Explanation at your level:
You use 어렵다 when something is not easy. If you try to read a book and you don't understand it, you can say 'This book is 어렵다'. It is a very useful word for beginners to describe their learning journey.
At this level, you can use 어렵다 to describe tasks. For example, 'Learning Korean grammar is 어렵다'. You can also use it to talk about tests or homework that require more time and focus than usual.
You can now use 어렵다 to describe abstract situations. 'It is 어렵다 to meet him because he is busy'. This shows you can connect the adjective to complex social contexts and personal schedules.
Use 어렵다 to express nuance. You might say 'It is 어렵다 to agree with that opinion', showing a polite way to disagree. It reflects a more sophisticated command of social interaction and diplomatic language.
In advanced contexts, 어렵다 can describe systemic challenges or philosophical dilemmas. It can imply a state of 'arduousness' in professional writing or academic discourse, indicating that a solution is not readily apparent or easily achieved.
At the mastery level, 어렵다 can be used in literary or metaphorical senses to describe the 'difficulty' of the human condition or the complexity of existence. It bridges the gap between simple difficulty and profound, existential challenge.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Adjective meaning difficult.
- Antonym of easy (쉽다).
- Uses 'ㅂ' irregular conjugation.
- Common in daily and formal contexts.
어렵다 is a fundamental Korean adjective used to describe things that are difficult. Whether you are talking about a math problem, a complex language, or a tough life situation, this is the go-to word.
Think of it as the opposite of 쉽다 (easy). When you encounter something that makes you pause or requires extra brainpower, you can say it is 어렵다. It is a versatile word used in almost every aspect of daily Korean life.
The word 어렵다 has deep roots in the Korean language, evolving from older forms that described the state of being 'hard' or 'painful.' Historically, it was used to express both physical hardship and mental struggle.
Unlike loanwords, this is a native Korean word. It reflects the culture's focus on perseverance and the acknowledgement that growth often comes through overcoming challenges. Over centuries, it has remained a core descriptor for any situation that tests one's limits.
You will use 어렵다 in both formal and informal settings. In casual conversation, you might say "이거 너무 어려워!" (This is too hard!). In a business meeting, you might say "그것은 어려운 결정입니다" (That is a difficult decision).
It pairs well with nouns like 문제 (problem) or 상황 (situation). Remember that as an adjective, it conjugates differently depending on the politeness level you need to maintain with your listener.
1. 어렵게 생각하지 마: Don't overthink it. 2. 어려운 처지: A difficult situation or plight. 3. 말하기 어렵다: Hard to say. 4. 어렵사리: With great difficulty (adverbial form). 5. 어려움을 겪다: To experience hardship or trouble.
어렵다 is a 'ㅂ' irregular verb/adjective. When followed by a vowel, the 'ㅂ' changes to '우'. For example, 어렵다 + 어요 becomes 어려워요.
Pronunciation-wise, focus on the 'eo' sound (like 'uh' in 'but') and the 'ryeop' cluster. It is not a rhyming word in the traditional sense, but it follows the rhythmic patterns of standard Korean adjectives ending in '-다'.
Fun Fact
It has been a core word in the Korean language since the Middle Korean period.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'uh-ryup-dah'.
Similar to UK, focus on the 'eo' vowel.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'eo' as 'o'
- Dropping the final 'p' sound
- Incorrect intonation on the last syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
ㅂ irregular
어렵다 -> 어려워요
Noun + 기
말하기
Adjective conjugation
어렵다 -> 어렵습니다
Examples by Level
한국어는 어려워요.
Korean is difficult.
Polite ending
이 문제는 너무 어려워요.
숙제가 어려워요.
길을 찾기가 어려워요.
말하기가 어려워요.
그것은 어려워요.
이 책은 어려워요.
공부가 어려워요.
요리가 어려워요.
시간을 내기가 어려워요.
그를 이해하기가 어려워요.
결정을 내리기 어려워요.
상황이 어려워요.
다시 시작하기 어려워요.
그것을 믿기 어려워요.
함께 일하기 어려워요.
답을 찾기 어려워요.
그 제안을 받아들이기 어렵습니다.
경제 상황이 어렵다고 합니다.
그의 의도를 파악하기 어렵네요.
이론적으로는 어렵지 않습니다.
관계를 유지하기가 어렵습니다.
진실을 말하기가 어렵습니다.
성공하기가 어려운 환경입니다.
결론을 내리기가 어렵습니다.
그의 논리는 반박하기 어렵습니다.
사회적 합의를 도출하기는 어렵습니다.
이러한 현상을 설명하기는 어렵습니다.
그의 복귀를 기대하기는 어렵습니다.
현실적으로 매우 어려운 과제입니다.
그의 감정을 읽기가 어렵습니다.
이 문제를 해결하기는 어렵습니다.
그의 결정을 존중하기는 어렵습니다.
그의 고뇌를 이해하기는 어렵습니다.
이러한 철학적 난제는 풀기 어렵습니다.
그의 문체를 모방하기는 어렵습니다.
그의 업적을 뛰어넘기는 어렵습니다.
그의 의중을 파악하기는 어렵습니다.
이러한 변화를 수용하기는 어렵습니다.
그의 성취를 평가하기는 어렵습니다.
그의 고집을 꺾기는 어렵습니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"어렵게 생각하지 마"
Don't overcomplicate it.
그냥 단순하게 해, 어렵게 생각하지 마.
casual"어려운 처지에 놓이다"
To be in a tough spot.
그는 지금 어려운 처지에 놓여 있다.
neutral"어렵사리"
With great difficulty.
어렵사리 정상에 올랐다.
neutral"어려움을 극복하다"
To overcome a difficulty.
우리는 어려움을 극복했다.
formal"어려운 걸음 하셨습니다"
Thank you for coming (when it was difficult).
바쁘신데 어려운 걸음 하셨습니다.
formal"입을 떼기 어렵다"
Hard to start speaking (due to awkwardness).
너무 미안해서 입을 떼기 어려웠다.
neutralEasily Confused
Both imply difficulty.
힘들다 is more physical/exhausting.
일이 힘들다 vs 수학이 어렵다.
Both mean tricky.
까다롭다 is about pickiness.
성격이 까다롭다.
Both mean complex.
복잡하다 is about intricacy.
길이 복잡하다.
Both mean hard to understand.
난해하다 is for academic/literary texts.
논문이 난해하다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 은/는 + 어렵다
한국어는 어렵다.
Verb + 기 + 어렵다
말하기 어렵다.
어려운 + Noun
어려운 상황이다.
어렵지 않다
그건 어렵지 않아요.
어렵게 + Verb
어렵게 성공했다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Incorrect conjugation of the 'ㅂ' irregular.
Mixing plain form with polite ending.
Using 'do' instead of just the adjective.
Adjective conjugation error.
This is actually correct, but students often forget the '지' particle.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a heavy rock you can't lift.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it when you need help.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value hard work, so acknowledging difficulty is common.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember the 'ㅂ' to '우' rule.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'eo' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't write '어렵어요'.
Did You Know?
It's one of the first adjectives students learn.
Study Smart
Practice with '쉽다' simultaneously.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'ryup' (rope) that is hard to climb.
Visual Association
A mountain climber struggling to reach the top.
Word Web
Challenge
Try saying '이거 어려워요' to a friend today.
Word Origin
Korean (Native)
Original meaning: Hard/Painful
Cultural Context
None, it is a neutral, everyday word.
Direct translation is 'difficult' or 'hard'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- 시험이 어려워요
- 이해가 안 돼요
- 질문이 있어요
at work
- 결정이 어려워요
- 상황이 복잡해요
- 도와주세요
traveling
- 길 찾기가 어려워요
- 말이 안 통해요
- 어디로 가요?
daily life
- 요리가 어려워요
- 너무 피곤해요
- 시간이 없어요
Conversation Starters
"한국어 공부가 어때요?"
"요즘 어려운 일이 있어요?"
"이 문제가 왜 어려워요?"
"어떻게 하면 쉬워질까요?"
"무엇을 배우기가 가장 어려워요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 가장 어려웠던 일은 무엇인가요?
어려움을 극복한 경험을 써보세요.
공부할 때 가장 어려운 점은 무엇인가요?
어려운 결정을 내려야 했던 적이 있나요?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is an adjective.
It is a 'ㅂ' irregular, so it becomes 어려워요.
Yes, to say someone is hard to deal with.
No, it's very neutral.
어려웠다.
Yes, 어려움.
No, usually not.
Yes, often for difficult decisions.
Test Yourself
한국어 공부가 ___.
Learning Korean is difficult.
Which word is the opposite of 어렵다?
쉽다 means easy.
어렵다 is a verb.
It is an adjective.
Word
Meaning
Correct noun-adjective pairing.
이 문제는 너무 어려워요.
Score: /5
Summary
어렵다 is the essential word for expressing that something requires effort and is not easy.
- Adjective meaning difficult.
- Antonym of easy (쉽다).
- Uses 'ㅂ' irregular conjugation.
- Common in daily and formal contexts.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a heavy rock you can't lift.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it when you need help.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value hard work, so acknowledging difficulty is common.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember the 'ㅂ' to '우' rule.
Example
한국어는 배우기 어려워요.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More general words
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
정도
A2An approximate amount or degree.
위에
A1on top of
절대적
B2Being unconditional, unlimited, or not relative to anything else. It describes something that is certain, total, or supreme without comparison.
절대로
A2Never, absolutely not.
우연적이다
B2To be accidental or coincidental; happening by chance.
우연히
B1By chance, accidentally, or unexpectedly. Often used in TOEFL listening narratives or history passages about accidental discoveries.
데리다
A1To take (a person); to pick up.
따라
A2Along, according to.
