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A2 noun #2,800 most common 7 min read

곤란

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 곤란 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 곤란 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of '곤란' as a word for 'trouble' or 'hard times.' While it's a bit advanced for absolute beginners, you might see it in simple stories about people who are poor or need help. You don't need to use the complex Hanja, just remember that '곤란해요' means 'It's difficult' or 'I'm in trouble' in a situational way. For example, if you lose your wallet, you are in a '곤란' situation. It's different from '어려워요' (hard homework). Focus on the phrase '곤란해요' as a way to say something is not easy to do because of a problem.
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At the A2 level, you should start using '곤란하다' to describe situational difficulties. This is the level where you learn to navigate social situations. You can use '곤란해요' to politely decline a request. For example, if a friend asks to borrow your car but you need it, you can say '그건 좀 곤란해' (That's a bit difficult/problematic). You will also see the noun '곤란' used with '있다' or '없다' in simple sentences. It's a useful word for explaining why you can't do something without being too direct or rude.
At the B1 level, you should understand the grammatical patterns like '-기 곤란하다'. This is very common when talking about things that are hard to say, hard to do, or hard to decide. You will also encounter the word in more formal contexts, such as news reports about 'economic difficulty' (경제적 곤란). You should be able to distinguish between '어렵다' (technical difficulty) and '곤란하다' (situational/social difficulty). You can use it to describe being in a 'tight spot' (곤란한 상황) and explain the reasons behind it using connectors like '-아/어서'.
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At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '곤란' in professional and formal settings. You will understand nuances like '곤란을 겪다' (to experience hardship) and '곤란에 처하다' (to be faced with difficulty). You can use this word to negotiate or set boundaries in a business context. You should also recognize it in literature or more complex media where characters face moral dilemmas. At this level, you can also start using synonyms like '난처하다' or '난감하다' to express more specific types of awkwardness or being at a loss.
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At the C1 level, you should master the idiomatic and high-level expressions involving '곤란'. Phrases like '곤란을 면치 못하다' (cannot avoid trouble) or '곤란을 타개하다' (to overcome/break through a difficulty) should be part of your vocabulary. You understand the deep cultural implication of using '곤란하다' as a diplomatic tool to maintain harmony (Chemyeon) while saying no. You can analyze texts that discuss social issues like '생활 곤란' (hardship in living) and discuss the nuances between various Hanja-based synonyms in academic or professional discussions.
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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of '곤란'. You understand its etymological roots and how they influence its usage in modern Korean. You can use the word in abstract philosophical contexts or high-level legal and political discourse. You are aware of how the word has evolved and can use it with perfect register, whether you are writing a formal petition or engaging in a subtle social maneuver. You can distinguish the finest shades of meaning between '곤란', '곤경', '난관', and '역경', and use each precisely to convey the exact nature of a challenge.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

곤란 in 30 Seconds

  • 곤란 means situational difficulty or trouble, often used to say 'no' politely.
  • It comes from Hanja: 困 (trapped) and 難 (difficult).
  • Commonly used as an adjective: 곤란하다 (to be difficult/problematic).
  • Differs from 어렵다 (hard) by focusing on circumstances rather than skill.

The Korean word 곤란 (困難) is a noun that encapsulates a specific type of difficulty—one that often involves being in a 'tight spot' or a state of perplexity. Unlike the general word for 'hard' (어렵다), 곤란 implies a situation where one is hindered by circumstances, social pressure, or a lack of resources, making it hard to proceed or decide. It is deeply rooted in the Hanja characters 困 (곤), meaning 'to be surrounded or trapped,' and 難 (란), meaning 'difficult.' Together, they paint a picture of being boxed in by a problem.

Core Nuance
A situation where you are stuck between choices or facing a social obstacle.
Social Function
Often used as a polite way to say 'no' or 'that is not possible' in professional settings.
Emotional Weight
Carries a sense of awkwardness (난처함) or being at a loss for words.

지금 그 질문에 대답하기는 좀 곤란합니다. (It is a bit difficult/awkward for me to answer that question right now.)

In a broader sense, 곤란 can refer to financial hardship (경제적 곤란) or physical distress, but in modern daily conversation, it most frequently appears in the adjective form 곤란하다. This adjective describes a state where something is 'problematic' or 'unacceptable' due to the trouble it would cause. For example, if someone asks for a favor that violates company policy, you wouldn't just say it's 'hard' (어렵다); you would say it's '곤란하다' to indicate that the situation itself is inappropriate or difficult to navigate.

생활이 곤란해서 도움을 요청했습니다. (I requested help because my living situation was difficult/in hardship.)

Understanding 곤란 requires recognizing the difference between technical difficulty and situational difficulty. If a math problem is hard, it is '어렵다'. If someone asks you to lend them money you don't have, the situation is '곤란하다'. It is the 'trouble' that arises from human interaction or unfortunate circumstances. It is a word that bridges the gap between 'hardship' and 'awkwardness'.

이런 식으로 행동하시면 저희도 곤란합니다. (If you act this way, it makes things difficult for us too.)

Usage in Media
Commonly heard in K-Dramas when a character is being pressured into a secret deal.
Formal Context
Used in legal or official documents to describe 'hardship' (e.g., 경제적 곤란).

Using 곤란 correctly involves choosing between its noun form and its much more common adjective form, 곤란하다. In most spoken contexts, you will use the adjective to describe a situation that is awkward, problematic, or difficult to handle. It is a high-frequency word in business Korean because it allows for a 'soft rejection'. Instead of saying 'No, I can't,' saying 'It's a bit 곤란' implies that the circumstances make it impossible, which saves face for both parties.

Grammar Pattern 1
-기(가) 곤란하다: Used when an action is difficult to perform. (e.g., 말하기 곤란하다 - difficult to say).
Grammar Pattern 2
곤란에 빠지다: To fall into trouble or a difficult situation.
Grammar Pattern 3
곤란을 겪다: To experience/undergo hardship.

When you use 곤란 as a noun, it often pairs with verbs like '겪다' (to experience) or '처하다' (to be in a situation). For example, '경제적 곤란에 처하다' means to face financial hardship. This is more formal and often used in writing or news reports. In contrast, '곤란해요' is something you might say to a pushy salesperson or a friend asking for an unreasonable favor.

갑자기 그렇게 말씀하시면 제가 참 곤란하네요. (If you say that so suddenly, I'm quite put in a difficult spot.)

Another important usage is the phrase '곤란을 면치 못하다', which means 'cannot avoid trouble' or 'is bound to face difficulty'. This is a sophisticated expression used in journalism to predict negative outcomes. For learners, mastering the 'soft no' is the most practical application. If someone asks for your phone number and you don't want to give it, you can say, '개인 정보라 좀 곤란합니다' (It's personal information, so it's a bit difficult).

You will encounter 곤란 in various settings, ranging from high-stakes business meetings to everyday social interactions. Its versatility makes it a staple of the Korean language. In the workplace, it is the go-to word for declining requests that fall outside of protocol. If a client asks for a discount that hasn't been approved, a manager might say, '그 가격은 저희로서도 곤란합니다' (That price is difficult for us as well).

At the Office
Declining requests, explaining delays, or discussing budget issues.
In the News
Reporting on people facing 'financial hardship' (경제적 곤란) or 'diplomatic trouble' (외교적 곤란).
In Daily Life
Rejecting unwanted advances or explaining why you can't attend an event.

교통 체증 때문에 제시간에 도착하기 곤란할 것 같습니다. (Because of the traffic jam, it seems like it will be difficult to arrive on time.)

In Korean dramas, this word is often used when a character is caught in a lie or a scandal. The phrase '곤란한 상황' (a difficult/awkward situation) is frequently used to describe the tension. It's also used in customer service. If a customer asks for something impossible, the staff will use '곤란하다' to signal the limitation of their service without being rude.

The most common mistake learners make is using 곤란하다 when they should use 어렵다 (hard/difficult). While they overlap, they are not interchangeable. '어렵다' is used for tasks that require effort or intelligence (like learning a language or solving a puzzle). '곤란하다' is used for situations that cause trouble, embarrassment, or social friction.

Mistake 1
Using 곤란하다 for school subjects. (Incorrect: 수학이 곤란해요. Correct: 수학이 어려워요.)
Mistake 2
Using it for physical difficulty. (Incorrect: 가방이 무거워서 곤란해요. Correct: 가방이 무거워서 힘들어요.)
Mistake 3
Confusing it with '난처하다'. While similar, '난처하다' is more about the internal feeling of embarrassment, while '곤란하다' is more about the external situation being problematic.

Wrong: 한국어 문법이 너무 곤란해요.
Right: 한국어 문법이 너무 어려워요.

Another error is using the noun form '곤란' where the adjective '곤란하다' is needed. In English, we might say 'This is a difficulty,' but in Korean, it's much more natural to say '이것은 곤란합니다' (This is difficult/problematic). The noun '곤란' is usually reserved for fixed expressions like '곤란을 겪다'.

Korean has several words for 'difficulty,' each with its own flavor. Understanding the synonyms of 곤란 will help you sound more like a native speaker and choose the right word for the right context.

난처하다 (Nancheohada)
Focuses on the feeling of being in a tight spot or embarrassed. Use this when you don't know how to react to a situation.
난감하다 (Nangamhada)
Describes a state of being at a loss or helpless because a situation is so unexpected or difficult.
어렵다 (Eoryeopda)
The general word for 'hard'. It covers everything from complex math to tough life circumstances.
힘들다 (Himdeulda)
Focuses on the physical or emotional exhaustion caused by a difficulty.

상대방의 질문이 너무 날카로워 대답하기 난처했다. (The opponent's question was so sharp that it was awkward/difficult to answer.)

While 곤란하다 and 난처하다 are often used interchangeably, 곤란하다 sounds slightly more objective and formal. If a company cannot fulfill a contract, they would use 곤란하다. If an individual is asked an embarrassing personal question, they would feel 난처하다. '난감하다' is often used when you face a 'dead end'—for example, if you arrive at the airport and realize you forgot your passport, that is a '난감한 상황'.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

-기(가) 쉽다/어렵다/곤란하다

-아/어서 (Reason)

-ㄹ 텐데 (Supposition)

-기 때문에 (Because)

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Examples by Level

1

돈이 없어서 곤란해요.

I'm in trouble because I have no money.

-어서 (because) + 곤란해요

2

길을 잃어서 곤란해요.

I'm in trouble because I'm lost.

Noun + 곤란

3

도움이 필요해요. 곤란해요.

I need help. I'm in trouble.

Simple sentence

4

비가 와서 곤란해요.

It's troublesome because it's raining.

Weather context

5

친구가 없어서 곤란해요.

It's hard because I have no friends.

Social context

6

너무 배가 고파서 곤란해요.

It's difficult because I'm so hungry.

Physical state

7

가방을 잃어버려서 곤란해요.

I'm in trouble because I lost my bag.

Loss of item

8

시간이 없어서 곤란해요.

It's troublesome because there's no time.

Time constraint

1

지금은 말하기 좀 곤란해요.

It's a bit difficult to talk right now.

-기 (nominalizer) + 곤란하다

2

그 부탁은 들어주기 곤란합니다.

It's difficult to grant that favor.

Formal ending -습니다

3

갑자기 손님이 오셔서 곤란했어요.

I was in a spot because guests came suddenly.

Past tense -았/었-

4

핸드폰이 고장 나서 아주 곤란해요.

My phone is broken, so it's very troublesome.

Adverb '아주' (very)

5

숙제를 안 가져와서 곤란해요.

I'm in trouble because I didn't bring my homework.

Negative '안'

6

이름을 잊어버려서 곤란했어요.

I was embarrassed because I forgot the name.

Social awkwardness

7

돈을 안 가져와서 곤란한 상황이에요.

I'm in a difficult situation because I didn't bring money.

Noun modification 곤란한 + 상황

8

혼자 하기에는 좀 곤란해요.

It's a bit difficult to do alone.

-기에는 (for doing something)

1

경제적 곤란을 겪는 사람들이 많아요.

There are many people experiencing financial hardship.

Noun + 을 겪다 (to experience)

2

그 질문은 대답하기가 참 곤란하네요.

That question is truly difficult to answer.

-기가 (subject marker with nominalizer)

3

거절하기 곤란해서 그냥 수락했어요.

It was hard to refuse, so I just accepted.

-아/어서 (reason)

4

곤란한 일이 생기면 언제든 연락하세요.

If something troublesome happens, contact me anytime.

-면 (if)

5

그의 무례한 태도 때문에 곤란을 겪었다.

I faced trouble because of his rude attitude.

Written style (plain form)

6

비밀을 지키기가 곤란해졌어요.

It has become difficult to keep the secret.

-아/어지다 (become)

7

예산이 부족해서 사업 진행이 곤란합니다.

It's difficult to proceed with the project due to lack of budget.

Professional context

8

양쪽 입장이 달라서 결정하기 곤란해요.

It's hard to decide because the two sides have different positions.

Decision making

1

그는 갑작스러운 질문에 곤란한 표정을 지었다.

He made a troubled face at the sudden question.

표정을 짓다 (to make a face)

2

회사가 자금난으로 곤란에 처해 있습니다.

The company is facing difficulty due to financial distress.

곤란에 처하다 (to be faced with difficulty)

3

개인적인 사정으로 참여하기 곤란함을 양해 바랍니다.

Please understand that it is difficult to participate due to personal reasons.

곤란함 (noun form) + 양해 (understanding)

4

이런 식의 보도는 언론사로서도 곤란할 텐데요.

This kind of reporting must be difficult for the media outlet as well.

-ㄹ 텐데 (supposition)

5

곤란한 상황을 모면하기 위해 거짓말을 했다.

I lied to escape a difficult situation.

모면하다 (to escape/evade)

6

그의 제안은 받아들이기 곤란한 측면이 있다.

There are aspects of his proposal that are difficult to accept.

측면 (aspect)

7

교통사고로 인해 통행에 곤란을 주고 있다.

It is causing difficulty in traffic due to a car accident.

통행 (passage/traffic)

8

어느 한 쪽의 편을 들기가 참 곤란한 문제다.

It's a problem where it's very difficult to take one side.

편을 들다 (to take sides)

1

정부는 경제적 곤란에 빠진 서민들을 돕기로 했다.

The government decided to help ordinary people who have fallen into economic hardship.

서민 (ordinary people)

2

그의 발언은 외교적으로 상당히 곤란한 파장을 일으켰다.

His remarks caused a considerably difficult diplomatic ripple.

파장을 일으키다 (cause a ripple/impact)

3

진실을 밝히자니 동료가 곤란해질 것 같아 망설여진다.

I hesitate because revealing the truth might put my colleague in a difficult spot.

-자니 (now that I try to...)

4

이번 사태로 인해 경영진은 곤란을 면치 못할 것으로 보인다.

Due to this incident, the management is expected to be unable to avoid trouble.

곤란을 면치 못하다 (cannot avoid trouble)

5

그는 곤란한 처지에 놓인 이웃을 외면하지 않았다.

He did not turn away from neighbors in a difficult situation.

처지에 놓이다 (to be placed in a situation)

6

법적으로 곤란한 문제가 얽혀 있어 해결이 쉽지 않다.

There are complicated legal issues involved, so resolution is not easy.

얽혀 있다 (to be entangled)

7

그 정책은 실효성 측면에서 곤란한 점이 많다.

That policy has many difficult points in terms of effectiveness.

실효성 (effectiveness)

8

예기치 못한 변수로 인해 계획 수정이 곤란해졌다.

Modification of the plan became difficult due to unexpected variables.

예기치 못한 (unexpected)

1

인간 존재의 근원적 곤란을 탐구하는 철학적 담론.

A philosophical discourse exploring the fundamental hardships of human existence.

근원적 (fundamental/root)

2

그 조약은 주권 침해의 소지가 있어 비준하기 곤란하다.

The treaty is difficult to ratify as it has the potential for sovereignty infringement.

비준하다 (to ratify)

3

역경과 곤란을 딛고 일어선 그의 삶은 감동을 준다.

His life, having risen above adversity and hardship, is moving.

딛고 일어서다 (to overcome/step up from)

4

학문적 양심상 그 이론을 긍정하기는 곤란한 입장이다.

From the standpoint of academic conscience, it is difficult to affirm that theory.

양심상 (for conscience's sake)

5

사회적 약자들이 겪는 생활상의 곤란은 필설로 다하기 어렵다.

The hardships in daily life experienced by the socially vulnerable are beyond description.

필설로 다하기 어렵다 (hard to describe in words)

6

정치적 이해관계가 얽혀 있어 타협점을 찾기 곤란한 형국이다.

The situation is such that it is difficult to find a compromise due to entangled political interests.

형국 (situation/state of affairs)

7

그의 주장은 논리적 일관성이 결여되어 있어 동조하기 곤란하다.

His argument lacks logical consistency, making it difficult to agree with.

결여되어 있다 (to be lacking)

8

곤란을 타개하기 위한 혁신적인 대책 마련이 시급하다.

It is urgent to prepare innovative measures to break through the difficulty.

타개하다 (to break through)

Common Collocations

곤란을 겪다
곤란에 처하다
곤란에 빠지다
경제적 곤란
생활 곤란
대답하기 곤란하다
거절하기 곤란하다
곤란을 면하다
매우 곤란하다
참으로 곤란하다

Common Phrases

좀 곤란한데요
곤란한 상황
곤란한 질문
곤란한 표정
곤란을 느끼다
곤란이 생기다
곤란을 해결하다
곤란을 이겨내다
곤란을 호소하다
곤란을 주다

Often Confused With

곤란 vs 어렵다 (Technical difficulty)

곤란 vs 힘들다 (Exhaustion)

곤란 vs 난처하다 (Internal embarrassment)

Idioms & Expressions

"곤란을 면치 못하다 (Cannot avoid trouble)"
"진퇴양난 (In a dilemma/between a rock and a hard place)"
"설상가상 (To make matters worse)"
"산 넘어 산 (One difficulty after another)"
"사면초가 (Surrounded by enemies/no way out)"
"곤란을 무릅쓰다 (To brave difficulties)"
"곤란을 타개하다 (To break through a difficulty)"
"곤란을 자초하다 (To bring trouble upon oneself)"
"곤란을 겪어봐야 안다 (You only know after experiencing hardship)"
"곤란할 때 친구가 진짜 친구다 (A friend in need is a friend indeed)"

Easily Confused

곤란 vs

곤란 vs

곤란 vs

곤란 vs

곤란 vs

Sentence Patterns

Word Family

Related

빈곤 (poverty)
곤경 (predicament)
난이도 (difficulty level)
난관 (obstacle)
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How to Use It

nuance

곤란 implies a 'problem' or 'obstacle', while 어렵다 implies 'complexity'.

social

Essential for 'Face-saving' in Korean culture.

Common Mistakes
  • Using it for 'hard' math problems.
  • Using it for 'heavy' objects.
  • Pronouncing it as 'gon-nan' instead of 'gol-lan'.
  • Using it to mean 'I am a difficult person'.
  • Forgetting the '하다' in spoken sentences.

Tips

The Soft No

Saying '곤란합니다' is much better than '안 돼요' (I can't/No).

Subject Marker

Use -기가 with 곤란하다 to emphasize the specific action.

News Terms

Look for '생활고' as a synonym for '생활 곤란' in news.

Liquidization

Remember the ㄴ to ㄹ change. It's not 'gon-nan'.

Formal Reports

Use '곤란을 겪고 있다' to describe ongoing issues.

Preserving Face

Use it to show you want to help but can't.

Professionalism

It sounds more professional than '못 해요'.

Switching

Use '난감하다' if you are completely shocked by the difficulty.

Dilemma

Learn '진퇴양난' to describe a double 곤란.

Setting

Commonly used when rules or laws prevent an action.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Middle Chinese roots. 困 (kùn) + 難 (nán).

Cultural Context

Used to decline without offending.

Common term in social service contexts.

A standard way to signal that a deal is not possible.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"혹시 곤란한 일이 생기셨나요?"

"지금 대화하기 곤란하신가요?"

"부탁하기 좀 곤란한데, 들어주실 수 있나요?"

"어떤 상황이 가장 곤란하신가요?"

"곤란한 상황을 어떻게 해결하시나요?"

Journal Prompts

최근에 겪은 곤란한 상황에 대해 써보세요.

누군가의 부탁을 곤란해서 거절했던 경험이 있나요?

경제적 곤란을 이겨내는 방법은 무엇일까요?

말하기 곤란한 비밀이 있나요?

곤란한 상황에서 나를 도와준 사람은 누구인가요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, use '어렵다'. 곤란하다 is for situational trouble.

Yes, it is a very polite way to say you cannot do something.

It is 困難 (곤란).

It is pronounced [골란] (gol-lan).

곤란 is more about the situation; 난처 is more about your feeling of awkwardness.

Yes, '경제적 곤란' means financial hardship.

Yes, it is a standard Korean word used in both the North and South.

It's better to say '곤란에 처한 사람' (a person in a difficult spot).

Words like '수월하다' (easy/smooth) or '용이하다' (easy).

No, it is an adjective (descriptive verb).

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