JLPT N2・N4 Grammar – ”〜にくい”, ”〜づらい” and “〜がたい”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between ”〜にくい”, ”〜づらい” and “〜がたい”
2. 〜にくい
3. 〜づらい
4. 〜がたい
5. Let’s Compare
6. Various usage patterns
7. Summary
8. Quiz
9. Similar Articles
10. Comment

Q: What are the differences between “〜にくい”・”〜づらい” and “〜がたい”?

A: All three convey meanings of “difficult,” “challenging,” or “impossible.” However, using them correctly is crucial for effective communication. Let’s first understand the meanings and key points of each.

〜にくい (JLPT N4)

[Meaning ①] It is difficult/challenging to do so.

[Point]
This indicates that due to a certain reason, it is difficult for the speaker to do something.

[Rule]　
[N] Volitional Verb Stem form＋にくい

[Examples]
このおかしは固かたくて食たべにくいです。
This sweets is hard and difficult to eat.
⇒ It is difficult to eat because it is hard.

この説明せつめいは複雑ふくざつでわかりにくいです。
This explanation is complicated and hard to understand.
⇒ It is difficult to understand the explanation because it is complex.

[Meaning ②] The likelihood of that happening is low or it’s unlikely to happen.

[Point]
It represents the nature and durability of the object.

[Rule]　
[N] Non-Volitional Verb Stem formーます＋にくい

[Examples]
このおかしはカロリーが低ひくくて太ふとりにくいです。
These sweets have low calories and are unlikely to cause weight gain.
⇒ Since it is low in calories, there is a low possibility of gaining weight even if you eat it.

このおはしは丈夫じょうぶで折おれにくいです。
These chopsticks are sturdy and resistant to breaking.
⇒This sentence communicates that the object’s durability makes it less likely to break.

〜づらい (JLPT N2)

[Meaning] It is difficult/challenging to do so.

[Point]
This expression is used to indicate that it is physically, mentally, or emotionally difficult for the speaker to do something. It can also be used to express the speaker’s feelings of regret or apology towards something.

[Rule]　
[N] Volitional Verb Stem form＋づらい

[Examples]
<Physical>　足あしが痛いたくて走はしりづらいです。
My feet hurt, making it difficult to run.
⇒ It means that it is physically painful because my leg hurts.

<Psychological>　みんな残業ざんぎょうしていて帰かえりづらいです。
It’s hard to leave when everyone is working overtime.
⇒ This expresses that, considering everyone else, it is psychologically difficult to leave.

〜がたい (JLPT N2)

[Meaning] The extent of something is excessive, and although the speaker wants to do it, they cannot.

[Point]
This expression is used to indicate that the speaker wants to do something but is unable to do so. It does not express matters of ability. Often, due to its somewhat formal tone, the subjects involved are typically serious. The verbs used are not very numerous and are often employed in idiomatic phrases.

[Rule]　
[N] Verbs expressing emotions or statements in the Stem form＋がたい

[Examples]
彼かれの話はなしが本当ほんとうか信しんじがたいです。
His story is hard to believe.
⇒ I want to believe his story, but it’s too absurd, so I cannot believe it.

この話はなしについてはなんとも言いいがたいですね。
It’s hard to say anything about this story.
⇒ I have things I want to say about this story, but I cannot say them.

Let’s Compare

Since the meanings differ slightly like this, let’s make sure to remember them well.
Now, let’s try using the same verb to better understand the differences.

[Example]　食たべます
このおかしは固かたくて食たべにくいです。
This sweets is hard and difficult to eat.
⇒ It indicates that it is difficult for the speaker to eat the sweets because it is hard.

歯はが痛いたくておかしが食たべづらいです。
My tooth hurts, making it difficult to eat sweets.
⇒ It indicates that it is physically difficult for the speaker to eat the sweets because their teeth hurt.
　 It can also be considered difficult from the mental perspective of experiencing pain.

早はやくごはんを食たべたいけど、まだ誰だれも食たべ始はじめていないから食たべづらいな。
I want to eat, but it’s awkward because no one has started eating yet.
⇒ It indicates that it is psychologically difficult for the speaker to eat, seeing that they want to eat but no one else has started eating yet.

このおかし、食たべがたいな。
This sweet is difficult to eat.
⇒ First of all, ‘eat’ is not a verb that expresses emotional states or statements.
　 Therefore, it cannot be used in this context.

Various usage patterns

When both ”〜にくい” and ”〜づらい” can be used

仕事しごとを辞やめたいけど、言いいにくいな。
仕事しごとを辞やめたいけど、言いいづらいな。
I want to quit my job, but it’s hard to say.

いま会議かいぎ中ちゅうだしトイレへ行いきにくいな。
いま会議かいぎ中ちゅうだしトイレへ行いきづらいな。
I’m in a meeting right now, so it’s difficult to go to the bathroom.

If the cause is attributed to one’s boss, people around them, or the situation, then “〜にくい” is appropriate.
If the speaker subjectively feels the situation is psychologically challenging, then “〜づらい” is more suitable.

Only “〜にくい” can express the nature and durability of things!

このコップはステンレスで、飲のみ物ものが冷さめにくいです。
This cup is made of stainless steel, so it doesn’t cool drinks easily.
⇒ It is talking about the inherent property of stainless steel, which means beverages are less likely to get cold.

この紙かみは濡ぬれても破やぶれにくいです。
This paper is difficult to tear even when wet.
⇒ While ordinary paper tears when wet, the speaker is discussing the durability of this paper, which has a low likelihood of being torn.

Verbs Expressing Mental States or Utterances + がたい

Compared to the other two, “〜がたい” is limited to verbs expressing mental states and utterances. However, the number of verbs it can be used with is not very large, and it is mostly used idiomatically, so it’s recommended to memorize it as a phrase.

[Commonly used Verbs]
Verbs expressing emotions and feelings: “信じる” (believe), “想像する” (imagine), “受け入れる” (accept), “許す” (forgive), “理解する” (understand)
Verbs expressing utterances like “言う” (say), “話す” (speak)

Verbs Expressing Mental States or Utterances ＋ にくい・づらい・がたい

Actually, all the verbs introduced earlier can be used with “〜にくい”, ”〜づらい” and”〜がたい“.
You might wonder what the difference is, but even if the verb changes, the points for each are the same. Let’s think about appropriate sentences using the same verbs.

[Example]　想像そうぞうする
そんな少すくない情報じょうほうだと、想像そうぞうしにくいよ。
It’s hard to imagine with so little information.
⇒ It’s a situation where the speaker finds it difficult to imagine due to limited information.

ちょっとわたしには想像そうぞうしづらいです。
I find it a bit hard to imagine.
⇒ It indicates that it’s difficult for the speaker to imagine due to their cognitive abilities.

このまま温暖おんだん化かが進すすめば、明あかるい未来みらいは想像そうぞうしがたいです。
If global warming continues like this, it’s hard to imagine a bright future.
⇒ With worsening climate change, imagining a bright future becomes desirable but difficult/impossible.

Summary

When something makes it difficult or challenging for the speaker to perceive as hard or tough, “〜にくい” is used.
When there’s a factor or issue affecting the speaker, making it difficult or tough for them, “〜づらい” is used.
When the degree surpasses a certain threshold, and despite the speaker wanting to do something, it’s difficult or practically impossible for them, “〜がたい” is used.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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