Meanings of 难
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About 难
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Podcast: 难
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AI Study Notes for 难
难 (nán) vs 难受 (nánshòu) — use 难 (nán) for describing difficulty in tasks, while 难受 (nánshòu) specifically refers to emotional distress.
Imagine a person trying to climb a steep mountain (symbolizing difficulty). The character 难 has the radical 阝 (a mountain or hill) on the left, which visually connects to the idea of climbing and facing challenges. Picture the struggle and say 'nán' as you picture the difficulty of the ascent.
Learners often confuse 难 (difficult) with 简单 (jiǎndān), which means 'easy.' Use 难 in both formal and informal contexts, but be careful when collocating it with verbs. For example, '难做' (nán zuò) means 'hard to do,' while '难以' (nán yǐ) means 'difficult to.'
As an HSK Level 3 word, 难 connects well with other adjectives describing states or conditions, like 容易 (róngyì, easy) and 简单 (jiǎndān, simple). Focus on using it in sentences that express challenges, enhancing your ability to discuss difficulties in various contexts.
In Chinese culture, expressing difficulty or hardship can sometimes be a way to seek empathy or support, reflecting the communal values of sharing burdens. The concept of 'difficult' is often tied to perseverance and resilience in facing life's challenges.
Learners often mistakenly use 难 to describe something that is simply 'not good.' For example, they might say '这个菜很难' (Zhège cài hěn nán) intending to say 'This dish is not good,' which should instead be '这个菜不好' (Zhège cài bù hǎo).
Pronunciation of 难
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Etymology of 难
Phonosemantic compound. 隹 represents the meaning and 堇 represents the sound. The character is based on the original meaning "type of bird", which is unrelated to the modern meaning. The simplified character 难 was adapted from the cursive form of th
A hand 又 trying to grasp at a bird 隹
Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 难
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Grammar Patterns of 难
难 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
____道你没去过长城吗？
Don't tell me you've never been to the Great Wall?
Common Confusions with 难
Similar shape but different pronunciation and meaning.
Same pronunciation but different meaning.
难 (nán) means 'difficult', while 赧 (nǎn) means 'blushing' or 'embarrassed'.
他觉得这个问题很难。 (Tā juédé zhège wèntí hěn nán.) - He thinks this problem is very difficult.
难 (nán) means 'difficult', while 赧 (nǎn) means 'blushing' or 'embarrassed'.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "difficult (to...)"?
Usage Notes for 难
'难' can sometimes be confused with '难受' (nánshòu) which means 'uncomfortable' or 'suffer'.
这道题太难了。
This question is too difficult.
我觉得很难受。
I feel very uncomfortable.
Fill in the Blank
这道题太____了。
This question is too difficult.
Example Sentences for 难 (10)
Cultural Notes for 难
In Chinese culture, the concept of '难' is often linked to the idea that overcoming difficulties leads to personal growth and strength. This reflects the common belief that challenges can be beneficial.
In Chinese culture, expressing difficulty or hardship can sometimes be a way to seek empathy or support, reflecting the communal values of sharing burdens. The concept of 'difficult' is often tied to perseverance and resilience in facing life's challenges.
Word Family of 难
Compound Meaning
What does 滩 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 难
Some synonyms for 难 include 困难 (kùn nán), which means 'difficulty,' and 难受 (nán shòu), which means 'hard to bear.' These words can also convey a sense of challenge or discomfort in various contexts.