难以
Difficult to
Littéralement: Hard to; difficult to
Use `难以` before a verb to express that something is mentally or emotionally impossible to process.
En 15 secondes
- Used before two-character verbs to mean 'hard to do'.
- Commonly used for emotional or mental barriers, not physical ones.
- Adds a touch of sophistication and weight to your speech.
Signification
This phrase is used to describe something that is extremely hard to do, often because of an emotional barrier or a physical impossibility. It's like saying something is 'beyond' your ability to handle or process.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Reacting to a shocking news story
这个消息真是让人难以相信。
This news is truly hard to believe.
Writing a formal apology for a mistake
我对此感到的愧疚难以言表。
The guilt I feel is hard to put into words.
Talking about a beautiful travel experience
那里的美景令人难以忘怀。
The beautiful scenery there is hard to forget.
Contexte culturel
The phrase reflects a linguistic bridge between classical Chinese (Wenyanwen) and modern speech. It is part of a category of 'disyllabic' words that give Mandarin its rhythmic, balanced feel. Using it shows you have moved beyond basic 'survival' Chinese into more expressive, nuanced territory.
The 2-Character Rule
Always pair `难以` with a two-character verb. It sounds much more natural and rhythmic to Chinese ears.
Softening the Blow
In business, saying a request is `难以办到` (hard to do) is a polite way of saying 'No' without being rude.
En 15 secondes
- Used before two-character verbs to mean 'hard to do'.
- Commonly used for emotional or mental barriers, not physical ones.
- Adds a touch of sophistication and weight to your speech.
What It Means
难以 is your go-to phrase for things that feel impossible. It combines 'difficult' (难) with 'to' or 'by' (以). It describes a situation where you are stuck. It isn't just about a hard math problem. It is about things that are hard to believe, forget, or explain. Think of it as 'mission impossible' for your feelings or your brain.
How To Use It
Put 难以 right before a two-character verb. It loves verbs like 相信 (believe) or 忘记 (forget). You don't need extra grammar particles like de or le. Just say 难以 + [Verb]. It acts like an adverbial anchor. It makes your sentence sound more polished and serious. It’s the difference between saying 'I can't believe it' and 'It is unbelievable.'
When To Use It
Use it when you want to sound sincere or slightly dramatic. It works great in a professional email when a task is tough. Use it with friends when telling a crazy story that is 'hard to imagine.' It’s perfect for those deep midnight chats about life. If you are shocked by a plot twist in a movie, this is your word. It adds a layer of weight to your words.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for simple physical tasks. If a suitcase is heavy, don't say it is 难以 lift. That sounds like the suitcase is emotionally resisting you! Use 很难 for physical difficulty. Also, avoid using it with single-character verbs. 难以吃 sounds very strange and robotic. Stick to two-character words to keep the rhythm natural. Don't use it if you're just being lazy.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture often values indirectness and poetic weight. 难以 comes from more formal, classical roots. It allows you to express a 'no' or a 'can't' without being too blunt. It shifts the focus from your personal failure to the difficulty of the situation itself. It’s a very 'face-saving' way to describe a struggle. It shows you have a sophisticated grasp of the language's texture.
Common Variations
难以置信 is the superstar variation. It means 'unbelievable' and is used as a standalone idiom. You will also hear 难以忘怀 for things you can't forget. In news reports, you might see 难以预料 for unpredictable events. Another common one is 难以启齿, which means something is too embarrassing to talk about. These variations all carry that same 'heavy' and 'serious' vibe.
Notes d'usage
Mainly used in written or semi-formal spoken Chinese. It specifically targets cognitive or emotional processes rather than physical labor.
The 2-Character Rule
Always pair `难以` with a two-character verb. It sounds much more natural and rhythmic to Chinese ears.
Softening the Blow
In business, saying a request is `难以办到` (hard to do) is a polite way of saying 'No' without being rude.
Not for Heavy Lifting
Don't use `难以` for physical weight. Use `很难搬` for a heavy box, not `难以搬`.
Exemples
6这个消息真是让人难以相信。
This news is truly hard to believe.
Uses 'hard to believe' to show genuine shock.
我对此感到的愧疚难以言表。
The guilt I feel is hard to put into words.
A very formal way to express deep regret.
那里的美景令人难以忘怀。
The beautiful scenery there is hard to forget.
Commonly used for positive, lasting impressions.
这件事的情况非常复杂，难以说明。
The situation is very complex and hard to explain.
Used to avoid a long explanation over text.
你做的菜味道真是难以形容。
The taste of your cooking is truly hard to describe.
A polite but funny way to say something tastes weird.
我们目前面临难以想象的挑战。
We are currently facing unimaginable challenges.
Professional way to emphasize the scale of a problem.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct verb to follow '难以' in this context of a surprise party.
看到大家都在这里，我感到___相信。
`难以相信` (hard to believe) is the standard collocation for being surprised.
Which phrase fits best when you can't describe a feeling?
那种感觉真是___言表。
`难以言表` is a fixed expression meaning 'beyond words'.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Hard to'
Used for physical things like heavy bags.
很难 (hěn nán)
Standard way to express mental difficulty.
难以 (nán yǐ)
Used in literature or formal speeches.
甚难 (shèn nán)
Where to use 难以
Shocking News
难以置信
Deep Memories
难以忘怀
Complex Problems
难以解决
Speechless Moments
难以言表
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt means 'difficult to' or 'hard to.' It is used to show that an action is nearly impossible to complete, like 难以相信 (hard to believe).
Yes, 很难 is more common for physical tasks or general difficulty. 难以 is more formal and usually refers to mental or abstract concepts.
Absolutely! It makes you sound more articulate. For example, 难以想象 (hard to imagine) is common when gossiping about something crazy.
It is neutral to slightly formal. It's safe for both work emails and serious conversations with friends.
No, it works best with two-character verbs. You wouldn't say 难以走 (hard to walk); you'd say 难以行走 in a very formal context.
It's a very common Chengyu (idiom) meaning 'unbelievable.' You can use it as a reaction to something amazing or shocking.
Not necessarily. While it often describes problems, it can describe positive things like 难以忘怀的美景 (unforgettable beauty).
Not directly. You don't say 'He is 难以.' You say his behavior is 难以理解 (hard to understand).
Using it for simple physical things. For example, saying a door is 难以打开 sounds like a line from a dramatic novel rather than a stuck door.
Because it uses the character 以, which is a remnant of Classical Chinese. This gives it a more literary and sophisticated feel.
Expressions liées
很难 (hěn nán) - Very difficult (general)
无法 (wú fǎ) - Unable to / No way to
不容易 (bù róng yì) - Not easy
难办 (nán bàn) - Hard to handle/do
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