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B2 noun 8 min read

难关

Examples 难关 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 难关 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use '难关' often, but it's helpful to know it means a 'very big problem.' Think of it like a wall. While '难' (nán) means 'hard' (like a hard test), '难关' is a 'hard gate.' You might hear people say '度过难关' (dùguò nánguān), which means 'to get through a hard time.' Imagine you are playing a game and there is a very difficult boss at the end of the level. That boss is a '难关.' It is not just a small mistake; it is a big challenge that you must finish to move to the next part of your life or your work. When you see this word, think of someone needing help to finish a very difficult task. It is a noun, so you use it like 'this is a 难关.'
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For A2 learners, '难关' is a step up from '困难' (kùnnán). While '困难' can be used to say 'I have difficulty speaking Chinese,' '难关' is used for bigger life events. For example, if a family has no money for a month, that is a '难关.' The word '关' (guān) means a pass or a gate. So, '难关' is a gate that is hard to open or pass through. You will see it used with the verb '度过' (dùguò), which means to spend time or to pass through. If you tell a friend 'We will help you 度过难关,' you are being a very good friend. It shows you understand they are going through a serious crisis, not just a small problem. It is common in stories about people overcoming obstacles.
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At the B1 level, you should start using '难关' in your writing and speaking to sound more natural. It is particularly useful in business or academic contexts. Instead of saying 'We have a big problem,' you can say 'We are facing a 难关' (我们面临一个难关). This sounds more professional and serious. You can also use it to describe technical challenges. For example, if you are learning a very hard grammar point that is necessary for the HSK exam, you could call it a 'learning 难关.' Remember that '难关' is a noun and cannot be used to describe a person. You are not '难关,' but you can 'be in a 难关.' It implies that there is a way out, but it requires strategy and hard work to find it.
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At B2, you should understand the nuance between '难关' and its synonyms like '瓶颈' (píngjǐng - bottleneck) or '困境' (kùnjìng - predicament). '难关' specifically suggests a barrier that, once passed, leads to a new stage of success. It is often used in the phrase '攻克难关' (gōngkè nánguān), which means to 'attack and overcome' a hurdle. This is very common in scientific, medical, and engineering contexts. For instance, '攻克癌症难关' (overcoming the hurdle of cancer). It carries a sense of triumph. In your essays, use '难关' to describe critical turning points in history or personal development. It shows a higher level of vocabulary than just using '问题' (wèntí) or '挑战' (tiǎozhàn).
As a C1 learner, you should be aware of the metaphorical and historical weight of '难关.' It invokes the image of the Great Wall's passes (like Shanhai Pass). Using '难关' suggests a strategic obstacle. You should be able to use it in sophisticated collocations like '重重难关' (chóngchóng nánguān - numerous hurdles) or '生死难关' (shēngsǐ nánguān - a life-or-death crisis). In formal speeches, you might pair it with '砥砺前行' (dǐlì qiánxíng - to forge ahead despite hardships). Understanding '难关' at this level means recognizing it in political rhetoric where it represents national struggle and the collective will to overcome systemic issues. It is a word of resilience and strategic overcoming.
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At the C2 level, you can master the subtle rhetorical uses of '难关.' It can be used to frame a narrative of progress. For example, in a philosophical discussion, you might discuss the '难关' of human consciousness or ethical dilemmas. You should also be familiar with idioms and four-character phrases that incorporate the concept of '关' as a barrier, such as '过关斩将' (guòguān zhǎnjiàng - to overcome all obstacles). At this stage, you don't just use the word; you use it to evoke a specific imagery of breakthrough. You can distinguish between a 'technical 难关' and a 'systemic 难关' in a policy debate, and you understand how the word functions to build a sense of urgency and eventual victory in high-level Mandarin discourse.
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Examples

难关 in 30 Seconds

  • 难关 (nánguān) is a noun meaning a 'difficult pass' or 'crisis.' It refers to major obstacles that require significant effort to overcome.
  • It is commonly used in professional and personal contexts to describe financial, technical, or emotional hurdles that act as bottlenecks.
  • Commonly paired with the verb '度过' (dùguò) for passing through a time, or '攻克' (gōngkè) for solving a specific tough problem.
  • Unlike the general word '困难' (kùnnán), '难关' implies a critical juncture or a 'make-or-break' moment in a process.

The Chinese word 难关 (nánguān) is a powerful noun that translates literally to a 'difficult pass' or 'difficult gate.' In ancient times, a 'guan' was a strategic mountain pass or a fortified checkpoint. If an army could not pass the 'guan,' they could not progress. In modern Mandarin, this imagery is applied to any significant obstacle, crisis, or challenging period in life, business, or technology. Unlike the general word for difficulty, 困难 (kùnnán), which can describe something as simple as a hard math problem, 难关 implies a critical juncture—a make-or-break moment that requires intense effort, strategy, and resilience to overcome.

Core Concept
A 'bottleneck' or 'crisis' that acts as a barrier to further progress.
Emotional Weight
It carries a sense of gravity and urgency, often used when discussing financial troubles, health crises, or major technical hurdles.

面对经济危机，我们必须共同度过这个难关。 (Facing the economic crisis, we must get through this difficult period together.)

You will frequently encounter this word in news reports, business meetings, and motivational speeches. It is the 'boss level' of difficulties. When a company is on the verge of bankruptcy, they are facing a 难关. When a scientist is stuck on a problem that prevents a major discovery, that is a technical 难关. It is not just a nuisance; it is a test of character and capability.

他在手术后度过了最危险的难关。 (He passed the most dangerous critical stage after the surgery.)

Common Verb Pairings
度过 (dùguò - to pass/cross), 攻克 (gōngkè - to overcome/capture), 面对 (miànduì - to face).

Culturally, the Chinese people value the ability to 'eat bitterness' (吃苦) to overcome these passes. The word often appears in historical contexts, referring to the survival of the nation through wars or famine. In a personal sense, it is used to offer support to friends, as in 'We will help you get through this tough time' (我们会帮你度过难关).

科研团队终于攻克了技术难关。 (The research team finally overcame the technical bottleneck.)

Using 难关 correctly requires understanding its role as a milestone or a barrier. It is a countable noun, though it is rarely used with specific numbers like 'three difficult passes.' Instead, it is often modified by adjectives like 'technical' (技术), 'financial' (经济), or 'psychological' (心理).

Structure 1: Verb + 难关
The most common verb is '度过' (dùguò). Example: '度过财务难关' (Get through a financial crisis).

只有团结，我们才能度过眼前的难关。 (Only by uniting can we overcome the immediate difficulty.)

Another strong verb is '攻克' (gōngkè), which means to attack and conquer. This is used when the 难关 is a specific problem, like a disease or a complex engineering challenge. You 'attack' the problem until it is solved.

科学家们夜以继日地工作，试图攻克医学难关。 (Scientists worked day and night, trying to conquer the medical hurdle.)

Structure 2: Adjective + 难关
Use descriptive words to specify the type of crisis. '重重难关' (chóngchóng nánguān) means 'layer upon layer of difficulties.'

When describing a person's life, 难关 can refer to a period of grief or unemployment. In these cases, it is often paired with '帮' (bāng - help) or '支持' (zhīchí - support). If you say '我陪你度过难关,' you are telling someone you will stay by their side through their toughest time.

在那段失业的日子里，是家人的支持帮我度过了难关。 (During those days of unemployment, it was my family's support that helped me through the tough period.)

创业初期，他们遇到了不少资金难关。 (In the early stages of their business, they encountered many financial crises.)

Formal Usage
In government documents, you might see '共克时艰' (gòngkè shíjiān), which is a more formal idiom related to overcoming '难关'.

Finally, remember the scale. 难关 is not for small daily annoyances. If you can't find your keys, it's a 麻烦 (máfan). If your car breaks down and you have no money to fix it and you'll lose your job because of it, that's a 难关.

The word 难关 is ubiquitous in professional and serious social settings. If you watch the evening news in China (Xinwen Lianbo), you will hear it frequently in the context of national development or international relations. It is the language of resilience and progress.

Scenario 1: Business and Finance
CEOs use it when addressing employees during a market downturn. 'We are in a difficult pass, but if we innovate, we will survive.'

公司目前面临资金周转的难关。 (The company is currently facing a crisis in cash flow.)

In academic and scientific fields, it refers to the 'bottleneck' in research. If a team of engineers is trying to make a battery last twice as long, they will talk about '攻克电池寿命难关' (conquering the battery life hurdle). It gives the scientific struggle a heroic quality.

经过多次失败，他们终于度过了技术难关。 (After many failures, they finally got through the technical bottleneck.)

Scenario 2: Personal Support
In TV dramas (C-Dramas), you'll hear characters say this to show loyalty. It's a key word in themes of friendship and family bonding.

You will also see it in political slogans. China often emphasizes 'overcoming difficulties' as a collective effort. Phrases like '攻坚克难' (gōngjiān kènán - to storm fortifications and overcome difficulties) are variations of the same spirit found in 难关.

全国人民万众一心，共同度过疫情难关。 (The people of the whole country are of one mind, jointly overcoming the epidemic crisis.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 难关 with 困难 (kùnnán). While both involve difficulty, they are used differently grammatically and contextually. 困难 can be an adjective ('This is hard'), but 难关 is strictly a noun ('This is a hurdle').

Mistake 1: Using it as an Adjective
Incorrect: 那个考试很难关 (Nàge kǎoshì hěn nánguān). Correct: 那个考试是一个难关 (Nàge kǎoshì shì yīgè nánguān).

Incorrect: 我觉得学习汉语很难关。 (I feel learning Chinese is very 'difficult pass'.)

Mistake 2 involves the choice of verb. Learners often use '做' (zuò - do) or '有' (yǒu - have) when they should use '度过' (dùguò) or '攻克' (gōngkè). While you can 'have' a difficulty (有困难), you 'face' or 'pass' a 难关.

Mistake 2: Wrong Verb Collocation
Avoid saying '做难关'. Use '面临难关' (facing a crisis) or '度过难关' (surviving a crisis).

Correct: 我们必须想办法度过这个难关。 (We must find a way to get through this crisis.)

Mistake 3: Forgetting the 'Guan' (Gate) imagery. Because it represents a gate or pass, the verbs used with it are often 'spatial'—moving through, moving past, or breaking down. Using verbs that don't imply 'passage' can sound unnatural to native speakers.

Natural: 攻克技术难关。 (Conquer technical hurdles - implies breaking through a wall.)

Summary of Usage
Difficulty (困难) is a state; Crisis (难关) is a barrier. You solve a difficulty; you pass a crisis.

Lastly, remember that 难关 usually refers to a specific event or phase. You wouldn't say 'My life is a 难关' unless you are describing a specific period of hardship you expect to eventually leave behind.

To truly master 难关, you must see how it fits into the ecosystem of Chinese words for 'problems.' Depending on the intensity and the nature of the obstacle, you might choose a different term.

难关 vs. 困难 (kùnnán)
困难 is the most general term. It can be a noun or adjective. 难关 is more serious, always a noun, and implies a critical turning point.
难关 vs. 瓶颈 (píngjǐng)
瓶颈 literally means 'bottleneck.' It is used specifically for things that slow down progress (like a slow internet connection or a manufacturing delay). 难关 is more about a 'crisis' or 'barrier' that might stop you entirely.

我们正处于发展的瓶颈期。 (We are in a development bottleneck phase - focus on slow speed.)

Another high-level alternative is 困境 (kùnjìng). While 难关 is a 'gate' you must pass through, 困境 is a 'difficult situation' or 'predicament' you are stuck in. Think of 困境 as being in a swamp, and 难关 as a high wall you must climb over.

摆脱困境 (bǎituō kùnjìng) - To break free from a predicament.

难关 vs. 挫折 (cuòzhé)
挫折 means 'setback' or 'frustration.' It is something that knocks you back. 难关 is something that stands in your way.

In summary, choose 难关 when you are talking about a significant, temporary barrier that defines success or failure. It is the most 'epic' word for a problem, suggesting that once it is conquered, the path forward will be clear.

度过难关后，公司迎来了飞速发展。 (After passing the crisis, the company ushered in rapid development.)

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Examples by Level

1

这是一个难关。

This is a difficult pass.

Simple Subject + Verb + Noun structure.

2

我们需要度过难关。

We need to get through the hard time.

度过 (dùguò) is the most common verb for 难关.

3

他不怕难关。

He is not afraid of difficulties.

Negation using 不 (bù).

4

你的难关是什么？

What is your difficulty?

Interrogative sentence with 什么 (shénme).

5

这个难关很大。

This difficulty is very big.

Using 很大 (hěn dà) to describe the scale.

6

我们要一起过难关。

We want to pass the difficulty together.

一起 (yīqǐ) indicates collective action.

7

学习汉语有一个难关。

There is a hurdle in learning Chinese.

Using 有 (yǒu) to indicate existence.

8

过了这个难关就好了。

It will be fine after passing this hurdle.

The particle 了 (le) indicates completion.

1

他们正面临一个经济难关。

They are facing an economic crisis.

面临 (miànduì) means to face.

2

为了度过难关，他卖掉了车。

To get through the crisis, he sold his car.

为了 (wèile) indicates purpose.

3

这是我生活中最大的难关。

This is the biggest hurdle in my life.

Superlative using 最大 (zuì dà).

4

你能帮我度过这个难关吗？

Can you help me get through this crisis?

Question using 吗 (ma).

5

公司度过了最难的难关。

The company passed the hardest hurdle.

Resultative usage of 度过了.

6

无论有多少难关，我们都要努力。

No matter how many hurdles there are, we must work hard.

无论...都 (wúlùn... dōu) structure.

7

他帮朋友度过了难关。

He helped his friend through a tough time.

Verb-object-complement structure.

8

这个难关不容易过。

This hurdle is not easy to pass.

Adjective phrase 不容易 (bù róngyì).

1

科学家们终于攻克了技术难关。

The scientists finally overcame the technical bottleneck.

攻克 (gōngkè) is a formal verb for 'overcoming'.

2

由于资金不足，项目遇到了难关。

Due to lack of funds, the project encountered a crisis.

由于 (yóuyú) indicates cause.

3

只要我们团结，就没有过不去的难关。

As long as we are united, there is no hurdle we cannot pass.

只要...就 (zhǐyào... jiù) conditional.

4

他在病床上度过了生死难关。

He passed through a life-and-death crisis in the hospital bed.

Compound noun 生死难关.

5

面对重重难关，他从未放弃。

Facing numerous hurdles, he never gave up.

重重 (chóngchóng) means 'layer upon layer'.

6

我们需要制定计划来度过这个难关。

We need to make a plan to get through this crisis.

制定 (zhìdìng) means to formulate.

7

这个难关是对我们意志的考验。

This hurdle is a test of our will.

Noun + 是 + Noun structure.

8

她坚强地度过了人生中的难关。

She strongly got through the crisis in her life.

Adverbial 坚强地 (jiānqiáng de).

1

这次改革面临着巨大的体制难关。

This reform is facing huge systemic hurdles.

面临着 (miànlín zhe) indicates an ongoing state.

2

攻克这一难关将是医学史上的里程碑。

Overcoming this hurdle will be a milestone in medical history.

Future tense marker 将 (jiāng).

3

企业在转型过程中难免会遇到难关。

It is inevitable for enterprises to encounter crises during the transition process.

难免 (nánmiǎn) means 'inevitable'.

4

他凭借顽强的毅力闯过了难关。

He broke through the crisis by virtue of his tenacious perseverance.

凭借 (píngjiè) means 'by virtue of'.

5

政府采取了一系列措施来帮助小企业度过难关。

The government took a series of measures to help small businesses through the crisis.

一系列 (yī xìliè) means 'a series of'.

6

心理难关往往比技术难关更难克服。

Psychological hurdles are often harder to overcome than technical ones.

Comparison using 比 (bǐ).

7

这个难关的攻克标志着实验取得了初步成功。

The overcoming of this hurdle marks the preliminary success of the experiment.

标志着 (biāozhì zhe) means 'to mark/signify'.

8

他善于在难关中寻找机遇。

He is good at finding opportunities in the midst of crises.

善于 (shànyú) means 'to be good at'.

1

在历史的长河中，中华民族度过了无数难关。

In the long river of history, the Chinese nation has passed through countless crises.

Metaphorical use of 'long river'.

2

我们需要凝聚共识，共同攻克发展的难关。

We need to build consensus and jointly overcome the hurdles of development.

凝聚共识 (níngjù gòngshí) is a formal phrase.

3

这种核心技术的缺失已成为制约产业升级的难关。

The lack of this core technology has become a hurdle restricting industrial upgrading.

制约 (zhìyuē) means 'to restrict'.

4

他以超凡的智慧化解了一个又一个难关。

He resolved one crisis after another with extraordinary wisdom.

一个又一个 (yī gè yòu yī gè) indicates repetition.

5

唯有改革创新，方能攻克这一时代难关。

Only through reform and innovation can we overcome this crisis of the times.

Literary structure 唯有...方能.

6

该项目的成功标志着我们攻克了深海探测的难关。

The success of the project marks our overcoming of the hurdles in deep-sea exploration.

Specific domain usage.

7

面对生死存亡的难关，他表现出了极大的勇气。

In the face of a life-or-death crisis, he showed great courage.

生死存亡 (shēngsǐ cúnwáng) is a four-character idiom.

8

如何平衡发展与环保是摆在全人类面前的难关。

How to balance development and environmental protection is a hurdle placed before all humanity.

摆在...面前 (bǎi zài... miànqián) structure.

1

在波谲云诡的国际局势中，我们必须稳步度过重重难关。

In the treacherous international situation, we must steadily pass through numerous crises.

波谲云诡 (bōjué yúnguǐ) is a high-level idiom.

2

攻克这一学术难关需要多学科的深度交叉与融合。

Overcoming this academic hurdle requires deep cross-disciplinary integration and fusion.

交叉与融合 (jiāochā yǔ rónghé) is academic terminology.

3

彼时的中国正处于内忧外患的难关之中。

At that time, China was in a crisis of internal strife and foreign aggression.

内忧外患 (nèiyōu wàihuàn) is a classical idiom.

4

他那番慷慨激昂的演讲，激励着大家共渡难关。

His impassioned speech inspired everyone to tide over the difficulties together.

共渡难关 (gòngdù nánguān) is a formal variation.

5

这项技术的突破，意味着我们已然跨越了最艰巨的难关。

The breakthrough of this technology means we have already crossed the most arduous hurdle.

已然 (yǐrán) is a formal word for 'already'.

6

面对能源危机的难关，各国亟需寻求可持续的替代方案。

Facing the hurdle of the energy crisis, countries urgently need to seek sustainable alternatives.

亟需 (jíxū) means 'urgently need'.

7

这一难关的解决，离不开每一位科研人员的夙兴夜寐。

The resolution of this hurdle is inseparable from the tireless work of every researcher.

夙兴夜寐 (sùxīng yèmèi) means 'working day and night'.

8

在漫长的演化史上，生命的延续本身就是不断攻克难关的过程。

In the long history of evolution, the continuation of life itself is a process of constantly overcoming hurdles.

Philosophical framing.

Common Collocations

度过难关
攻克难关
技术难关
经济难关
心理难关
面临难关
重重难关
共渡难关
解决难关
闯过难关

Common Phrases

度过最困难的难关

— To pass the most difficult crisis. Used when the worst is over.

手术很成功，他度过了最困难的难关。

生活难关

— Life's hurdles or tough periods. Refers to personal struggle.

每个人都会遇到生活难关。

财务难关

— Financial crisis or money trouble. Specific to economics.

这笔贷款帮他度过了财务难关。

攻坚克难

— To storm fortifications and overcome difficulties. A very formal idiom.

我们要发扬攻坚克难的精神。

学习难关

— Learning hurdles. Used for difficult subjects.

语法是学习外语的一个难关。

一道难关

— One hurdle. '一道' is a common measure word for gates/passes.

这是摆在我们面前的一道难关。

暂时的难关

— A temporary crisis. Used to offer encouragement.

这只是暂时的难关，别担心。

跨越难关

— To leap over a hurdle. Emphasizes moving past it quickly.

我们终于跨越了这个技术难关。

共同难关

— A shared crisis. Used for community or national problems.

疫情是全人类的共同难关。

科研难关

— Research hurdles. Specific to the scientific community.

这个科研难关困扰了我们很久。

Idioms & Expressions

"攻坚克难"

— To tackle tough problems and overcome difficulties with determination.

在项目最困难的时候，大家攻坚克难，按时完成了任务。

Formal
"共渡难关"

— To pull together to get through a crisis.

灾难面前，全国人民共渡难关。

Formal
"过关斩将"

— To overcome one obstacle after another (literally: pass gates and slay generals).

他在比赛中过关斩将，最终获得了冠军。

Informal/Literary
"万事开头难"

— Everything is difficult at the start (the first gate is the hardest).

别灰心，万事开头难，以后会好的。

Common
"难关重重"

— Beset with numerous difficulties or hurdles.

虽然难关重重，但我们依然充满信心。

Literary
"急人之难"

— To be eager to help those in difficulty.

他向来急人之难，帮大家度过了很多难关。

Formal
"化险为夷"

— To turn danger into safety; to get through a crisis safely.

凭借机智，他多次化险为夷，度过难关。

Literary
"披荆斩棘"
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