Difficulty refers to obstacles or problems that are hard to overcome, requiring extra effort.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Things that are hard to do or solve.
- Requires extra effort to overcome.
- Common in everyday life and work.
Overview
“困难”是一个常用词，用来描述事物发展过程中遇到的阻碍、挑战或难题。它可以指具体的问题，也可以指抽象的困境。这个词在日常交流和书面语中都非常普遍，尤其是在描述需要克服的障碍时。它通常意味着需要付出更多的努力、时间和智慧来解决。
“困难”作为名词，经常与“遇到”、“面临”、“克服”、“解决”、“有困难”、“遇到困难”、“解决困难”等动词或动词短语搭配使用。它也可以用来修饰名词，例如“经济困难”、“生活困难”。在某些语境下，它也可以被用作形容词，但更常见的用法是名词。
这个词经常出现在描述个人挑战、工作项目、经济状况、社会问题以及学习过程的语境中。例如，人们可能会谈论“找工作很困难”、“公司面临财务困难”、“学习新语言会遇到困难”等等。它也常用于表达同情或鼓励，比如“我知道你现在很困难，但请坚持下去”。
与“困难”相似的词包括“麻烦”、“难题”、“障碍”、“挑战”。“麻烦”通常指琐碎但令人烦恼的小事，程度比“困难”轻。“难题”特指需要解答或解决的复杂问题，侧重于问题的复杂性。“障碍”更强调阻碍前进的东西，可以是具体的（如路障）或抽象的（如偏见）。“挑战”则带有积极的意味，暗示着需要通过努力来证明自己或达成目标，有时甚至比“困难”更具激励性。
“困难”是一个中性词，可以指任何程度的阻碍，而“麻烦”偏向负面且程度较轻，“难题”和“障碍”侧重于问题的性质，“挑战”则更积极。
例如：
- 这不是什么大麻烦。(This is not a big trouble.)
- 这个问题是个难题，需要好好研究。(This problem is a tough one and needs careful study.)
- 他的进步遇到了障碍。(His progress encountered obstacles.)
- 这次比赛是一个巨大的挑战。(This competition is a huge challenge.)
- 我遇到了很多困难。(I encountered many difficulties.)
Examples
我最近遇到了一些生活上的困难。
everydayI've recently encountered some difficulties in my life.
该公司正面临严重的财务困难。
formalThe company is facing severe financial difficulties.
这点小困难算什么？我们肯定能搞定！
informalWhat's this little difficulty? We can definitely handle it!
地缘政治因素给全球经济带来了不确定性和困难。
academicGeopolitical factors have brought uncertainty and difficulties to the global economy.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
遇到困难
encounter difficulties
克服困难
overcome difficulties
生活困难
life difficulties
Often Confused With
'难' (nán) is primarily an adjective meaning 'difficult'. '困难' (kùnnán) is primarily a noun meaning 'difficulty' or 'difficulties'. You can say '这个问题很难' (This problem is difficult) but '我们遇到了困难' (We encountered difficulties).
'麻烦' (máfan) often refers to minor troubles or inconveniences, usually less serious than '困难'. It can be used as a noun ('a hassle') or a verb ('to bother'). '困难' implies a more significant obstacle.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '困难' is very common and can be used in almost any situation where something is not easy. It is generally neutral in tone. Avoid using it excessively in contexts where a more specific term like '挑战' (challenge) might be more appropriate and motivating.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '困难' (noun) with '难' (adjective). Remember to use '难' to describe something directly (e.g., '这个任务很难') and '困难' to refer to the difficulty itself (e.g., '我们有困难'). Also, ensure correct verb collocations like '遇到困难' or '克服困难'.
Tips
Use 'Nankun' for Obstacles
Remember '困难' (nánkūn) when you face challenges or things that are hard to achieve. It's a common word for problems.
Avoid Overuse in Positive Contexts
While '困难' is versatile, try using '挑战' (challenge) for situations that are motivating and stimulating, rather than purely negative obstacles.
Resilience in Chinese Culture
Acknowledging '困难' and emphasizing the ability to '克服' (overcome) them reflects the cultural value placed on resilience and perseverance.
Word Origin
The word '困难' combines '困' (kùn), meaning 'trapped', 'distressed', or 'difficult', and '难' (nán), meaning 'difficult'. Together, they strongly convey the sense of being stuck in a difficult situation.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, acknowledging and discussing '困难' is common. The emphasis is often on perseverance and finding ways to '克服' (overcome) these difficulties, reflecting a value placed on resilience and hard work.
Memory Tip
Think of '困难' (kùnnán) as 'cool nan' (nan sounds like 'nan' in 'nanometer') finding it hard to finish a task, hence the difficulty.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“难”通常用作形容词，直接描述事物的性质，表示“不容易”。例如：“这个问题很难”。而“困难”更多用作名词，指代“不容易的事情”或“阻碍”。例如：“我们遇到了困难”。
“困难”是一个非常通用的词，可以用在各种场合，包括日常对话、工作汇报、新闻报道、学术讨论等。只要是描述需要克服的阻碍或挑战，都可以使用。
你可以说“我遇到了学习上的困难”，或者“这家公司正面临经济困难”，还可以说“请不要因为一点困难就放弃”。
在某些特定语境下，可以说“艰巨”、“棘手”来形容非常严重的困难。例如：“这是一项艰巨的任务”或“这是一个棘手的问题”。但“困难”本身已经足够表达不容易的含义。
Test Yourself
最近，由于疫情，许多小企业都遇到了严重的 ______。
句意是企业遇到了问题，需要用名词“困难”来填补空缺。
这句话“学习汉语并不容易”最接近的意思是：
原句“并不容易”直接说明了学习汉语存在难度，即“困难”。
请用以下词语组成一个通顺的句子：遇到 / 困难 / 我们 / 了
这是最符合中文语法的句子结构：主语+谓语+宾语。
Score: /3
Summary
Difficulty refers to obstacles or problems that are hard to overcome, requiring extra effort.
- Things that are hard to do or solve.
- Requires extra effort to overcome.
- Common in everyday life and work.
Use 'Nankun' for Obstacles
Remember '困难' (nánkūn) when you face challenges or things that are hard to achieve. It's a common word for problems.
Avoid Overuse in Positive Contexts
While '困难' is versatile, try using '挑战' (challenge) for situations that are motivating and stimulating, rather than purely negative obstacles.
Resilience in Chinese Culture
Acknowledging '困难' and emphasizing the ability to '克服' (overcome) them reflects the cultural value placed on resilience and perseverance.
Examples
4 of 4我最近遇到了一些生活上的困难。
I've recently encountered some difficulties in my life.
该公司正面临严重的财务困难。
The company is facing severe financial difficulties.
这点小困难算什么？我们肯定能搞定！
What's this little difficulty? We can definitely handle it!
地缘政治因素给全球经济带来了不确定性和困难。
Geopolitical factors have brought uncertainty and difficulties to the global economy.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
