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 ~
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.
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
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.
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
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with づらい, then rewrite it with にくい.
Is づらい on the JLPT?
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
Practice questions for づらい
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.
Related grammar to review next
- にくい — hard to do.
- やすい — easy to do; prone to.
- なかなか～ない — not easy to; not readily.
- たがる — 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.
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FAQ about づらい
What does づらい (zurai) mean in Japanese?
づらい (zurai) means “hard to do; emotionally difficult”. It is JLPT N4 grammar. Use づらい when you want to express that an action is hard to do; emotionally difficult.
How do you form づらい (zurai)?
The pattern attaches to the masu-stem of a verb and functions as an i-adjective.
What is the difference between づらい and にくい?
づらい: emotionally difficult; physically awkward; uncomfortable. にくい: objectively difficult; resistant to ~.
What is an example sentence with づらい (zurai)?
この話は言いづらいです。 — This is hard to say.