When you feel 难堪 (nánkān), it means you're embarrassed or in an awkward situation. Imagine tripping in public or saying something silly—that feeling is 难堪.
It describes a feeling of discomfort and shame, often due to a social blunder or an embarrassing circumstance. For example, if someone points out your mistake in front of others, you might feel 难堪.
It's a common human emotion, so understanding 难堪 helps you talk about these everyday experiences in Chinese. Think of it as that 'face-palming' feeling!
When you feel 难堪 (nánkān), it means you're embarrassed or in an awkward situation. Imagine spilling your coffee on a first date – that feeling? That's 难堪. Or maybe someone tells a bad joke, and everyone looks around uncomfortably; that's also 难堪. It's usually about a situation that makes you feel a bit ashamed or uncomfortable. You wouldn't use it for a serious, deep shame, but more for those everyday awkward moments. It's a useful word for describing those cringe-worthy social situations.
When using 难堪 (nánkān), it describes a situation or feeling that is embarrassing, awkward, or difficult to bear. It often refers to a sense of shame or humiliation that makes one feel uncomfortable.
For instance, if someone asks you a very personal question in public, you might feel 难堪. It can also describe a situation where someone is put in a difficult or awkward position, causing them to feel very uncomfortable.
Think of it as feeling a strong sense of discomfort due to an embarrassing or awkward situation.
It’s a feeling that makes you want to disappear!
When using 难堪 (nánkān) at a C1 level, you'll want to grasp its nuances beyond just "embarrassed."
It often implies a deeper, more uncomfortable feeling, sometimes involving shame or humiliation, especially in social situations. It can describe a situation that is awkward or embarrassing for everyone involved, not just one person. Consider the context carefully to convey the intensity of the feeling.
When we say someone feels 难堪 (nánkān), we mean they are embarrassed or awkward, often because of something that has happened to them or been said about them. It describes a feeling of discomfort and shame. Think of it as that cringeworthy feeling when you want the ground to swallow you whole!
It can also describe a situation that is embarrassing or awkward for someone. For example, if someone points out a mistake you made in front of others, you might feel 难堪. This word is really useful for expressing those moments when things just feel... off, and you're caught in an uncomfortable spot.
§ Understanding 难堪: More Than Just Embarrassed
You've learned that 难堪 (nánkān) means 'embarrassed' or 'awkward.' But to truly use it like a native speaker, you need to understand the nuances. It often implies a deeper sense of humiliation, discomfort, or an awkward situation that makes someone feel exposed or put on the spot. It's not just a fleeting blush; it's a feeling that lingers.
§ 难堪 in the Workplace
In a professional setting, 难堪 often comes up when discussing mistakes, public criticism, or situations that damage someone's reputation. It's about losing face or being in an uncomfortable position.
- DEFINITION
- Feeling deeply embarrassed or humiliated due to a professional mishap or public critique.
他在会议上被老板严厉批评，感到非常难堪。
He was severely criticized by the boss in the meeting and felt very embarrassed/humiliated.
因为我的失误，让整个团队都陷入了难堪的境地。
Because of my mistake, the whole team was put in an awkward/embarrassing situation.
§ 难堪 in School
At school, 难堪 can describe the feeling when you're called out for not knowing an answer, or when a social situation goes wrong. It's often related to academic performance or social interactions.
- DEFINITION
- Feeling awkward or humiliated in a classroom or social school setting, often due to a mistake or social gaffe.
老师点名让他回答问题，但他不知道，感觉很难堪。
The teacher called on him to answer a question, but he didn't know, and felt very embarrassed.
在班级聚会上，他不小心打翻了饮料，场面一度很难堪。
At the class party, he accidentally knocked over a drink, and the scene was very awkward for a moment.
§ 难堪 in the News
News reports often use 难堪 to describe situations where public figures, organizations, or even entire nations face humiliation or a deeply embarrassing predicament. It highlights a loss of dignity or public respect.
- DEFINITION
- A public state of humiliation, disgrace, or extreme awkwardness, often reported in media.
丑闻让这位政治家陷入了难堪的境地。
The scandal put the politician in an embarrassing/humiliating situation.
运动员在比赛中的糟糕表现，让他感到非常难堪。
The athlete's poor performance in the competition made him feel very embarrassed.
§ Common Situations for 难堪
Here are some common scenarios where 难堪 is the perfect word:
- Being caught in a lie.
- Having your shortcomings exposed publicly.
- Being unable to fulfill a promise or commitment, especially when others are relying on you.
- Witnessing someone else's severe social gaffe, creating an awkward atmosphere.
- Being the subject of unwanted attention or ridicule.
Understanding these contexts will help you use 难堪 accurately. It's not just about feeling a little red in the face; it's about a deeper sense of discomfort and often, a dent to one's pride or reputation.
Alright, let's talk about 难堪 (nánkān) and how people often trip up with it. It's a useful word, but you gotta use it right. This section is all about the common blunders and how to fix 'em.
§ Don't Confuse 难堪 (nánkān) with simply 'Shy'
A lot of learners think 难堪 (nánkān) means 'shy' or 'embarrassed' in a general, mild sense. While it does mean embarrassed, it's usually a stronger, more awkward kind of embarrassment, often stemming from a social faux pas or an uncomfortable situation. It's not just a cute blush. If you're just a little shy, you might use 害羞 (hàixiū).
- DEFINITION
- 害羞 (hàixiū): Shy, bashful.
她有点害羞，不敢和陌生人说话。
Translation hint: She's a bit shy and doesn't dare to speak with strangers.
Contrast that with 难堪 (nánkān):
他在聚会上说错了话，场面很难堪。
Translation hint: He said the wrong thing at the party, and the scene was very embarrassing/awkward.
§ Using 难堪 (nánkān) as a Verb
While 难堪 (nánkān) is an adjective, some learners mistakenly try to use it as a verb, like 'to embarrass someone'. You can't directly '难堪 (nánkān)' someone. You need to use different structures to express that idea.
Incorrect:
- 他难堪了我。 (Tā nánkān le wǒ.) - This is wrong.
Correct ways to express 'to embarrass someone':
- DEFINITION
- 让 (ràng): To make, to let, to cause.
他的话让我很难堪。
Translation hint: His words made me feel very embarrassed.
- DEFINITION
- 使 (shǐ): To make, to cause (more formal than 让).
这件事使他非常难堪。
Translation hint: This incident made him feel extremely embarrassed.
§ Overusing 难堪 (nánkān) for every 'awkward' moment
Not every awkward moment calls for 难堪 (nánkān). Sometimes, a situation is just 'awkward' in a general, less emotionally charged way. For lighter awkwardness, you might use 尴尬 (gāngà).
- DEFINITION
- 尴尬 (gāngà): Awkward, embarrassed (can be milder than 难堪).
两个人不说话，气氛有点尴尬。
Translation hint: The two people weren't talking, and the atmosphere was a bit awkward.
While there's overlap, 难堪 (nánkān) often carries a heavier feeling of shame or humiliation, whereas 尴尬 (gāngà) can just mean a slightly uncomfortable or socially clumsy situation.
她当众被批评，感到非常难堪。
Translation hint: She was criticized in public and felt extremely embarrassed/humiliated.
§ Forgetting the Context
The context is everything. 难堪 (nánkān) implies that there's a reason for the embarrassment – usually a negative one. Don't use it in situations where there's no clear cause for feeling humiliated or deeply awkward.
Example of appropriate context for 难堪 (nánkān):
他的谎言被揭穿，让他非常难堪。
Translation hint: His lie was exposed, which made him feel very embarrassed/humiliated.
In this case, the exposure of a lie is a clear cause for feeling 难堪 (nánkān). Always think about *why* someone would feel embarrassed or awkward in the situation you're describing. If the reason isn't strong enough, another word might be better.
By keeping these points in mind, you'll use 难堪 (nánkān) much more accurately and naturally. Practice these distinctions, and you'll sound a lot more like a native speaker!
How Formal Is It?
"他在公众场合发言时感到窘迫。(He felt embarrassed speaking in public.)"
"我真不好意思，迟到了。(I'm so embarrassed/sorry, I'm late.)"
"你这样做太丢脸了！(It's so embarrassing for you to do this!)"
"小明被表扬时很害羞。(Xiao Ming was shy when he was praised.)"
"我在年会上唱歌跑调，简直社死了。(I sang off-key at the annual meeting, it was so socially embarrassing.)"
Curiosidade
While '难堪' specifically refers to the feeling of embarrassment, the character '难' is very common and appears in many words related to difficulty, like '难过' (nánguò - sad, hard to get through) or '难题' (nántí - difficult problem).
Nível de dificuldade
Two common characters, but '堪' might be less frequent for beginners.
Both characters have a moderate number of strokes.
Clear pronunciation, second tone for both.
Distinctive tones, unlikely to be confused with many similar-sounding words.
O que aprender depois
Pré-requisitos
Aprenda a seguir
Avançado
Exemplos por nível
我说话的时候他看着我，我觉得有点难堪。
He looked at me when I spoke, I felt a little embarrassed.
在大家面前唱歌让我感到难堪。
Singing in front of everyone made me feel awkward.
他问了一个很私人的问题，我不知道怎么回答，很难堪。
He asked a very personal question, I didn't know how to answer, it was very embarrassing.
我的衣服弄脏了，我觉得很难堪。
My clothes got dirty, I felt very embarrassed.
他摔倒了，大家都看着他，他感到很难堪。
He fell, everyone looked at him, he felt very awkward.
我不知道这个词的意思，问别人有点难堪。
I don't know what this word means, asking others is a bit embarrassing.
他忘了我的名字，我觉得有点难堪。
He forgot my name, I felt a little embarrassed.
在开会的时候手机响了，我觉得很难堪。
My phone rang during the meeting, I felt very awkward.
他说错话了，觉得很难堪。
He said the wrong thing and felt very embarrassed.
在大家面前摔倒，真让人难堪。
Falling in front of everyone is truly embarrassing.
他的问题让我感到难堪，不知道怎么回答。
His question made me feel awkward, I didn't know how to answer.
她发现自己穿错了衣服，感到很难堪。
She realized she was wearing the wrong clothes and felt very embarrassed.
被老师点名回答问题，我有点难堪。
Being called on by the teacher to answer a question, I felt a bit awkward.
那个笑话一点也不好笑，反而让人难堪。
That joke wasn't funny at all, it made people feel awkward instead.
他的行为让全家人都觉得难堪。
His behavior made the whole family feel embarrassed.
当众出丑真是太难堪了。
Making a fool of oneself in public is really too embarrassing.
你这么说让我觉得很难堪。
What you said made me feel very embarrassed.
他在公众场合出丑，让他感到非常难堪。
He made a fool of himself in public, which made him feel very awkward.
我不知道该说什么，场面一度很难堪。
I didn't know what to say, and the situation became quite embarrassing.
被老师当众批评，他觉得很难堪。
He felt very embarrassed being criticized by the teacher in public.
她提了一个很私人问题，让我觉得有点难堪。
She asked a very personal question, which made me feel a bit awkward.
这种难堪的沉默持续了一会儿。
This awkward silence lasted for a while.
当众摔倒让他感到很难堪。
Falling in public made him feel very embarrassed.
她的言行举止让她的朋友感到难堪。
Her words and actions embarrassed her friends.
他在会议上被指出错误时，感到非常难堪。
He felt very embarrassed when his mistake was pointed out in the meeting.
感到难堪 (gǎndào nánkān) - to feel embarrassed.
她不想让别人知道她的窘境，觉得那样会很难堪。
She didn't want others to know her predicament, feeling it would be very awkward.
很难堪 (hěn nánkān) - very awkward/embarrassed.
他的问题让气氛变得有些难堪。
His question made the atmosphere a bit awkward.
变得难堪 (biànde nánkān) - to become awkward/embarrassed.
在公众场合摔倒，确实是一件令人难堪的事情。
Falling in public is indeed an embarrassing thing.
令人难堪 (lìng rén nánkān) - makes people embarrassed/awkward.
为了避免难堪，他选择默默地离开了。
To avoid embarrassment, he chose to leave quietly.
避免难堪 (bìmiǎn nánkān) - to avoid embarrassment.
她发现自己穿错了衣服，感到一阵难堪。
She realized she was wearing the wrong clothes and felt a wave of embarrassment.
一阵难堪 (yī zhèn nánkān) - a wave of embarrassment.
他不知道该如何回应，场面一度十分难堪。
He didn't know how to respond, and the situation was once very awkward.
十分难堪 (shífēn nánkān) - extremely awkward/embarrassed.
不要把别人的隐私当做笑料，那样会让他们很难堪。
Don't treat other people's privacy as a joke; that will make them very embarrassed.
让他们难堪 (ràng tāmen nánkān) - to make them embarrassed.
他在会议上被点名批评后，感到非常难堪。
He felt very embarrassed after being singled out for criticism at the meeting.
她的问题让他陷入了难堪的境地，不知如何作答。
Her question put him in an awkward position, not knowing how to answer.
当众出丑，让他觉得很没面子，也很难堪。
Making a fool of himself in public made him lose face and feel very embarrassed.
我真不明白他为什么说出那些难堪的话。
I really don't understand why he said such embarrassing things.
她把这件事告诉大家，让他觉得很难堪。
She told everyone about it, which made him feel very awkward.
面对这样的指责，他无言以对，只是感到难堪。
Faced with such accusations, he was speechless, only feeling embarrassed.
那个瞬间，气氛变得非常难堪。
At that moment, the atmosphere became very awkward.
他不想让别人看到他难堪的样子。
He didn't want others to see him looking embarrassed.
Frequentemente confundido com
'难堪' is a strong form of embarrassed, often implying humiliation or being put on the spot. Other words like '尴尬', '不好意思', and '害羞' can also be translated as embarrassed, but they carry different nuances of intensity and cause.
'难堪' can mean awkward, especially when referring to an uncomfortable situation that causes personal distress. '尴尬' is also frequently translated as awkward, often describing a general uncomfortable situation or feeling.
'难堪' can imply being shamed, particularly when the embarrassment is due to a loss of dignity or public discomfort. '丢脸' and '羞耻' are more directly related to the concept of shame and disgrace.
Padrões gramaticais
Expressões idiomáticas
"感到难堪 (gǎndào nánkān)"
Feel embarrassed/awkward
他当众被批评，感到很难堪。 (Tā dāngzhòng bèi pīpíng, gǎndào hěn nánkān.) - He was criticized in public and felt very embarrassed.
neutral"场面难堪 (chǎngmiàn nánkān)"
An embarrassing/awkward scene
他们的争吵让在场的所有人都觉得场面难堪。 (Tāmen de zhēngchǎo ràng zàichǎng de suǒyǒu rén dōu juédé chǎngmiàn nánkān.) - Their argument made everyone present feel that the scene was awkward.
neutral"令人难堪 (lìng rén nánkān)"
Causing embarrassment/awkwardness (often used to describe an action or situation)
他的问题问得令人难堪。 (Tā de wèntí wèn de lìng rén nánkān.) - His question was embarrassing to ask.
neutral"窘迫难堪 (jiǒngpò nánkān)"
Extremely embarrassed and awkward (often due to poverty or a difficult situation)
他因为没有钱付账而感到窘迫难堪。 (Tā yīnwèi méiyǒu qián fùzhàng ér gǎndào jiǒngpò nánkān.) - He felt extremely embarrassed and awkward because he had no money to pay the bill.
neutral"自讨难堪 (zìtǎo nánkān)"
Bring embarrassment upon oneself
你这样说只会自讨难堪。 (Nǐ zhèyàng shuō zhǐ huì zìtǎo nánkān.) - Saying that will only bring embarrassment upon yourself.
neutral"难以难堪 (nányǐ nánkān)"
Hard to bear the embarrassment/awkwardness
他的态度让大家难以难堪。 (Tā de tàidu ràng dàjiā nányǐ nánkān.) - His attitude made everyone feel the embarrassment was hard to bear.
neutral"解围难堪 (jiěwéi nánkān)"
Help someone out of an embarrassing situation
幸好他及时出现，为我解围难堪。 (Xìnghǎo tā jíshí chūxiàn, wèi wǒ jiěwéi nánkān.) - Luckily, he appeared in time and helped me out of the embarrassing situation.
neutral"避免难堪 (bìmiǎn nánkān)"
Avoid embarrassment/awkwardness
为了避免难堪，他选择不说话。 (Wèile bìmiǎn nánkān, tā xuǎnzé bù shuōhuà.) - To avoid embarrassment, he chose not to speak.
neutral"陷入难堪 (xiànrù nánkān)"
Fall into an embarrassing situation
他因为说错话而陷入难堪。 (Tā yīnwèi shuōcuò huà ér xiànrù nánkān.) - He fell into an embarrassing situation because he said the wrong thing.
neutral"摆脱难堪 (bǎituō nánkān)"
Get rid of embarrassment/awkwardness
她努力想办法摆脱当前的难堪局面。 (Tā nǔlì xiǎng bànfǎ bǎituō dāngqián de nánkān júmiàn.) - She tried hard to find a way to get rid of the current embarrassing situation.
neutralFácil de confundir
Both '难堪' and '害羞' relate to feelings of discomfort, but '害羞' specifically means shy or timid.
'害羞' is about feeling bashful or timid, often in social situations, and usually isn't caused by a specific embarrassing event. '难堪' is about feeling awkward or embarrassed due to a particular incident or situation.
她感到害羞，所以脸红了。(She felt shy, so her face turned red.)
This is a very common point of confusion as both can often be translated as 'embarrassed' or 'awkward'.
'尴尬' describes an awkward situation or feeling of awkwardness that might or might not involve personal humiliation. It can be a general discomfort. '难堪' implies a stronger sense of personal humiliation or being put in a very uncomfortable, often publicly humiliating, position. It's often more about being shamed or disgraced.
场面很尴尬，我们都不知道说什么。(The scene was awkward, none of us knew what to say.)
Both involve a loss of face or reputation, leading to discomfort.
'丢脸' means to lose face, to be disgraced, or to bring shame upon oneself or one's family. It's often more about reputation and honor. '难堪' is the feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness, which can be a result of '丢脸', but focuses on the internal feeling rather than the external act of losing face.
他的行为让全家丢脸。(His behavior made the whole family lose face.)
This phrase is also commonly translated as 'embarrassed', leading to overlap.
'不好意思' is a more polite and lighter form of embarrassment, often used to apologize for minor inconveniences or express shyness. It can also mean 'excuse me'. '难堪' is a much stronger and more negative feeling of embarrassment, often involving a sense of humiliation or disgrace.
不好意思，我来晚了。(Sorry, I'm late.)
Both relate to feelings of shame or disgrace.
'羞耻' refers to the feeling of shame or disgrace, often due to moral wrongdoing or a severe transgression. It's a deeper, more profound sense of moral failure. '难堪' is about embarrassment or awkwardness, which can be caused by a situation that brings shame, but it's a more immediate and less morally charged feeling.
他为自己的谎言感到羞耻。(He felt shame for his lies.)
Padrões de frases
让人难堪 (ràng rén nánkān)
他的问题让我很难堪. (Tā de wèntí ràng wǒ hěn nánkān.) - His question made me feel very embarrassed.
感到难堪 (gǎndào nánkān)
她感到非常难堪，脸都红了. (Tā gǎndào fēicháng nánkān, liǎn dōu hóng le.) - She felt very awkward, and her face turned red.
处于难堪的境地 (chǔyú nánkān de jìngdì)
他发现自己处于一个非常难堪的境地. (Tā fāxiàn zìjǐ chǔyú yīgè fēicháng nánkān de jìngdì.) - He found himself in a very awkward situation.
场面很难堪 (chǎngmiàn hěn nánkān)
当时的场面非常难堪，大家都不知道说什么好. (Dāngshí de chǎngmiàn fēicháng nánkān, dàjiā dōu bù zhīdào shuō shénme hǎo.) - The scene at that time was very awkward, everyone didn't know what to say.
避免难堪 (bìmiǎn nánkān)
为了避免难堪，他选择了沉默. (Wèile bìmiǎn nánkān, tā xuǎnzé le chénmò.) - To avoid embarrassment, he chose to remain silent.
Família de palavras
Substantivos
Como usar
难堪 (nánkān) is used to describe a situation or feeling that is embarrassing, awkward, or hard to endure. It can refer to a person feeling embarrassed, or a situation being embarrassing.
It often implies a sense of shame or humiliation that makes one feel uncomfortable.
Examples:
- 他的问题让我感到很难堪。 (Tā de wèntí ràng wǒ gǎndào hěn nánkān.)
His question made me feel very embarrassed/awkward. - 她在公共场合大声争吵，场面非常难堪。 (Tā zài gōnggòng chǎnghé dàshēng zhēngchǎo, chǎngmiàn fēicháng nánkān.)
She argued loudly in public, the scene was very embarrassing. - 不要让他太难堪了。 (Bùyào ràng tā tài nánkān le.)
Don't make him too embarrassed/awkward.
1. Confusing 难堪 with 害羞 (hàixiū - shy).
难堪 is about feeling embarrassed or awkward due to a situation or an action, often involving a loss of face. 害羞 is about being timid or bashful, often in social situations, and doesn't necessarily carry the negative connotation of embarrassment.
Incorrect: 他很害羞，因为他穿错了衣服。 (Tā hěn hàixiū, yīnwèi tā chuān cuò le yīfu.)
He was shy because he wore the wrong clothes. (This sounds a bit off.)
Correct: 他感到很难堪，因为他穿错了衣服。 (Tā gǎndào hěn nánkān, yīnwèi tā chuān cuò le yīfu.)
He felt very embarrassed because he wore the wrong clothes.
2. Using 难堪 to describe an embarrassing person (instead of a feeling or situation).
You can say someone feels 难堪, or a situation is 难堪, but you generally don't say a person is 难堪 directly as a permanent characteristic. If you want to say someone is an embarrassing person, you'd use other phrases.
Incorrect: 他是一个难堪的人。 (Tā shì yīgè nánkān de rén.)
He is an embarrassing person. (Grammatically possible, but not the natural way to express it in this context.)
Correct: 他的行为很难堪。 (Tā de xíngwéi hěn nánkān.)
His behavior is very embarrassing.
Correct: 他让我感到很难堪。 (Tā ràng wǒ gǎndào hěn nánkān.)
He made me feel very embarrassed.
Dicas
Basic Meaning of 难堪
难堪 (nán kān) primarily means embarrassed or awkward. It describes a feeling of discomfort, shame, or distress in a social situation.
Using 难堪 for Feelings
You can use 难堪 to describe how someone feels. For example, 他觉得很难堪 (Tā juédé hěn nánkān) means 'He felt very embarrassed.'
Situations that are 难堪
难堪 can also describe a situation that causes embarrassment. For example, 那个场面很难堪 (Nàgè chǎngmiàn hěn nánkān) means 'That scene was very awkward/embarrassing.'
Don't confuse with 害羞 (hàixiū)
While both relate to discomfort, 难堪 is about embarrassment or awkwardness, often due to a mistake or an uncomfortable situation. 害羞 (hàixiū) means shy or bashful, often in a more general sense of being timid or reserved.
Common phrases with 难堪
A common phrase is 让某人难堪 (ràng mǒurén nánkān), which means 'to embarrass someone' or 'to make someone feel awkward.'
难堪 in spoken Chinese
You'll often hear 难堪 in everyday conversations when people recount embarrassing moments or describe awkward situations.
Avoid direct translation of 'awkward'
While 难堪 can mean 'awkward', don't always directly translate 'awkward' into 难堪. For example, an 'awkward silence' might be 尴尬的沉默 (gānggà de chénmò) rather than 难堪的沉默. 难堪 focuses more on the emotional distress.
Examples of 难堪 scenarios
Imagine spilling coffee on yourself in a meeting; that would be a 难堪 situation. Or if someone criticizes you publicly, it would make you feel 难堪.
Practicing with personal stories
Try to think of a time you felt embarrassed or were in an awkward situation. How would you describe it using 难堪?
Stronger meaning than 尴尬 (gānggà)
难堪 often implies a stronger feeling of shame or distress than 尴尬 (gānggà), which can be a lighter form of awkwardness or embarrassment. 难堪 suggests a deeper level of discomfort.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of 'nan' as 'man' and 'kan' as 'can't.' A man can't stand the embarrassing situation. 'Man can't' = 'nan kan.'
Associação visual
Imagine a man trying to sing karaoke but forgetting the lyrics, looking very awkward and embarrassed on stage. The 'nan' part of 'nánkān' looks like a person with their arms out in despair, and 'kān' looks like a stage where someone might perform.
Word Web
Desafio
Describe a situation in Chinese where you or someone you know felt 难堪. For example, '有一次，我在演讲的时候忘词了，感觉特别难堪。' (Once, I forgot my lines during a speech and felt particularly embarrassed.)
Origem da palavra
The term '难堪' (nánkān) is composed of two characters: '难' (nán), meaning 'difficult' or 'hard,' and '堪' (kān), which means 'to endure' or 'to bear.'
Significado original: Together, they convey the sense of something being 'difficult to bear' or 'hard to endure,' leading to the feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic, ChineseContexto cultural
When Chinese people use '难堪,' it often implies a social discomfort where one's dignity or 'face' (面子, miànzi) might be compromised. Causing someone to feel '难堪' is generally considered impolite, as it can disrupt social harmony and respect. It's a feeling often associated with situations where one feels exposed or put on the spot.
Teste-se 114 perguntas
她觉得很___。
Context indicates she felt embarrassed, making '难堪' the correct choice.
他因为迟到感到很___。
Being late often causes embarrassment, so '难堪' fits best.
这个情况让人觉得很___。
An awkward situation makes people feel '难堪'.
她不小心说错了话，觉得很___。
Saying the wrong thing by accident often leads to feeling '难堪'.
在大家面前出丑让他很___。
Losing face in front of others is definitely '难堪'.
他发现自己穿错了衣服，感觉很___。
Wearing the wrong clothes can make one feel '难堪'.
她不小心摔倒了，感到很___。
The context implies a feeling of embarrassment after falling, which matches 难堪.
当老师问了一个我不知道答案的问题，我感到很___。
Not knowing an answer in class can make one feel embarrassed or awkward, which is 难堪.
他在很多人面前唱歌走调了，觉得很___。
Singing off-key in front of people would likely make someone feel embarrassed, matching 难堪.
如果你感到难堪，你可能会觉得有点不舒服。
难堪 (nán kān) describes a feeling of discomfort or embarrassment.
吃好吃的东西会让人感到难堪。
Eating delicious food usually makes people happy, not embarrassed. 难堪 is for awkward or embarrassing situations.
当你说错话时，你可能会感到难堪。
Saying the wrong thing often leads to a feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness, which is 难堪.
Listen and understand 'hello'.
Listen and understand 'thank you'.
Listen and understand 'goodbye'.
Read this aloud:
你好
Focus: nǐ hǎo
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
谢谢
Focus: xiè xie
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
再见
Focus: zài jiàn
Você disse:
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Imagine you accidentally spilled water on your friend's new book. How would you describe how you feel using "难堪"?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我把水洒在朋友的新书上，觉得很难堪，赶紧向他道歉。
You said something funny but no one laughed. Describe your feeling using "难堪".
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我讲了个笑话，但是大家都没笑，我感觉有点难堪。
You wore different colored socks to a party. How would you express feeling "难堪"?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我去派对穿了两只不一样的袜子，觉得很难堪。
小明为什么觉得难堪？
Read this passage:
小明在课堂上睡着了。老师叫他回答问题的时候，他不知道答案。小明觉得很难堪。
小明为什么觉得难堪？
小明睡着了，老师提问他不知道答案，所以他感到难堪。
小明睡着了，老师提问他不知道答案，所以他感到难堪。
作者在什么地方感到难堪？
Read this passage:
我在餐厅吃饭的时候，不小心把汤洒到了衣服上。我感到非常难堪。
作者在什么地方感到难堪？
文章中提到'我在餐厅吃饭的时候'，所以是在餐厅。
文章中提到'我在餐厅吃饭的时候'，所以是在餐厅。
丽丽为什么觉得难堪？
Read this passage:
丽丽第一次上台表演，唱歌的时候忘记了歌词。她觉得很难堪。
丽丽为什么觉得难堪？
丽丽因为忘记了歌词而感到难堪。
丽丽因为忘记了歌词而感到难堪。
This sentence means 'He is very happy.' The basic structure is Subject + Adverb + Adjective.
This sentence means 'I am a student.' The basic structure is Subject + 是 (shì - to be) + Noun.
This sentence means 'Do you like to eat rice?' The basic structure is Subject + Verb + Object + 吗 (ma - question particle).
她觉得很___，因为她穿错了衣服。
The sentence describes someone feeling embarrassed because they wore the wrong clothes. '难堪' (nánkān) means embarrassed or awkward.
当老师问他问题时，他不知道答案，感到很___。
Not knowing the answer when asked by a teacher would make someone feel embarrassed or awkward, which is '难堪' (nánkān).
在派对上，他说了一个笑话，但是没有人笑，让他觉得很___。
If no one laughs at a joke, the person telling it would likely feel embarrassed or awkward. '难堪' (nánkān) fits this context.
如果你在很多人面前摔倒了，你可能会感到难堪。
Falling in front of many people is a situation that would typically cause embarrassment, which is what '难堪' (nánkān) means.
听到好消息的时候，人们会感到难堪。
Good news usually makes people happy or excited, not embarrassed. '难堪' (nánkān) means embarrassed or awkward.
当有人称赞你的时候，你可能会感到难堪。
Receiving praise can sometimes make people feel a bit awkward or embarrassed, especially if they are shy or modest. So, feeling '难堪' (nánkān) in this situation is possible.
He said the wrong thing and felt very embarrassed.
She felt very awkward.
Don't embarrass him.
Read this aloud:
我很怕难堪。
Focus: nán kān
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这真让人难堪。
Focus: ràng rén nán kān
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
她不想让别人难堪。
Focus: bú xiǎng ràng bié rén nán kān
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
她因为在大家面前跌倒而感到很___。
The context of falling in front of everyone suggests an embarrassing situation.
他的问题让我觉得很___，不知道怎么回答。
A question that makes one unsure how to answer often creates an awkward feeling.
他说话的方式总是让人感到___。
If someone's way of speaking makes others uncomfortable, '难堪' is appropriate.
发现自己穿错了衣服，她觉得很___。
Wearing the wrong clothes in public is a classic embarrassing situation.
当他被老师批评时，他感到非常___。
Being criticized by a teacher can make a person feel embarrassed.
那场演出出了很多问题，让演员们都很___。
Many problems during a performance would naturally make the actors feel awkward or embarrassed.
她觉得很___，因为她穿错了衣服。
The sentence describes a feeling of embarrassment due to wearing the wrong clothes, so '难堪' (embarrassed/awkward) is the correct choice.
在公共场合说错话会让人觉得很___。
Making a mistake in public often leads to feeling embarrassed or awkward, which '难堪' perfectly describes.
他因为忘记了朋友的名字而感到非常___。
Forgetting a friend's name can cause embarrassment or an awkward feeling, making '难堪' the appropriate word.
如果一个人感到难堪，他可能会笑得很开心。
When someone feels '难堪' (embarrassed/awkward), they are unlikely to be laughing happily. It's usually associated with discomfort.
在重要的会议上不小心打翻咖啡会让人觉得难堪。
Accidentally spilling coffee in an important meeting is a situation that would definitely make someone feel '难堪' (embarrassed/awkward).
当受到别人的表扬时，你会感到难堪。
Receiving praise usually makes one feel happy or proud, not '难堪' (embarrassed/awkward).
What does he feel?
How was the scene?
What does she want to avoid?
Read this aloud:
我真觉得难堪。
Focus: 难堪 (nánkān)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
别让别人难堪。
Focus: 别让 (biéràng)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这让我很尴尬，很难堪。
Focus: 尴尬 (gāngà)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'He felt very embarrassed.' The common structure is 'Subject + 感到 (feel) + adverb (非常 - very) + adjective (难堪 - embarrassed)'.
This sentence means 'Her question made me very awkward/embarrassed.' The structure 'Subject + 让 (let/make) + Object + adjective (难堪 - awkward/embarrassed)' is used.
This sentence means 'He never feels embarrassed in public.' '在...场合 (in...occasion)' sets the context, followed by 'Subject + 从不 (never) + 觉得 (feel) + adjective (难堪 - embarrassed)'.
当众出丑让他觉得很___。(Being made a fool of in public made him feel very ___.)
The context implies embarrassment due to public humiliation.
她因为说错了话，场面一度非常___。(She said the wrong thing, and the scene was very ___ for a moment.)
Saying the wrong thing often leads to an awkward situation.
被老师点名批评，他感到非常___。(Being singled out and criticized by the teacher made him feel very ___.)
Public criticism usually causes embarrassment.
我们最好不要问他那个___的问题。(We'd better not ask him that ___ question.)
Some questions can be awkward or embarrassing to ask.
她的沉默让气氛变得很___。(Her silence made the atmosphere very ___.)
Silence can sometimes create an awkward atmosphere.
为了避免___，他选择了撒谎。(To avoid ___, he chose to lie.)
People often lie to avoid embarrassment.
她不小心在大家面前摔倒了，觉得很_______。
Here, '难堪' (nánkān) perfectly describes the feeling of embarrassment after an accidental fall in front of others. The other options (高兴, 兴奋, 平静) mean happy, excited, and calm, respectively, and do not fit the context.
当被问到自己不懂的问题时，他感到非常_______。
'难堪' (nánkān) is the most suitable word here, as it conveys the feeling of awkwardness or embarrassment when someone is asked a question they don't know the answer to, especially in a public or formal setting. The other options mean relaxed, confident, and proud, which don't fit the situation.
在派对上，没有人理会她，让她觉得很_______。
If no one pays attention to someone at a party, it would naturally lead to a feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness, which is best described by '难堪' (nánkān). The other options mean interesting, at ease, and comfortable, which are the opposite of the intended meaning.
你做错了事被当众指出时，会感到难堪。
When your mistakes are pointed out publicly, it's very common to feel '难堪' (nánkān), meaning embarrassed or awkward. This statement accurately reflects the meaning of the word.
如果有人表扬你，你会感到难堪。
Generally, when someone praises you, you would feel happy or proud, not '难堪' (nánkān). '难堪' implies embarrassment or awkwardness, which isn't typically associated with receiving praise.
在一个陌生的地方迷路会让你感到难堪。
Getting lost in an unfamiliar place can indeed make one feel '难堪' (nánkān) because it can be an awkward and embarrassing situation, especially if you have to ask for help or appear disoriented.
Pay attention to how '难堪' describes his feeling after falling in front of everyone.
Listen for how '难堪' characterizes the atmosphere of the meeting.
Notice how '难堪' is used to describe the nature of the situation.
Read this aloud:
面对这种问题，他感到很不好意思，非常难堪。
Focus: 难堪 (nánkān)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
别问那些让人难堪的问题。
Focus: 难堪 (nánkān)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
她不想让别人难堪。
Focus: 难堪 (nánkān)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
在公共场合说错话让我感到很___。
“难堪”在这里表示在公共场合因为说错话而感到窘迫、尴尬。
他的提问让会议气氛变得有些___。
“难堪”在这里形容因为提问不当导致的气氛尴尬。
被当众批评让他觉得非常___。
“难堪”表示在众人面前受到批评而感到羞愧和窘迫。
面对大家的沉默，她感到一阵___。
“难堪”形容在无人回应的尴尬境地。
那场演出因为技术故障而变得十分___。
“难堪”描述因为技术故障导致演出窘迫、尴尬的局面。
他试图缓和气氛，但结果却更___了。
“难堪”表示试图改善情况反而使情况更加尴尬。
Describe a time you felt 难堪 (nánkān) in a social situation. What happened and how did you react?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
有一次我在一个正式的晚宴上不小心打翻了酒杯，酒洒在了一个重要的客人身上，我当时感到非常难堪，脸都红了。我立刻道歉并帮忙清理，希望能减轻一些尴尬。
Imagine your friend did something embarrassing. Write an email to another friend describing the incident and how your friend handled their 难堪 (nánkān) moment.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
上次聚会，小明唱歌跑调，还把歌词唱错了，大家都笑他，他当时特别难堪。不过他很快就自嘲说自己是气氛组，化解了尴尬。
Discuss the difference between 难堪 (nánkān) and 害羞 (hàixiū). When would you use each word?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
难堪 (nánkān) 通常指因为某种不当行为或出乎意料的情况而感到尴尬、窘迫。而害羞 (hàixiū) 更多是指因为不好意思、腼腆而不敢表达或行动。例如，在公众场合出丑会让人感到难堪，而第一次和陌生人说话可能会感到害羞。
文中主人公感到难堪的原因是什么？
Read this passage:
他在会议上提出了一个大家都觉得不切实际的方案，结果引来一片质疑声。面对同事们异样的目光，他感到非常难堪，恨不得找个地缝钻进去。尽管如此，他还是努力保持镇定，并尝试解释自己的想法。
文中主人公感到难堪的原因是什么？
文章中明确提到“引来一片质疑声”，并且“面对同事们异样的目光”，所以是同事们的质疑让他感到难堪。
文章中明确提到“引来一片质疑声”，并且“面对同事们异样的目光”，所以是同事们的质疑让他感到难堪。
小李为什么会感到难堪？
Read this passage:
小李在面试中不小心说错了公司的名字，面试官的表情变得有些奇怪。他立刻意识到自己的错误，顿时感到一阵难堪。虽然他很快纠正了错误并道歉，但这次经历让他印象深刻。
小李为什么会感到难堪？
文中提到“小李在面试中不小心说错了公司的名字，……他立刻意识到自己的错误，顿时感到一阵难堪。”
文中提到“小李在面试中不小心说错了公司的名字，……他立刻意识到自己的错误，顿时感到一阵难堪。”
从文中看，哪项最能体现她感到难堪的程度？
Read this passage:
她在社交媒体上发布了一张不雅照片，没想到很快就被网友们转发和评论，甚至有人开始人肉她。这让她感到极度难堪，甚至想要注销所有社交账号来逃避这一切。
从文中看，哪项最能体现她感到难堪的程度？
想要注销所有社交账号来逃避一切，这体现了她难堪的程度非常深，想要彻底摆脱这种负面影响。
想要注销所有社交账号来逃避一切，这体现了她难堪的程度非常深，想要彻底摆脱这种负面影响。
The correct order emphasizes that he felt very embarrassed after his mistake was pointed out in front of everyone.
This order highlights how the silence made the atmosphere very awkward.
The sentence correctly conveys that she felt a bit embarrassed about her recent mistake.
在众人面前被指出错误，他感到十分___。
这里的语境表示在公众面前被指出错误，会让人感到羞耻、尴尬，因此“难堪”最符合语境。
她不小心打翻了咖啡，弄得衣服上都是，非常___。
“难堪”在这里形容因为意外情况而感到尴尬、窘迫。
当他发现自己穿错了衣服，顿时感到___。
穿错衣服在特定场合会让人感到尴尬、不自在，所以用“难堪”最合适。
在派对上，他讲了个冷笑话，结果全场鸦雀无声，场面一度很___。
冷场会使讲笑话的人感到尴尬和窘迫，因此“难堪”是最佳选择。
她的表演失误了，台下观众一片哗然，让她感到十分___。
表演失误并引起观众反应，会使表演者感到羞愧、尴尬，故选“难堪”。
在重要的会议上，他突然忘词了，那种___的感觉让他想找个地缝钻进去。
在重要场合忘词会带来极度的尴尬和羞愧，用“难堪”来形容这种感觉最准确。
The correct order forms the sentence: 'That scene made her feel embarrassed.'
The correct order forms the sentence: 'He avoided his own embarrassing situation.'
The correct order forms the sentence: 'Anyone would feel awkward in this situation.'
/ 114 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning of 难堪
难堪 (nán kān) primarily means embarrassed or awkward. It describes a feeling of discomfort, shame, or distress in a social situation.
Using 难堪 for Feelings
You can use 难堪 to describe how someone feels. For example, 他觉得很难堪 (Tā juédé hěn nánkān) means 'He felt very embarrassed.'
Situations that are 难堪
难堪 can also describe a situation that causes embarrassment. For example, 那个场面很难堪 (Nàgè chǎngmiàn hěn nánkān) means 'That scene was very awkward/embarrassing.'
Don't confuse with 害羞 (hàixiū)
While both relate to discomfort, 难堪 is about embarrassment or awkwardness, often due to a mistake or an uncomfortable situation. 害羞 (hàixiū) means shy or bashful, often in a more general sense of being timid or reserved.
Exemplo
他的问题让我感到很难堪。
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有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
一点
A1A little; a bit; slightly.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
