How to say "tricky" in Japanese

• 厳しいきびしいJLPT N4approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers 'tricky' in the sense of a task, test, or requirement that is hard to fulfill. The nuance is of severity and demandingness rather than subtlety; for delicate situations this is not the usual choice.
  練習れんしゅうがどんなに厳きびしくても、彼女かのじょは決けっして泣なかなかった。↗

  However hard the training was, she never cried.
• 微妙びみょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'tricky' as in a difficult, delicate situation or position where matters are finely balanced and hard to judge. Use this for tricky circumstances rather than demanding tasks.
  その顧客こきゃくの苦情くじょうは微妙びみょうな問題もんだいに関かかわるものだった。↗

  The customer's complaint was about a sensitive issue.

Use 「厳しい」 for a tricky task or demand that is hard to meet, and 微妙 for a tricky or delicate situation where judgment is finely balanced.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• トリッキーtricky
• 陰険いんけんcrafty
• やりにくいhard-to-do
• やりづらいhard-to-do
• 厳しいきびしいhard (to do)
• 微妙びみょうdifficult
• びみょいdifficult