Let’s look at the differences between “〜にくい” “〜づらい” and “〜がたい” ☺︎
Level
〜にくい N4
〜づらい N4
〜がたい N2
Meaning
It is difficult to …
Structure
Verb stem of ます-form + にくい/づらい/がたい
Tips
〜にくい
- Describe objective or physical difficulties
- Attach to both volitional and non-volitional verbs
- Often interchangeable with 〜づらい for volitional verbs. To compare, 〜にくい is accompanied by more physical difficulties on the part of the speaker.
●この包丁は切れにくい。/kono hoochoo wa kirenikui/ This knife is hard to cut.
●私の妹は太りにくい体質だ。/watashi no imooto wa futoriniui taishitsu da/ My younger sister doesn’t gain weight easily.
●文字が小さすぎて読みにくい。/moji ga chiisasugite yominikui/ It’s hard to read the texts because they are too small.
●天気が悪くて洗濯物が乾きにくい。/tenki ga warukute sentakumono ga kawakinikui/ The laundry doesn’t get dry quickly because of the bad weather.
●あの旅館は人気なので予約が取りにくい。/ano ryokan wa ninki nanode yoyaku ga torinikui/ It is difficult to book a room at that ryokan because it is so popular.
〜づらい
- Describe emotional, mental or physical burdens
- Attach to only volitional verbs
- Often interchangeable with 〜にくい for volitional verbs. To compare, 〜づらい is accompanied by the nuance of emotional distress of the speaker.
●あの、ちょっと言いづらいんですが・・・/ano, chotto iizurai n desu ga…/ Hey, it’s a bit hard to tell you this, but…
●ランチに誘われて、行きたくないけど断りづらい。/ranchi ni sasowarete, ikitakunai kedo kotowarizurai/ I was invited to the lunch. I don’t want to go no but it’s awkward to say no.
●このハンバーガー、すごく美味しいけど大きすぎて食べづらい。/kono hanbaagaa, sugoku oishii kedo ookisugite tabezurai/ This burger is delicious but is too big to eat.
●先週買ったハイヒール、デザインは気に入っているけど歩きづらい。/senshuu katta haihiiru, dezain wa ki ni itte iru kedo harukizurai/ I like the design of these high heels that I bought last week but it’s difficult to walk in them.
●あの上司は、ちょっと話しかけづらい雰囲気がある。/ano jooshi wa, chotto hanasi kakezurai funiki ga aru/ That boss of mine has an atmosphere that he is not very approachable.
〜がたい
- Used for something that is difficult to achieve
- Used in formal settings
- Often used with certain words and sometimes function as idiomatic expressions
- Cannot be used to describe difficulties due to lack of ability
●忘れがたい経験をしました。/wasuregatai keiken o shimashita/ I had an unforgettable experience.
●信じがたい話を聞きました。/shinjigatai hanashi o kikimashita/ I heard an unbelievable story.
●骨折をしたとき、耐えがたい痛みでした。/kossetsu o shita toki, taegatai itami deshita/ When I had a fractured bone, the pain was unbearable.
●理解しがたい発言ですね。/rikai shigatai hatsugen desu ne/ The statement is difficult to understand, isn’t it?
●許しがたい行為です。/yurushigatai koui desu/ It’s an unacceptable act.
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