JLPT N4

～にくい

Difficult to do

Structure

Verb (stem form) + にくい

How it works

This grammar is used to describe that an action is difficult to perform due to the nature or characteristics of the object or circumstances. It focuses on the inherent difficulty.

Examples

このペンは書きにくいです。

This pen is difficult to write with.

Common mistakes

Confusing it with ～のが難しい (general difficulty) or ～かねる (declining politely).

Tip

Think of 'にくい' as 'difficult to approach' or 'hard to manage'. It describes the verb's interaction with its object.

More JLPT N4 grammar

ようにするようになるそうだ (appearance)そうだ (hearsay)ようだらしいかもしれないてしまう

See ～にくい in real Japanese

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