어렵다 (eo-ryeop-da, eoryeopda)
어렵다 (eoryeopda) means 'difficult' or 'hard' in Korean. It's essential in everyday and business contexts.
Core meaning and shades learners miss.
어렵다 means that something is not easy, difficult, or complicated.
Nuances
When to use
studying, work, exam, conversation
In context
어렵다 is an adjective describing the difficulty or complexity of a subject. It is used in its dictionary form '-다' and fits both casual and formal contexts.
이 문제는 너무 어려워서 혼자 못 풀겠어요.
i mun-je-neun neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo-seo hon-ja mos pul-gess-eo-yo., i mun je neun neo mu eo ryeo wo seo hon ja mos pul gess eo yo.
'어려워서' is a correct conjugation of '어렵다', clearly expressing the problem's difficulty.
어렵다 공부를 열심히 해야 해요.
eo-ryeop-da gong-bu-reul yeol-sim-hi hae-ya hae-yo., eo ryeop da gong bu reul yeol sim hi hae ya hae yo.
'어렵다' cannot directly modify a noun like '공부' here; the sentence is grammatically incorrect.
새로운 언어 배우는 것이 어렵지만 재미있어요.
sae-ro-un eon-eo bae-u-neun geos-i eo-ryeop-ji-man jae-mi-iss-eo-yo., sae ro un eon eo bae u neun geos i eo ryeop ji man jae mi iss eo yo.
Correct use of '어렵다' describing the subject 'learning a new language'.
그 사람은 어려운 사람이에요.
geu sa-ram-eun eo-ryeo-un sa-ram-i-e-yo., geu sa ram eun eo ryeo un sa ram i e yo.
'어려운 사람' naturally means a difficult person in personality or attitude.
이 책은 어렵다 읽기.
i chaek-eun eo-ryeop-da ik-gi., i chaek eun eo ryeop da ik gi.
'어렵다' must change to '-ㄴ' form when modifying a noun; this sentence is incorrect.
어려운 시험 때문에 스트레스를 받아요.
eo-ryeo-un si-heom ttae-mun-e seu-teu-re-seu-reul bat-a-yo., eo ryeo un si heom ttae mun e seu teu re seu reul bat a yo.
'어려운 시험' correctly expresses the difficulty of the exam.
What does '어렵다' mean?
Which sentence is correct?
What is the correct form of '어렵다' before a noun?
