# づらい: hard to do; emotionally difficult > Learn how to use づらい, a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar point meaning hard to do; emotionally difficult, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N4 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n4-zurai/ **づらい** means **hard to do; emotionally difficult**. It is a **JLPT N4** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that an action feels difficult because of emotional reluctance, social pressure, or physical awkwardness. This grammar point often appears in everyday conversation, JLPT N4 reading passages, and informal writing. If you want to say that something is hard to do—not because it is objectively impossible, but because it feels uncomfortable—**づらい** is the pattern you need. ## What does づらい mean? Use **づらい** when you want to express that an action is **hard to do; emotionally difficult**. Natural translations include: - hard to do - emotionally difficult - awkward to do - uncomfortable to ~ The best translation depends on the sentence. Notice whether the difficulty is emotional or physical awkwardness before you choose the English phrase. ## How to form づらい The pattern attaches to the masu-stem of a verb and functions as an i-adjective.
Verb masu-stemづらい
Examples of the pattern: - 言い → 言いづらい - 読み → 読みづらい - 歩き → 歩きづらい A closely related form is **にくい**, which also attaches to the masu-stem but carries a different nuance. ## When is づらい used? Use **づらい** in situations like: - describing an action you hesitate to do for emotional or social reasons - pointing out that something feels physically awkward or uncomfortable - reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences where subjective difficulty matters Tone and register: - usually neutral - common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday Japanese - more subjective than **にくい**, which sounds more objective ## づらい example sentences
この話は言いづらいです。
This is hard to say.
emotionally difficult
彼の字は読みづらいです。
His handwriting is hard to read.
physically awkward
この靴は歩きづらいです。
These shoes are hard to walk in.
physical discomfort
先生には相談しづらいです。
It is hard to talk to the teacher about it.
social reluctance
この椅子は座りづらいです。
This chair is uncomfortable to sit in.
physical awkwardness
After reading each sentence, ask what kind of difficulty **づらい** signals. If the problem is emotional hesitation or physical awkwardness rather than objective impossibility, **づらい** is the natural choice. ## Nuance of づらい The key nuance is **subjective difficulty**: the speaker finds the action hard because of feelings, social context, or physical awkwardness, not because the task is objectively impossible. This matters because **づらい** can describe emotional barriers, social pressure, or uncomfortable physical situations. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation. If the context is objective resistance, **にくい** is usually the better fit. ## づらい vs にくい Both **づらい** and **にくい** attach to the masu-stem and describe difficulty, but they do different jobs.
づらい
emotionally difficult; physically awkward; uncomfortable
Use when the barrier is subjective, emotional, or social.
この話は言いづらいです。
This is hard to say.
vs
にくい
objectively difficult; resistant to ~
Use when the barrier is objective or inherent to the object.
彼の字は読みにくいです。
His handwriting is difficult to read.
If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the speaker describing an emotional hurdle or an objective property? That distinction usually tells you which grammar point is natural. ## Common mistakes with づらい
❌ Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context.
✅ Confirm whether the difficulty is emotional or physical before you choose づらい.
❌ Attaching づらい to the dictionary form or ta-form of a verb.
✅ Attach づらい only to the masu-stem: 言いづらい, not ×言うづらい.
❌ Confusing づらい with にくい because the English can sound similar.
✅ Reserve にくい for objective difficulty and づらい for subjective or emotional difficulty.
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **づらい**, then rewrite it with **にくい**. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words. ## Is づらい on the JLPT?
N4

Yes. づらい is connected to JLPT N4 grammar.

  • Recognize it in reading
  • Understand its nuance in context
  • 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 づらい
1 Write one short sentence using the basic structure. production
2 Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point. variation
3 Compare your sentence with the related pattern にくい. contrast
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear. ## Learning path for づらい To learn **づらい** efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.
1 Make one short sentence with づらい without looking at the pattern chart.
2 Compare it with にくい. Choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3 Add やすい or なかなか～ない to see how the nuance changes.
4 Write one sentence that uses づらい literally, one that changes the subject or time expression, and one that contrasts it with にくい.
## Related grammar to review next - [にくい](/blog/n4-nikui/) — strengthens the contrast between ability, ease, difficulty, and negation. - [やすい](/blog/n4-yasui/) — strengthens the contrast between ability, ease, difficulty, and negation. - [なかなか～ない](/blog/n4-nakanaka-nai/) — strengthens the contrast between ability, ease, difficulty, and negation. - [たがる](/blog/n4-tagaru/) — contrasts with this pattern from the desire, emotion, and outward-sign grammar group. ## Learn づらい with Hane If you want to review **づらい** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)