Quick answer
難 is the kanji for "Difficult". The most common reading is かた.い (katai). Mnemonics and example sentences are listed below.
Meaning
Difficult
Also : Defect · Trouble · Accident · Impossible
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
18 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 難 represents 'DIFFICULT'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of difficult.
On-reading: なん — remember this sound by associating it with difficult. Kun-reading: かた.い.
Example Sentences
難しい問題に挑戦しています。
むずかしいもんだいにちょうせんしています。
I'm challenging difficult problems.
困難を乗り越えることで成長します。
こんなんをのりこえることでせいちょうします。
We grow by overcoming difficulties.
Vocabulary using 難
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jul 4, 2026
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