The word captures the essence of a situation being physically or mentally challenging.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to describe difficult or demanding situations.
- Functions as an adjective or an intensifier meaning 'very'.
- Commonly used to express empathy in daily conversation.
Overview
- 1概要：「大変」は日本語で非常に頻繁に使われる形容動詞です。主に「困難で苦しい状況」や「事態が重大である」というネガティブな意味で使われますが、副詞的に「非常に（very）」という意味でポジティブな文脈でも使われることがあります。2) 使用パターン：名詞を修飾する場合は「大変な仕事」のように「大変な＋名詞」という形をとります。述語として使う場合は「仕事が大変だ」のように「～が大変だ」という形が一般的です。3) 一般的な文脈：日常生活では「宿題が大変だ」「仕事が大変だった」など、自分の負担を伝える際によく使われます。また、挨拶の文脈で「大変ですね（It's tough, isn't it?）」と相手を気遣う表現としても多用されます。4) 類語比較：『難しい』は能力的にハードルが高いことを指すのに対し、『大変』は労力や精神的負担が大きいことを指します。『辛い（つらい）』はより個人的な苦痛や悲しみに焦点を当てますが、『大変』は客観的な状況の厳しさを強調する傾向があります。
Examples
引越しは大変です。
everydayMoving is hard.
大変ご迷惑をおかけしました。
formalI caused you a great deal of trouble.
今日、大変だったね。
informalIt was a tough day today, wasn't it?
大変重要な課題である。
academicIt is a very important issue.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
大変失礼いたしました
I am terribly sorry.
大変な騒ぎだ
It is a huge commotion.
大変喜ぶ
To be very happy.
Often Confused With
Refers to the complexity or intellectual challenge of a task, whereas 'taihen' refers to the burden of effort.
Focuses on personal pain or suffering, while 'taihen' describes the objective difficulty of a situation.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Taihen is highly versatile and used across all registers. In formal settings, it often serves as an intensifier for verbs or adjectives. In casual speech, it is the go-to word for expressing sympathy or describing a busy day.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'taihen' as a standalone adverb incorrectly. Remember that when modifying a noun, it must be 'taihen na'. When used as an intensifier, it is usually 'taihen' + adjective.
Tips
Use as an intensifier
You can use 'taihen' before adjectives to mean 'very'. For example, 'taihen kirei' means 'very beautiful'.
Avoid overusing in formal writing
While common in speech, try using 'hijou ni' in formal written reports for a more professional tone.
The empathy marker
Saying 'taihen desu ne' is a standard way to show you are listening and empathizing with someone's struggle.
Word Origin
Derived from the kanji 大 (big) and 変 (change/incident). Historically, it meant a 'major incident' or 'great change', which evolved into describing the difficulty of dealing with such events.
Cultural Context
The Japanese value harmony and modesty. Using 'taihen' allows a speaker to acknowledge a struggle without being overly complaining, making it a socially safe way to express difficulty.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Tai-hen' as 'Tie-hen' (a tight, hard knot). When things are 'taihen', your schedule or situation feels tied up in a tight, difficult knot.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsはい、使えます。例えば「大変素晴らしいですね」と言うと、「非常に素晴らしい」という強調の意味になります。
「とても」は純粋に程度の高さを表す副詞です。「大変」は形容動詞であり、困難な状況という意味を持つため、文脈によって使い分ける必要があります。
はい、使えます。「大変お世話になりました」のように、程度を強調する表現としてビジネスシーンでも頻繁に使用されます。
状況の楽さを表す「楽（らく）」が反対語としてよく挙げられます。
Test Yourself
今日の仕事はとても___。
述語として使う場合は「大変だ」という形になります。
「大変な一日でした」の意味は？
大変は困難や苦労を伴う状況を指します。
（試験 / 大変 / でした / の / 勉強 / は）
「～は～でした」の構文が正解です。
Score: /3
Summary
The word captures the essence of a situation being physically or mentally challenging.
- Used to describe difficult or demanding situations.
- Functions as an adjective or an intensifier meaning 'very'.
- Commonly used to express empathy in daily conversation.
Use as an intensifier
You can use 'taihen' before adjectives to mean 'very'. For example, 'taihen kirei' means 'very beautiful'.
Avoid overusing in formal writing
While common in speech, try using 'hijou ni' in formal written reports for a more professional tone.
The empathy marker
Saying 'taihen desu ne' is a standard way to show you are listening and empathizing with someone's struggle.
Examples
4 of 4引越しは大変です。
Moving is hard.
大変ご迷惑をおかけしました。
I caused you a great deal of trouble.
今日、大変だったね。
It was a tough day today, wasn't it?
大変重要な課題である。
It is a very important issue.
Related Content
Related Phrases
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ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
