にくい
JLPT Level: N4
Meanings
Difficult to
Hard to
Not easy to do something
Usage
Vmasu-stem + にくい
Explanation
にくい attaches to the stem form of a verb (the ます-stem) to express that doing that verb is hard or difficult. It emphasizes the effort, effortfulness, or impracticality of performing the action. It is commonly used for everyday actions and skills, and is more neutral than more subjective expressions like 難しい. To describe the difficulty of actions or processes, you attach にくい to the verb stem, not to the dictionary form directly. Note that 〜にくい is not typically used with い adjectives or nouns; for those you would use different expressions like 〜くない, 〜にくさ, or other construction.
このペンは細くて書きにくい。
このペンはほそくてかきにくい。
This pen is thin and hard to write with.
この道は狭くて通りにくい。
このみちはせまくてとおりにくい。
This road is narrow and hard to pass through.
この機械は使いにくい。
このきかいはつかいにくい。
This machine is hard to use.
この本は漢字が多くて、読みにくい。
この ほん は かんじ が おおくて、よみにくい。
This book has many kanji and is hard to read.
その椅子は座りにくい。
そのいすはすわりにくい。
That chair is uncomfortable to sit on.
この計画は進めにくい。
このけいかくはすすめにくい。
This plan is hard to push forward.