難: the kanji for difficult
難 is a JLPT N3 kanji that means difficult. Below are its readings, 2 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
難 is written in 18 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
難 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 2 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ナン (nan)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 困難こんなん · konnan | difficulty |
むずかしい (muzukashii)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 難しいむずかしい · muzukashii | difficult |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 会社は大きな困難に直面している。Kaisha wa ōkina konnan ni chokumen shite iru.The company is facing great difficulty.
- この問題は難しいです。Kono mondai wa muzukashii desu.This problem is difficult.
- 困難を乗り越えて成功した。Konnan o norikoete seikō shita.We overcame the difficulty and succeeded.
- 漢字を覚えるのは難しいです。Kanji o oboeru no wa muzukashii desu.Remembering kanji is difficult.
- この決断は難しかった。Kono ketsudan wa muzukashikatta.This decision was difficult.
Questions about 難
How many strokes does 難 have?
難 is written in 18 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 難?
The on readings are nan (ナン). The kun readings are katai (かたい), muzukashii (むずかしい).
What JLPT level is 難?
N3. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N3 falls between the former Levels 2 and 3.
More JLPT N3 kanji
Qualities and conditions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 難
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.