Definition

1. Adjective (Colloquial):
   • Hard to swallow; difficult to accept: Used to describe a situation, fact, or statement that is very difficult to believe or accept emotionally.
   • Hard to accomplish; tough: Describes a task, challenge, or situation that is extremely difficult to handle, manage, or complete.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Lời nói đó thật khó nhá. (That statement is hard to swallow.)
  • Công việc này khó nhá thật. (This job is really tough to do.)
  • Tin tức ấy quá khó nhá đối với tôi. (That news is too hard for me to accept.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is inherently informal and carries a strong emotional connotation of frustration, disbelief, or being overwhelmed. It is often used in spoken language among peers.

Variants and Related Words

• Khó (adj): Difficult, hard. The standard, neutral term.
  • Bài toán này rất khó. (This math problem is very difficult.)
• Khó chịu (adj): Uncomfortable, annoyed.
  • Thời tiết làm tôi khó chịu. (The weather makes me uncomfortable.)

Synonyms

• Hard to take: Difficult to accept emotionally.
• Tough: Difficult to accomplish.
• Unpalatable: Difficult to accept or agree with.

Related Idioms

• Khó như ăn ớt: As difficult as eating chili; used to emphasize extreme difficulty.
  • Việc này khó như ăn ớt. (This task is extremely difficult.)
• Nuốt không trôi: Cannot swallow it; similar to "hard to swallow" in expressing disbelief or rejection of an idea.
  • Lý do của anh ấy tôi nuốt không trôi. (I can't swallow his reason.)

1. (thông tục) Hard to dọ