难

難

nán, nàn

又 + 隹

HSK 2.0Level 3

HSK 3.0Level 3

Definitions

nán (adjective) difficult; hard

nàn (noun) disaster; calamity

Etymology

Simplified from 難. Phonosemantic compound. 隹 represents the meaning and 堇 represents the sound. The character is based on the original meaning "type of bird", which is unrelated to the modern meaning.

About

The traditional character 難 is a phono-semantic compound: 隹 (bird) gives the meaning, while 堇 (jǐn) supplies the sound. The simplified form 难 replaces the phonetic 堇 with 又 (yòu, "again" or "right hand") and retains 隹. The original meaning designated a type of bird, now obsolete. Early on, the character was borrowed phonetically to express difficulty, hardship, or calamity. Today it functions as an adjective meaning "hard" and a noun meaning "disaster".

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个问题很难。

Zhè gè wèntí hěn nán.

This problem is very difficult.

学习中文很难。

Xuéxí Zhōngwén hěn nán.

Learning Chinese is very difficult.

生活中有很多困难。

Shēnghuó zhōng yǒu hěn duō kùnnan.

There are many difficulties in life.

难忘的经历让我成长。

Nánwàng de jīnglì ràng wǒ chéngzhǎng.

The unforgettable experience helped me grow.

难以理解他的想法。

Nányǐ lǐjiě tā de xiǎngfǎ.

It is hard to understand his thoughts.

难闻的气味弥漫在空气中。

Nánwén de qìwèi mímàn zài kōngqì zhōng.

An unpleasant smell permeated the air.

在短时间内完成任务很难。

Zài duǎn shíjiān nèi wánchéng rènwù hěn nán.

It is difficult to complete the task in a short time.

尽管面临诸多困难，我们仍要坚持。

Jǐnguǎn miànlín zhūduō kùnnan, wǒmen réng yào jiānchí.

Despite facing many difficulties, we must persevere.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 又

Component: 隹

Example Words