" (The company is standing in a predicament—the risk of bankruptcy.)
4. 難儀 (Nangi)
A slightly older, more colloquial (but still somewhat formal) word for 'trouble' or 'hardship'. It often implies that something is a 'pain' or a 'hassle' to deal with. It is less common in modern business reports than 困難.
How Formal Is It?
난이도
알아야 할 문법
〜を伴う (to involve/accompany)
〜に直面する (to face)
〜を極める (to reach the extreme of)
〜が予想される (to be expected)
〜にもかかわらず (despite)
수준별 예문
このもんだいは、すこし困難です。
This problem is a bit difficult.
A1 level usage of 'konnan' as a simple predicate.
山にのぼるのは困難です。
Climbing the mountain is difficult.
Using 'konnan' to describe a physical task.
日本語の勉強は困難ですか？
Is studying Japanese difficult?
Interrogative form.
お金がないので、旅行は困難です。
Since there is no money, traveling is difficult.
Expressing difficulty due to a reason (kara/node).
一人でやるのは困難です。
Doing it alone is difficult.
Noun + wa + konnan desu.
それは困難な仕事です。
That is a difficult job.
Na-adjective modifying a noun.
今の生活は困難です。
Life now is difficult.
Describing a state of life.
困難があっても、がんばります。
Even if there are difficulties, I will do my best.
Using 'konnan' as a noun with 'atte mo'.
漢字を全部覚えるのは困難なことです。
Remembering all the kanji is a difficult thing.
Konnan na koto (a difficult thing).
彼は困難な状況に負けなかった。
He did not give in to the difficult situation.
Konnan na joukyou (difficult situation).
新しい言葉を使うのは困難です。
Using new words is difficult.
Verb nominalization + wa + konnan.
この川を泳いで渡るのは困難だ。
Swimming across this river is difficult.
Plain form 'da' for a more objective statement.
困難な道を選んで進む。
To choose and move along a difficult path.
Metaphorical use of 'michi' (path).
彼女は困難を乗り越えて医者になった。
She overcame difficulties and became a doctor.
Konnan o norikoeru (to overcome difficulties).
冬にこの場所へ行くのは困難です。
It is difficult to go to this place in winter.
Describing situational difficulty.
困難な問題が起きました。
A difficult problem has occurred.
Konnan na mondai.
経済的な困難に直面している家庭が多い。
Many families are facing economic difficulties.
Konnan ni chokumen suru (to face difficulties).
この計画を一人で実行するのは困難だと思われる。
It is thought that executing this plan alone is difficult.
Omowareru (passive/potential thought).
彼は多くの困難を伴う冒険に出た。
He set out on an adventure accompanied by many difficulties.
Konnan o tomonau (to involve/accompany difficulty).
専門家の助けなしでは、解決は困難でしょう。
Without the help of an expert, a solution will likely be difficult.
Nashi de wa (without).
政府は困難な決断を迫られている。
The government is being forced to make a difficult decision.
Ketsudan o semarareru (to be forced to make a decision).
視覚障害者が一人で歩くのは困難な場合がある。
There are cases where it is difficult for visually impaired people to walk alone.
Konnan na baai (cases where it is difficult).
古い建物を維持するのは困難が伴う。
Maintaining old buildings involves difficulties.
Konnan ga tomonau.
彼女の説得は困難を極めた。
Persuading her was extremely difficult.
Konnan o kiwameru (to be extremely difficult).
その法案の通過は、現状では極めて困難である。
The passage of that bill is extremely difficult under current circumstances.
Kiwamete konnan (extremely difficult).
予測困難な事態に備えて、予備費を計上する。
In preparation for unpredictable situations, we will allocate reserve funds.
Yosoku konnan (difficult to predict).
彼は逆境の中でも、困難を糧にして成長した。
Even in adversity, he used difficulties as nourishment for growth.
Konnan o kate ni suru (to use difficulty as fuel/nourishment).
この地域での通信環境の整備は技術的に困難だ。
Setting up the communication environment in this area is technically difficult.
Gijutsu-teki ni (technically).
生活困難者への支援策が急務となっている。
Support measures for those having difficulty living have become an urgent matter.
Seikatsu konnansha (the needy).
プロジェクトの遅延により、期限内の納品は困難になった。
Due to project delays, delivery within the deadline has become difficult.
Konnan ni natta (became difficult).
彼は自らの困難を語ることを避けた。
He avoided speaking about his own difficulties.
Konnan o kataru (to talk about difficulties).
複雑な利害関係が、合意形成を困難にしている。
Complex conflicting interests are making consensus-building difficult.
Konnan ni shite iru (making it difficult).
未曾有の災害により、復興への道のりは困難を極めている。
Due to the unprecedented disaster, the path to reconstruction is extremely difficult.
Mizou no (unprecedented) + konnan o kiwameru.
理論と実践の乖離を埋めることは、学術的に極めて困難な課題だ。
Bridging the gap between theory and practice is an extremely difficult academic challenge.
Kairi o umeru (bridge the gap).
彼は身体的な困難を物ともせず、世界記録を塗り替えた。
Ignoring his physical difficulties, he broke the world record.
Mono to mo sezu (making light of/ignoring).
現代社会におけるアイデンティティの確立は、かつてないほど困難になっている。
Establishing identity in modern society has become more difficult than ever before.
Katsute nai hodo (more than ever).
その外交交渉は、歴史的背景もあり、困難が予想されていた。
The diplomatic negotiations were expected to be difficult, partly due to the historical background.
Konnan ga yosou sarete ita (difficulty was expected).
資金繰りの悪化により、事業の継続は事実上困難となった。
Due to worsening cash flow, continuing the business has become practically impossible.
Jijitsu-jou (practically/in fact).
言語の壁が、異文化間の相互理解を困難にさせている側面がある。
There is an aspect where the language barrier makes mutual understanding between different cultures difficult.
Konnan ni sasete iru (causative: making it difficult).
困難に打ち勝つ精神力が、リーダーには求められる。
The mental strength to overcome difficulties is required of a leader.
Konnan ni uchikatsu (to triumph over difficulty).
形而上学的な問いに対して、唯一の正解を導き出すことは論理的に困難である。
It is logically difficult to derive a single correct answer to metaphysical questions.
Keijijougaku-teki (metaphysical).
社会構造の歪みが、若者の自立を困難にしているという指摘がある。
It has been pointed out that distortions in the social structure are making it difficult for young people to become independent.
Shakai kouzou no hizumi (distortions in social structure).
その詩人は、言葉にすることの困難を、沈黙という技法で表現した。
The poet expressed the difficulty of putting things into words through the technique of silence.
Kotoba ni suru koto no konnan (the difficulty of verbalizing).
多文化共生社会の実現には、幾多の困難を乗り越える不断の努力が必要だ。
Realizing a multicultural society requires constant effort to overcome numerous difficulties.
Ikuta no (numerous) + fudan no (constant).
権力構造の再編は、既得権益層の抵抗により、極めて困難な局面を迎えている。
The restructuring of the power structure is facing an extremely difficult phase due to resistance from vested interests.
Kitoku ken'eki sou (vested interest groups).
人間存在の本質的な困難を、彼はその小説の中で克明に描き出した。
He vividly depicted the essential difficulties of human existence in that novel.
Kokumei ni (vividly/minutely).
科学的根拠の乏しい主張を論破することは、時として困難を極める。
Refuting claims with little scientific basis is sometimes extremely difficult.
Ronpa suru (to refute/defeat in an argument).
歴史の必然性を説くことは、偶然性の介在を無視する困難を伴う。
Explaining historical necessity involves the difficulty of ignoring the intervention of contingency.
Kaizai (intervention/presence).
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
자주 혼동되는 단어
Means 'confusion' or 'chaos', not 'difficulty'.
Means 'misfortune' or 'accident' (bad luck), while 困難 is a 'challenge'.
Refers to the personal effort/toil, while 困難 is the difficulty of the task itself.
관용어 및 표현
혼동하기 쉬운
문장 패턴
[Noun] は [Verb-ing] のが困難だ
この川は泳ぐのが困難だ。
困難な [Noun]
困難な課題に挑む。
困難に [Verb]
困難に立ち向かう。
[Reason] により、[Action] は困難となった
大雪により、外出は困難となった。
困難を [Verb]
困難を克服する。
予測困難な [Noun]
予測困難な事態。
困難を極める
捜索は困難を極めた。
困難が伴う
改革には困難が伴う。
사용법
High. Use in professional or written contexts.
Low. Usually describes external, verifiable difficulties.
難しい (Muzukashii), 大変 (Taihen)
- Using 困難 for 'hard to understand' (use 難しい or 難解 instead).
- Saying 困難人 for a 'difficult person'.
- Using 困難 in casual chat about lunch choices.
- Forgetting the 'na' in 困難な.
- Confusing 困難 (konnan) with 混乱 (konran).
팁
Context Matters
Always use 困難 when writing formal emails or reports to sound more professional.
Kanji Clue
Remember the 'tree in a box' (困) to visualize being stuck in a difficult spot.
Na-Adjective
Don't forget the 'na' when using it to describe a noun like 'situation' (困難な状況).
Pair with Verbs
Learn it as part of a set, like 困難に直面する, to use it naturally.
Objective vs Subjective
Use 困難 for barriers that anyone would find hard, not just you personally.
JLPT Strategy
Expect to see 困難 in N3-N1 reading passages about social or historical issues.
Tone Check
Using 困難 in casual speech can make you sound like a news reporter; use it for effect.
Academic Style
In research papers, use 困難 to describe the limitations of previous studies.
News Keyword
When you hear 困難 on the news, pay attention—it usually precedes a serious update.
Endurance Culture
Understand that overcoming 困難 is a common theme in Japanese storytelling and values.
암기하기
어원
Middle Chinese loanword (Sino-Japanese).
문화적 맥락
Used in disaster reporting to maintain a neutral, objective tone while conveying gravity.
When reporting a problem to a superior, using 'konnan' shows you are taking the matter seriously and have analyzed the obstacles.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"最近、仕事で何か困難なことはありましたか？ (Have you had any difficult things at work lately?)"
"この問題を解決するのは困難だと思いますか？ (Do you think solving this problem is difficult?)"
"困難な状況に陥ったとき、どうしますか？ (What do you do when you fall into a difficult situation?)"
"留学生活で一番困難だったことは何ですか？ (What was the most difficult thing about your life studying abroad?)"
"困難を乗り越えるために大切なことは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is important for overcoming difficulties?)"
일기 주제
私がこれまでに経験した最大の困難について。 (About the greatest difficulty I have experienced so far.)
困難な課題に直面したとき、私はどのように対処するか。 (How I deal with it when I face a difficult challenge.)
社会が直面している困難な問題とその解決策。 (Difficult problems society is facing and their solutions.)
困難を乗り越えた後の自分はどう変わったか。 (How I changed after overcoming a difficulty.)
「困難は成長のチャンス」という言葉についてどう思うか。 (What I think about the phrase 'Difficulty is a chance for growth'.)
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문It's better to use 難しい. 困難 sounds like the test is a major life hardship.
It is both. You can say 困難だ (noun use) or 困難な状況 (adjective use).
困難 is formal and objective; 難しい is general and subjective.
Use 困難を乗り越える (konnan o norikoeru) or 困難を克服する (konnan o kokufuku suru).
No, it describes situations or tasks. For a difficult person, use 扱いにくい人.
Rarely. It's mostly for news, business, and writing.
It means to be 'extremely difficult' or 'at the height of difficulty'.
Yes, they share the same first kanji 困, which means 'to be in trouble'.
In some contexts, like 生活困難 (difficulty living), it implies financial hardship.
容易 (youi) or 簡単 (kantan).
셀프 테스트 69 질문
/ 69 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
困難 is your 'power word' for describing serious obstacles. Use it when you want to sound professional, objective, and analytical about a difficult situation, moving beyond the simple 'muzukashii' of beginner Japanese.
- 困難 (konnan) means 'difficulty' or 'hardship' and is a formal term used for serious, objective challenges in business, news, and academic contexts.
- It functions as both a noun (困難) and a na-adjective (困難な), often paired with verbs like 'face' (直面する) or 'overcome' (乗り越える).
- Unlike the subjective 'muzukashii', 'konnan' implies an external or systemic barrier that makes success uncertain or requires significant effort.
- Avoid using it for minor personal struggles; reserve it for professional reports, social issues, and describing major life obstacles.
Context Matters
Always use 困難 when writing formal emails or reports to sound more professional.
Kanji Clue
Remember the 'tree in a box' (困) to visualize being stuck in a difficult spot.
Na-Adjective
Don't forget the 'na' when using it to describe a noun like 'situation' (困難な状況).
Pair with Verbs
Learn it as part of a set, like 困難に直面する, to use it naturally.
예시
彼は多くの困難を乗り越えて成功した。
관련 콘텐츠
general 관련 단어
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2조금, 잠깐. 부탁을 부드럽게 하거나 거절할 때 사용하는 단어입니다.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2아까; 방금 전.
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
A2어떤 사물을 이야기나 사고의 대상으로 삼음을 나타내는 표현입니다.
〜について
B1'~에 대해서'라는 뜻으로 사용되는 표현입니다.
～ぐらい
A2수량이나 정도의 어림을 나타내는 조사로, 한국어의 '~정도'나 '~쯤'에 해당합니다.
ぐらい
A2약 10분 정도 걸립니다. (약 10분 정도 걸립니다.)
