Definition

1. Phrase:
   • To make difficulties / to raise difficulties: The phrase "khó dễ" describes the act of intentionally creating obstacles, complications, or trouble for someone, especially when that person is in need of one's help or cooperation. It implies being uncooperative or deliberately troublesome.

Usage Examples

• Phrase:
  • Anh ta cứ tìm cách làm khó dễ tôi. (He kept finding ways to make difficulties for me.)
  • Đừng có khó dễ với người cần mình giúp đỡ. (Don't raise difficulties for people who need your help.)
  • Việc xin giấy phép bị khó dễ bởi thủ tục hành chính. (The license application was made difficult by bureaucratic procedures.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is most commonly used in the construction "làm khó dễ" (to make/raise difficulties). It often carries a negative connotation of pettiness or abuse of a minor position of power.

Variants and Related Words

• Gây khó khăn (v): to cause difficulties. This is a more general and neutral term for creating obstacles.
  • Thời tiết gây khó khăn cho việc di chuyển. (The weather causes difficulties for travel.)

Synonyms

• To make trouble: to deliberately cause problems.
• To be difficult: to act in an uncooperative way.
• To hassle: to annoy or bother someone, especially by making demands.

Related Idioms

• Bày trò làm khó: to devise tricks to make things difficult (for someone). This idiom emphasizes the deliberate, scheming nature of creating obstacles.
  • Hắn luôn bày trò làm khó cho đồng nghiệp mới. (He always devises tricks to make things difficult for new colleagues.)

1. (cũng nói) làm khó dễ Make difficulties, raise difficulties (when someone needs one's help)