困难

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

困难 [2025/08/04 00:00] – created xiaoer困难 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
Line 1: Line 1:
-====== kùnnan: 困难 - Difficulty, Hardship, Trouble ====== +
-===== Quick Summary ===== +
-  * **Keywords:** kùnnan, 困难, Chinese word for difficult, difficulty in Chinese, hardship, trouble, learn Chinese, HSK 3, Chinese vocabulary, Chinese culture, 难 vs 困难 +
-  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **困难 (kùnnan)**, the essential Chinese word for "difficulty" or "hardship." This guide breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China. Learn the crucial difference between **困难 (kùnnan)** and **难 (nán)**, and see how to use it correctly with 10 example sentences. A perfect resource for HSK 3 students and anyone looking to understand how Chinese speakers talk about challenges and perseverance. +
-===== Core Meaning ===== +
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** kùnnan +
-  * **Part of Speech:** Adjective, Noun +
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 +
-  * **Concise Definition:** (As an adjective) difficult, hard; (as a noun) a difficulty, a hardship. +
-  * **In a Nutshell:** **困难 (kùnnan)** describes a state of being in a tough situation or facing a significant challenge. It's a more substantial word than just "hard" (`难`). Think of it not just as a single difficult task, but as a complex situation involving multiple obstacles, like financial trouble, a challenging project at work, or a tough period in one's life. +
-===== Character Breakdown ===== +
-  * **困 (kùn):** This character is a pictograph of a tree (木) inside an enclosure (囗). It vividly represents being trapped, surrounded, or hemmed in. By extension, it also means sleepy or tired, as if your energy is trapped. +
-  * **难 (nán):** This character also has ancient roots related to hardship. It originally depicted a bird (隹) being caught. It fundamentally means hard, difficult, or problematic. +
-  * Together, **困难 (kùn-nán)** paints a powerful picture of being "trapped in hardship." This combination emphasizes a state of being stuck in a challenging circumstance, making it a stronger and more situational term than `难` alone. +
-===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== +
-In Chinese culture, the concept of enduring hardship, known as **吃苦 (chīkǔ)**, which literally translates to "eat bitterness," is a highly respected virtue. **困难 (kùnnan)** is the very "bitterness" one is expected to endure. It's not just an inconvenience to be eliminated but a test of one's character, resilience, and perseverance. +
-This contrasts with a common Western perspective where a "difficulty" is primarily a "problem" to be "solved," often through direct action, innovation, or confrontation. While problem-solving is also valued in China, the cultural script around **困难** places a heavier emphasis on patience, endurance, and maintaining composure through the struggle. A person who can face **困难** without complaint is seen as mature and strong. This ties into the collective value of contributing to the family or group by stoically bearing one's share of burdens. +
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== +
-**困难** is a versatile and common word used in both formal and informal contexts. +
-  * **As a Noun (a difficulty/hardship):** This is its most common usage. It refers to a specific challenge or a state of trouble. +
-    * `我们遇到了一个很大的困难。` (Wǒmen yùdào le yí ge hěn dà de kùnnan.) - We've encountered a very big difficulty. +
-    * `他家里有经济困难。` (Tā jiā lǐ yǒu jīngjì kùnnan.) - His family has financial difficulties. +
-  * **As an Adjective (difficult):** When used as an adjective, it often describes a situation, task, or period of time as being difficult in a broader sense. +
-    * `这是一个困难的决定。` (Zhè shì yí ge kùnnan de juédìng.) - This is a difficult decision. +
-    * `这是一段困难的时期。` (Zhè shì yí duàn kùnnan de shíqī.) - This is a difficult period of time. +
-Its connotation is neutral to negative, as it points to a problem, but discussing it can be positive if it's in the context of overcoming it or asking for help. +
-===== Example Sentences ===== +
-  * **Example 1:** +
-    * 学习中文对我来说有点儿**困难**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Xuéxí Zhōngwén duì wǒ lái shuō yǒudiǎnr **kùnnan**. +
-    * English: Learning Chinese is a bit difficult for me. +
-    * Analysis: Here, **困难** is used as an adjective to describe the overall experience of learning Chinese. It implies the challenge is more than just a single hard word, but involves grammar, characters, and tones combined. +
-  * **Example 2:** +
-    * 如果你有什么**困难**,请随时告诉我。 +
-    * Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu shénme **kùnnan**, qǐng suíshí gàosù wǒ. +
-    * English: If you have any difficulties, please tell me anytime. +
-    * Analysis: In this sentence, **困难** is a noun meaning "difficulties" or "troubles." This is a very common and supportive phrase to offer help to a friend or colleague. +
-  * **Example 3:** +
-    * 公司目前正面临一些财务**困难**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Gōngsī mùqián zhèng miànlín yìxiē cáiwù **kùnnan**. +
-    * English: The company is currently facing some financial difficulties. +
-    * Analysis: A formal and common use of **困难** as a noun in a business context. It's a standard way to talk about financial hardship. +
-  * **Example 4:** +
-    * 不管有多**困难**,我们都必须完成这个项目。 +
-    * Pinyin: Bùguǎn yǒu duō **kùnnan**, wǒmen dōu bìxū wánchéng zhège xiàngmù. +
-    * English: No matter how difficult it is, we must complete this project. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence structure "不管有多 + adj..." (bùguǎn yǒu duō...) expresses determination. **困难** is used as an adjective to emphasize the scale of the challenge. +
-  * **Example 5:** +
-    * 对一个老人来说,独自生活很**困难**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Duì yí ge lǎorén lái shuō, dúzì shēnghuó hěn **kùnnan**. +
-    * English: For an elderly person, living alone is very difficult. +
-    * Analysis: This describes a life situation as being **困难** (adjective), implying a range of challenges, not just one specific task. +
-  * **Example 6:** +
-    * 他克服了种种**困难**,终于成功了。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā kèfúle zhǒngzhǒng **kùnnan**, zhōngyú chénggōng le. +
-    * English: He overcame all kinds of difficulties and finally succeeded. +
-    * Analysis: A classic example showing **困难** (noun) as an obstacle to be "overcome" (克服, kèfú). "种种" means "all kinds of," emphasizing the multitude of challenges. +
-  * **Example 7:** +
-    * 这是一个**困难**的选择。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè shì yí ge **kùnnan** de xuǎnzé. +
-    * English: This is a difficult choice. +
-    * Analysis: Here, **困难的** modifies "choice" (选择, xuǎnzé). It suggests the choice has complex implications and is not easy to make. +
-  * **Example 8:** +
-    * 医生说他有呼吸**困难**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō tā yǒu hūxī **kùnnan**. +
-    * English: The doctor said he has difficulty breathing. +
-    * Analysis: A medical use of the term. "呼吸困难" is the standard medical phrase for dyspnea or shortness of breath. +
-  * **Example 9:** +
-    * 在朋友的帮助下,他度过了最**困难**的时期。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zài péngyǒu de bāngzhù xià, tā dùguòle zuì **kùnnan** de shíqī. +
-    * English: With the help of friends, he got through the most difficult period. +
-    * Analysis: **困难** is used as an adjective to describe a "period of time" (时期, shíqī), highlighting a prolonged phase of hardship. +
-  * **Example 10:** +
-    * 我们要帮助有**困难**的家庭。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒmen yào bāngzhù yǒu **kùnnan** de jiātíng. +
-    * English: We should help families that have difficulties. +
-    * Analysis: "有困难的" acts as an adjectival phrase modifying "families" (家庭, jiātíng). It's a common way to refer to people or groups in need. +
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== +
-The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between **困难 (kùnnan)** and **难 (nán)**. +
-  *   **难 (nán):** Use `难` for specific, immediate tasks or actions. It's almost always an adjective. It answers the question "Is this task hard to do?" +
-    *   Correct: `这个汉字很**难**写。` (This Chinese character is very **hard** to write.) +
-    *   Correct: `这个问题很**难**回答。` (This question is very **hard** to answer.) +
-    *   Incorrect: `这个汉字很困难写。` +
-    *   Incorrect: `我很难。` (This sounds like you are a difficult person. To express sadness, you say `我很难过 (wǒ hěn nánguò)`.) +
-  *   **困难 (kùnnan):** Use `困难` for broader situations, conditions, or as a noun for "a difficulty." It's less about a single action and more about the overall circumstance. +
-    *   Correct: `我最近遇到了一些**困难**。` (I've recently run into some **difficulties**.) (Noun) +
-    *   Correct: `他的生活很**困难**。` (His life is very **difficult**.) (Adjective describing a situation) +
-    *   Incorrect: `写这个字有困难。` (While grammatically possible, it sounds unnatural. `写这个字很难` is much better.) +
-**Rule of Thumb:** If you can say "It is hard to [verb]...", use **难**. If you are talking about "a difficulty" (noun) or a "difficult situation" (adjective), use **困难**. +
-===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== +
-  * [[难]] (nán) - Hard, difficult. The simpler, more common adjective for a specific task. **困难** is broader and can be a noun. +
-  * [[麻烦]] (máfan) - Troublesome, to bother. Refers to something that is inconvenient or causes trouble for someone. It has a lighter feel than **困难**. +
-  * [[问题]] (wèntí) - Problem, question. A neutral term for an issue that needs a solution. A **困难** is a type of serious **问题**. +
-  * [[挑战]] (tiǎozhàn) - Challenge. Often has a positive connotation, implying an obstacle you are excited to overcome. +
-  * [[吃苦]] (chīkǔ) - To bear hardship (literally "to eat bitterness"). The cultural virtue of enduring **困难** without complaint. +
-  * [[困境]] (kùnjìng) - Predicament, dilemma. A more severe and formal word than **困难**, implying being trapped in a no-win situation. +
-  * [[艰苦]] (jiānkǔ) - Arduous, tough. Describes conditions, environments, or lifestyles that are full of hardship (e.g., `艰苦的生活` - an arduous life). +
-  * [[障碍]] (zhàng'ài) - Obstacle, barrier. A concrete or abstract thing that blocks progress. You must clear an **障碍** to overcome a **困难**.+