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JapanLingo

difficult

N3
Onyomi
Kunyomi
Stroke count
18
JLPT
N3

Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.

Memory tip

A flat illustration of a small bird perched with its wing folded, with the kanji 難 ("difficult") drawn into the picture.

Break 難 down and you get 隹 (short-tailed bird) — a small bird perched with its wing folded. Picture a small bird perched with its wing folded, put 難 inside it, and let that scene stand for "difficult" — difficult. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

Stroke Order

Stroke count: 18

General writing tips

These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.

  • •Write from top to bottom.
  • •Write from left to right.
  • •Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
  • •Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
  • •In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
  • •This kanji has 18 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.

Step by step

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Practice Writing

Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.

Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.

Writing Tips

  • Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
  • Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
  • Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
  • Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.

Example words

hinan

evacuation

nanten

drawback

muzukashii

difficult

hinansuru

to do evacuation

hinanshita

plain past: did evacuation

muzukashii desu

polite: is difficult

Example sentences (5)

kanji wa muzukashii desu.

Kanji is difficult.

kyou no tesuto wa muzukashikatta desu.

Today's test was difficult.

hinan kunren ga nen ni nikai arimasu.

We have evacuation drills twice a year.

shigoto no kaiwa wa muzukashii desu ga, sukoshizutsu narete kimashita.

Conversations at work are difficult, but I have gradually gotten used to them.

kimochi o kotoba de tsutaeru no wa, nihongo de mo bogo de mo muzukashii desu.

Putting feelings into words is hard, whether in Japanese or your native language.