～にくい | Grammar

Structure

[v1 stem] + にくい [v5 stem (連用形)] + にくい [する → し] + にくい [来る → き] + にくい

Description

The suffix ～にくい is used to express that something is difficult or hard to do. It attaches to the stem of a verb to describe actions that require effort, are troublesome, or are inconvenient to perform.

。

This kanji is hard to memorize.

The opposite structure is ～やすい, which indicates ease of performing an action.

。

This book is easy to read.

Examples

。

This character is hard to read.

。

This pen is hard to write with.

。

It’s hard to see things in a dark room.

。

These shoes are hard to walk in.

。

This question is hard to answer.

。

He has an atmosphere that makes it hard to talk to him.

。

That law is hard to understand.

。

This road is narrow and hard to drive on.

。

My name is hard for foreigners to pronounce.

。

It’s hard to walk on rainy days.

。

This knife doesn’t cut well (is hard to use for cutting).

。

That person has a personality that makes it hard to change their mind.

Structure

Description

Examples

References