にくい・難いnikui

1. suffix, i-adjectivedifficult to ...; hard to ...after the -masu stem of a verb
   プラスチックは割われにくい。↗

   Plastic does not break easily.

• SynonymきついCasualA colloquial standalone adjective for something tiring, tight or harsh; 「にくい」 attaches to verbs to say an action is hard to do.
• Synonym困難こんなんWrittenA written/formal noun for difficulty, as in 「困難に直面」; 「にくい」 is a suffix attached to verbs.
• Synonym難しいむずかしいNeutralA standalone adjective meaning difficult; 「にくい」 attaches to verbs to say something is not easy to do, as in 「言いにくい」.
• Synonym手ごわいてごわいNeutralDescribes an opponent that is tough to handle, as in 「手ごわい相手」; 「にくい」 is a verb suffix.
• SynonymハードNeutralA loanword for tough, high-intensity things, as in 「ハードな仕事」; 「にくい」 is a verb suffix.
• Related厄介やっかいNeutralStands on its own as a na-adjective for something troublesome or thorny, as in 「厄介な問題」; 「にくい」 is a suffix attached to verbs, as in 「読みにくい」.
• Related面倒めんどうNeutralFor things that take effort or are a bother; 「にくい」 attaches to verbs to say an action is hard to do.
• RelatedめんどくさいCasualColloquial for being put off by the hassle and reluctant to bother; 「にくい」 attaches to verbs meaning hard to do.
• Related複雑ふくざつNeutralFor structures or relationships that are complicated; 「にくい」 attaches to verbs to say something is not easy to do.
• Related煩雑はんざつWrittenWritten/formal prose for things so tangled they are a hassle, like procedures; 「にくい」 attaches to verbs meaning not easy.
• RelatedしんどいCasualColloquial, with a Kansai flavor, for feeling tired or drained by an effort; 「にくい」 is a verb suffix.

Attach 「〜にくい」 to a verb to say an action is hard to do, as in 「分かりにくい」. For a standalone word, use 「難しい」 for difficult, 「面倒」 or 「厄介」 for bothersome, 「きつい」 or 「しんどい」 for tiring, and 「手ごわい」 for a tough opponent.

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

1. ～するのが難むずかしい。