Explanation at your level:
If you see a task you cannot do, it is 어려운. It means 'hard'. You can say 'This is hard' (이것은 어려운 일이에요). It is a good word to know when you need help.
You use 어려운 to describe things like homework or tests. 'The test was hard' (시험이 어려운 문제였어요). It helps you explain why you are busy or why you need a friend's help.
At this level, you use it for abstract concepts. You might describe an 어려운 상황 (difficult situation) at work or school. It shows you can articulate complex feelings about challenges.
Use 어려운 to nuance your speech. Instead of just saying 'I can't do it', you can say 'It is an 어려운 task'. It adds a layer of sophistication to your complaints or observations.
In advanced writing, 어려운 helps describe systemic complexities. You might write about 어려운 과제 (difficult assignments) in a project management context. It is essential for professional discourse.
Mastery of 어려운 involves understanding its emotional weight. It can imply social awkwardness or deep intellectual strain. It is a nuanced word that connects to the cultural value of 'endurance' (인내) in Korean society.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means 'hard' or 'difficult'.
- Used to describe nouns.
- Very common in daily life.
- Essential for expressing challenges.
When you call something 어려운 (eoryeoun), you are saying it is hard or difficult. Think of it as a mountain you have to climb; it’s not a simple walk in the park. Whether you are talking about a math problem, a heavy box, or a complicated situation, this word is your go-to.
It is a very common word in Korean because life is full of challenges! Using this word helps you express that you need more time, help, or focus to get the job done. It’s not just about being physically heavy, but also about things that are hard to understand or accomplish.
The word 어려운 comes from the root verb 어렵다 (eoryeopda). In older Korean, the concept of difficulty was closely tied to the idea of being 'not easy' or 'lacking smoothness.' It evolved from early linguistic roots that described obstacles in one's path.
Historically, it has remained a staple in the Korean language, reflecting the cultural value placed on perseverance. While other languages might have different words for 'hard' (like physical hardness vs. mental difficulty), Korean often uses this versatile term for both, showing how the language values the effort behind the action rather than just the object itself.
You use 어려운 when describing nouns. For example, 어려운 문제 (a difficult problem) or 어려운 사람 (a person who is hard to deal with). It is used in both casual and formal settings, making it incredibly versatile.
In formal business, you might say 어려운 상황 (a difficult situation) to show professional concern. In casual talk, you might say 어려운 숙제 (hard homework). It fits almost anywhere, provided you are describing something that poses a challenge to the subject.
1. 어려운 고비를 넘기다: To overcome a difficult hurdle. 2. 어려운 처지에 놓이다: To be in a difficult position. 3. 어려운 부탁을 하다: To make a difficult request. 4. 어려운 길을 가다: To take the hard path. 5. 어려운 숙제를 해결하다: To solve a hard problem.
어려운 is the adnominal form of the adjective 어렵다. It acts as a modifier for nouns. Pronunciation is key: ensure you emphasize the 'eo' sound clearly. It is not a verb, so it doesn't take object markers.
The IPA is roughly /ʌ.ɾjʌ.un/. It rhymes with words that end in 'un' sounds in Korean. Remember, it changes form based on tense and politeness levels, but 어려운 is specifically used to describe a noun that follows it.
Fun Fact
It is one of the most frequently used adjectives in Korean history.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'uh-ryuh-oon'
Sounds like 'uh-ryuh-oon'
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'eo'
- Dropping the final 'n'
- Incorrect stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adnominal forms
어려운
Adjective base
어렵다
Sentence ending
이다
Examples by Level
이것은 어려운 숙제입니다.
This is a hard homework.
Adjective modifying noun
그것은 어려운 일이에요.
어려운 질문을 하지 마세요.
어려운 책을 읽고 있어요.
어려운 길로 가지 마세요.
어려운 수학 문제예요.
어려운 시기를 보냈어요.
어려운 단어인가요?
어려운 부탁을 들어줬어요.
어려운 상황을 해결해야 해요.
그는 어려운 결정을 내렸어요.
어려운 환경에서 자랐어요.
어려운 기술을 배웠어요.
어려운 과제를 끝냈어요.
어려운 목표를 세웠어요.
어려운 사람을 도와주세요.
어려운 과정을 거쳤어요.
어려운 역경을 극복했습니다.
어려운 경제 상황이 지속됩니다.
어려운 문제를 논의합시다.
어려운 결론에 도달했어요.
어려운 문장을 해석하세요.
어려운 관문을 통과했어요.
어려운 선택의 기로에 섰어요.
어려운 현실을 직시하세요.
어려운 철학적 질문에 답하기.
어려운 협상을 성공적으로 마쳤다.
어려운 과학 이론을 설명했다.
어려운 법적 절차를 밟았다.
어려운 사회적 문제를 다루다.
어려운 예술 작품을 감상하다.
어려운 기술적 결함을 수정하다.
어려운 과업을 완수하다.
어려운 운명을 개척해 나갔다.
어려운 고난 속에서도 희망을 잃지 않았다.
어려운 역사의 흐름을 파악하다.
어려운 문학적 은유를 분석하다.
어려운 국제 정세를 파악하다.
어려운 인간 관계를 조율하다.
어려운 학문적 난제를 해결하다.
어려운 시대적 요구에 부응하다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"어려운 고비를 넘기다"
To pass a difficult hurdle
드디어 어려운 고비를 넘겼어요.
neutral"어려운 처지에 놓이다"
To be in a tough spot
그는 어려운 처지에 놓였다.
neutral"어려운 부탁을 들어주다"
To grant a hard request
어려운 부탁을 들어주셔서 감사합니다.
formal"어려운 숙제를 하다"
To do a hard task
오늘 어려운 숙제를 했어요.
casual"어려운 결단을 내리다"
To make a tough decision
어려운 결단을 내렸습니다.
formal"어려운 산을 넘다"
To overcome a big challenge
이제 어려운 산을 넘었어요.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean hard.
힘든 is more physical.
힘든 일 vs 어려운 문제
Both imply difficulty.
까다로운 means picky/complex.
까다로운 사람
Both mean complex.
복잡한 means tangled.
복잡한 기계
Both mean difficult.
곤란한 means awkward.
곤란한 상황
Sentence Patterns
N + 이/가 어려운 N이다
이것은 어려운 문제이다.
어려운 N을 하다
어려운 숙제를 하다.
어려운 N을 극복하다
어려운 상황을 극복하다.
어려운 N에 처하다
어려운 처지에 처하다.
어려운 N을 해결하다
어려운 과제를 해결하다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Adjectives don't take -ㄴ다 ending.
Always use the noun form.
Use the base form for verbs.
Adnominal form is fixed.
Formal writing prefers full forms.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place a heavy book in your mental room.
Native Usage
Use it when you feel stuck.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value hard work.
Grammar Shortcut
Always put it before a noun.
Say It Right
Clear 'eo' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't add '다' at the end.
Did You Know?
It's one of the first words learned.
Study Smart
Use flashcards.
Practice
Record yourself.
Context
Use it in daily complaints.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'row' (eo-ryeo) of books that is hard to read.
Visual Association
A person climbing a steep mountain.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences today using this word.
Word Origin
Korean
Original meaning: Not easy
Cultural Context
None
Directly translates to 'hard' or 'difficult'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- 어려운 숙제
- 어려운 시험
- 어려운 문제
at work
- 어려운 결정
- 어려운 상황
- 어려운 과제
in life
- 어려운 시기
- 어려운 환경
- 어려운 길
socializing
- 어려운 부탁
- 어려운 사람
- 어려운 질문
Conversation Starters
"오늘 어려운 일이 있었나요?"
"가장 어려운 과목은 무엇인가요?"
"어려운 상황에서 어떻게 하시나요?"
"어려운 부탁을 받아본 적 있나요?"
"어려운 문제를 어떻게 푸나요?"
Journal Prompts
Describe an 어려운 day you had.
What is an 어려운 goal you have?
How do you handle 어려운 people?
Write about an 어려운 decision you made.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is an adjective.
Yes, to mean someone is hard to deal with.
매우 어려운.
It is neutral.
No, use '추운' or '더운'.
The base '어렵다' changes, but '어려운' is fixed.
Extremely common.
쉬운.
Test Yourself
이것은 ___ 숙제입니다.
It means the homework is hard.
Which means 'hard problem'?
어려운 means hard.
어려운 means easy.
It means hard.
Word
Meaning
Direct translation.
Noun follows adjective.
그는 ___ 결정을 했다.
He made a hard decision.
Which is a synonym?
힘든 is a synonym.
어려운 can be used for physical weight.
It can describe heavy/difficult tasks.
Subject-Object-Verb.
___ 역경을 이겨냈다.
Hard hardships.
Score: /10
Summary
어려운 is the most common word to describe any challenge or difficulty you face.
- Means 'hard' or 'difficult'.
- Used to describe nouns.
- Very common in daily life.
- Essential for expressing challenges.
Memory Palace
Place a heavy book in your mental room.
Native Usage
Use it when you feel stuck.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value hard work.
Grammar Shortcut
Always put it before a noun.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More academic words
입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
