にくい means hard to do. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that something is difficult to do in natural Japanese.
This grammar point often appears in conversation, written explanations, formal notices, and JLPT-style reading questions. If you want to express that an action is difficult to perform, にくい is a useful pattern to learn after the N5 basics.
What does にくい mean?
Use にくい when you want to express that an action is difficult to perform.
Natural translations include:
- hard to do
- difficult to do
The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on what the grammar point does in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural.
How to form にくい
Examples of the pattern:
- 読みにくい
- 使いにくい
- 歩きにくい
にくい attaches directly to the masu-stem. Pay attention to the word form before the pattern. Many JLPT N4 mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form.
When is にくい used?
Use にくい in situations like:
- describing something that is physically or situationally difficult to do
- making a sentence more specific than a basic N5 pattern
- understanding natural Japanese in conversation or reading
Tone and register:
- neutral; common in daily speech, textbook examples, and JLPT N4 reading questions
にくい example sentences
After reading each sentence, ask what job にくい is doing: describing difficulty in performing the action. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.
Nuance of にくい
The key nuance is difficulty from the speaker’s perspective.
This matters because にくい describes an inherent quality or circumstance that makes an action hard to complete. It is not about ability (that is 〜できない), but about the ease of performing the action itself.
For example:
- In context, にくい helps make the sentence more precise than a direct English translation.
- Compared with やすい, it carries the opposite weight even when both patterns attach to the same verb stem.
にくい vs やすい
Both にくい and やすい attach to the masu-stem, but they express opposite ideas.
If both translations seem possible, check whether the sentence emphasizes difficulty or ease. The context usually tells you which grammar point is natural.
Common mistakes with にくい
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with にくい, then rewrite it with やすい. If the meaning flips completely, you are using the forms correctly.
Is にくい on the JLPT?
にくい appears on JLPT N4 as a core difficulty pattern.
- Recognize the masu-stem attachment in reading
- Distinguish it from やすい and づらい
- Use it in simple original sentences
For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.
Practice questions for にくい
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add time words, places, or reasons to make the sentence more realistic.
Learning path for にくい
Related grammar to review next
- やすい — easy to do; the direct opposite of にくい
- づらい — hard to do; emphasizes physical or emotional difficulty
- なかなか～ない — not easily; focuses on the negative result rather than the action itself
- ことができる — can do; expresses ability rather than difficulty
Learn にくい with Hane
If you want to review にくい together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here:
FAQ about にくい
What does にくい mean in Japanese?
にくい means “hard to do” in Japanese. It is an N4 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is にくい on the JLPT?
にくい is taught as N4 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N4 patterns.
How should I practice にくい?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after にくい, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.