The suffix ~nikui indicates that an action is difficult to perform or emotionally uncomfortable to carry out.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to express difficulty in performing an action.
- Attaches to the stem of the verb.
- Can describe both physical difficulty and psychological reluctance.
Overview
- 1概要：～にくいとは、ある動作を実行することに対して、物理的な困難さや心理的な不快感、あるいは状況的な不都合があることを示す表現です。動詞の「ます形」から「ます」を除いた形に接続します。2) 使用パターン：基本形は「動詞のます形＋にくい」です。この形は「～するのが難しい」「～するのに時間がかかる」という客観的な事実や、「～したくない」「～するのは気が引ける」という主観的な感情の両方を表現できます。3) 一般的な文脈：日常生活における物理的な動作（書きにくい、歩きにくい）から、人間関係における心理的な距離感や遠慮（言いにくい、頼みにくい）まで幅広く使われます。特に相手に対する配慮が必要な場面や、自分の意見を控えめに伝えたい時に非常に便利な表現です。4) 類似語との比較：「～がたい」は、より硬い表現で、能力的に不可能であるという客観的なニュアンスが強いです。「～づらい」は、「～にくい」とほぼ同じ意味ですが、特に「心理的な苦痛」や「身体的な負担」に重点が置かれる傾向があります。一方、「～にくい」は、物理的・心理的の両面で、より中立的かつ日常的に使われる表現です。
Examples
このペンは持ちにくくて書きにくい。
everydayThis pen is hard to hold and hard to write with.
上司にはそのことを言いにくい。
formalIt is difficult to tell my boss that.
この服は脱ぎにくいね。
informalThese clothes are hard to take off, aren't they?
このデータは分析しにくい構造をしている。
academicThis data has a structure that is difficult to analyze.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
言いにくいのですが
It's hard to say, but...
使いにくい道具
A tool that is hard to use
理解しにくい
Hard to understand
Often Confused With
Gatai is more formal and implies that it is logically or morally impossible to do something. Nikui is more about personal struggle or annoyance.
Zurai often emphasizes the physical or emotional pain involved in the action. Nikui is more neutral regarding the cause of the difficulty.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The suffix ~nikui is neutral and widely used in both speech and writing. It is highly versatile, covering everything from broken objects to social anxiety. When used for social situations, it functions as a buffer to soften the tone of a refusal or a complaint.
Common Mistakes
Learners often attach ~nikui to the dictionary form of the verb instead of the stem (e.g., 'taberu-nikui' instead of 'tabe-nikui'). Also, avoid using it for things that are simply impossible; use 'dekinai' instead. It is not used for static states, only for actions.
Tips
Focus on the stem of the verb
Always drop the 'masu' from the verb before adding 'nikui'. For example, 'tabemasu' becomes 'tabenikui'.
Avoid for positive abilities
Do not use this to describe tasks that are inherently impossible. It is for things that are just difficult or annoying.
Use for polite social refusal
Japanese speakers often use 'ii-nikui' (hard to say) as a soft way to decline a request without being rude.
Word Origin
Derived from the classical Japanese adjective 'nikui' (hateful/disagreeable), which evolved into a suffix indicating that an action is unpleasant or difficult to perform. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'hateful' to 'difficult'.
Cultural Context
In Japanese culture, 'iinikui' (hard to say) is a key concept for maintaining harmony. It allows people to avoid direct confrontation by implying that the difficulty lies in the situation rather than the person themselves.
Memory Tip
Think of 'nikui' as 'knee-kui'—if your knees are stiff, it's 'hard to walk' (aruki-nikui). This helps visualize the physical difficulty aspect.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「にくい」は物理的・心理的の両方に使えますが、「づらい」は特に心理的な苦痛や身体的な辛さが伴う場合に好まれます。ただし、日常会話ではほとんど区別なく使われることも多いです。
基本的には動作を表す動詞に接続しますが、状態を表す動詞や無意志動詞にはあまり使いません。また、否定形と組み合わせて使うことは稀です。
「書きにくい」は道具や状況が原因でスムーズに書けないというニュアンスです。「書くのが難しい」は、内容が複雑であるなど、能力的に困難であるというニュアンスが強くなります。
はい、「書きにくかった」のように過去形にできます。過去の経験として、その動作が困難であったことを振り返る際に使います。
Test Yourself
このペンはインクが出なくて、とても___。
動詞の「書きます」の「ます」を取り、「にくい」を接続します。
心理的な抵抗があることを表す文はどれですか？
他の選択肢は物理的な困難ですが、質問を躊躇するのは心理的な抵抗です。
（この / 食べ / にくい / 肉 / です / は ）
主語＋は＋述語の構成が適切です。
Score: /3
Summary
The suffix ~nikui indicates that an action is difficult to perform or emotionally uncomfortable to carry out.
- Used to express difficulty in performing an action.
- Attaches to the stem of the verb.
- Can describe both physical difficulty and psychological reluctance.
Focus on the stem of the verb
Always drop the 'masu' from the verb before adding 'nikui'. For example, 'tabemasu' becomes 'tabenikui'.
Avoid for positive abilities
Do not use this to describe tasks that are inherently impossible. It is for things that are just difficult or annoying.
Use for polite social refusal
Japanese speakers often use 'ii-nikui' (hard to say) as a soft way to decline a request without being rude.
Examples
4 of 4このペンは持ちにくくて書きにくい。
This pen is hard to hold and hard to write with.
上司にはそのことを言いにくい。
It is difficult to tell my boss that.
この服は脱ぎにくいね。
These clothes are hard to take off, aren't they?
このデータは分析しにくい構造をしている。
This data has a structure that is difficult to analyze.
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Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
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