Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Hard, difficult: Describes a task, situation, or condition that requires a lot of effort, skill, or perseverance to accomplish or endure.
   • Troublesome, arduous: Characterizes something that presents obstacles, complications, or hardship.

2. Noun:

   • Difficulty, hardship: Refers to a specific problem, obstacle, or challenging circumstance that one encounters.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Công việc này rất khó khăn. (This job is very difficult.)
  • Họ đang trải qua một thời kỳ khó khăn. (They are going through a hard period.)

• Noun:

  • Chúng tôi đã vượt qua mọi khó khăn. (We overcame all difficulties.)
  • Gặp khó khăn gì, bạn cứ nói với tôi. (If you encounter any hardship, just tell me.)

Advanced Usage

• "gặp khó khăn": to encounter/face difficulties.

  • Công ty mới khởi nghiệp thường gặp nhiều khó khăn về tài chính. (A new startup often faces many financial difficulties.)

• "khó khăn chồng chất khó khăn": difficulties piling up; when problems accumulate.

  • Sau bão, người dân đối mặt với khó khăn chồng chất khó khăn. (After the storm, the people faced difficulties piling up.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khó (adj): Hard, difficult. Often used interchangeably with "khó khăn," but "khó" can be slightly more general.

  • Câu hỏi này khó quá. (This question is too hard.)

• Gian khó (adj): Arduous, full of hardship. Emphasizes strenuous effort and suffering.

  • Một hành trình gian khó. (An arduous journey.)

Synonyms

• Difficult: Needing much effort or skill.
• Hard: Solid and firm; also meaning difficult.
• Arduous: Involving strenuous effort.
• Hardship: Severe suffering or privation (as a noun).

Related Idioms

• "Khó khăn nào rồi cũng qua": Every difficulty shall pass; this too shall pass.

  • Cố lên, khó khăn nào rồi cũng qua. (Hang in there, every difficulty shall pass.)

• "Lửa thử vàng, gian nan thử sức": Adversity reveals true character; fire tests gold, hardship tests strength.

  • Anh ấy luôn nhớ câu "lửa thử vàng, gian nan thử sức". (He always remembers the saying "fire tests gold, hardship tests strength.")

adj

1. hard, difficult