にくい
Difficult to, Hard to
Structure
Explanation
Similar to 易い, にくい is an い-Adjective that connects to the stem form (pre-ます form) of a verb. While やすい means 'easy to (A)', にくい expresses the opposite meaning: 'difficult to (A)'. In this structure, (A) is the action of the verb that precedes にくい.
- この本は字が小さくて、とても読みにくい。The print in this book is small, which makes it very difficult to read.
- このお肉は硬くて食べにくいです。This meat is tough, so it's hard to eat.
The nuance of にくい indicates that an action is challenging due to the task's inherent properties or the skill required to perform it. This sets it apart from づらい, which is used when an action is difficult because of a psychological or emotional strain that makes it hard to bear.
- この漢字は複雑で書きにくいです。This kanji is complex, so it's difficult to write. (Difficult because of the kanji's complexity)
- 親友の誘いなので、断りづらいです。It's an invitation from my best friend, so this is hard to turn down. (Hard due to the emotional difficulty of disappointing a friend)
Fun Fact
A helpful tip for recalling the nuance of にくい is that it shares its kanji with the word 難しい. This connection highlights that its meaning relates to something being 'difficult' due to its complexity or the skill it demands.
Examples
この本は字が小さくて、読みにくいです。
This book is hard to read because the print is small.
このペンはとても書きにくい。
This pen is very hard to write with.
この靴はちょっと歩きにくいですね。
These shoes are a bit difficult to walk in, aren't they?
新しいソフトウェアは使いにくいことが多い。
New software is often difficult to use.
彼の話はちょっと信じにくい。
His story is a little hard to believe.
専門家の話は理解しにくいです。
It is difficult to understand what experts say.
この服はデザインが個性的で、着にくい。
This outfit has a unique design, making it hard to wear.
この瓶の蓋、固くて開けにくいよ。
The lid of this jar is tight and hard to open.
霧が深くて、前が見にくい。
The fog is thick, so it's hard to see ahead.
この気持ちは言葉で説明しにくいです。
It's difficult to explain this feeling in words.
どちらも良くて、一つには決めにくい。
They are both good, so it is hard to decide on just one.
先生の声が小さくて、聞きにくいです。
The teacher's voice is quiet, so it is hard to hear.