Tough and tiring
Core words, Stage 1chunk 31 of 55Adjectives: feelings
Lets you complain that something is a pain, hard, or wearing you out.
- mendokusaiwhat a pain; such a hassle; can't be bothered
- tsuraihard; painful (emotionally); rough
- kitsuitough; hard (on you); tight (clothes); harsh (words)
- shindoiexhausting; tough; worn out
- kurushiipainful; hard to breathe; hard to bear
Mix-ups Tsurai, kitsui and shindoi overlap; kurushii leans physical (breathing, too full).
mendokusai
polite mendokusai desu
what a pain; such a hassle; can't be bothered
The everyday grumble about chores; of a person, 'mendokusai hito' = a difficult, high-maintenance person.
Spoken form of mendoukusai; often cut further to mendoi. The noun mendou (hassle) sounds softer in polite talk.
ryouri suru no, mendokusai na.
Cooking is such a pain.
料理するの、めんどくさいな。
ryouri suru no wa mendokusai desu ne.
Cooking is such a hassle, isn't it?
料理するのはめんどくさいですね。
Written 面倒くさい · めんどくさい · めんどくさいですRank #2750 in 3,030 TV dramas
tsurai
polite tsurai desu
hard; painful (emotionally); rough
For things that hurt or wear you down: a breakup, a hard job, getting up early.
The kanji 辛い is also read karai (spicy); in speech the meaning is clear.
asa hayaku okiru no, tsurai na.
Getting up early is rough.
朝早く起きるの、つらいな。
asa hayaku okiru no wa tsurai desu.
Getting up early is hard for me.
朝早く起きるのはつらいです。
Written つらい · つらいですRank #568 in 3,030 TV dramas
kitsui
polite kitsui desu
tough; hard (on you); tight (clothes); harsh (words)
For anything demanding: a hard workout, a packed schedule, tight shoes.
Zubon ga kitsui = my trousers are tight. Kitsui iikata = a harsh way of putting it.
kono shigoto, kekkou kitsui yo.
This job is pretty tough.
この仕事、けっこうきついよ。
kono shigoto wa kekkou kitsui desu.
This job is pretty tough.
この仕事はけっこうきついです。
Written きつい · きついですRank #1698 in 3,030 TV dramas
shindoi
polite shindoi desu
exhausting; tough; worn out
Covers both a draining task and how drained you feel: 'kyou shindoi' = I'm wiped today.
Started in Kansai, now used everywhere. Close to tsurai and kitsui, but more about fatigue.
kyou wa zangyou de shindokatta.
Today was exhausting with all the overtime.
今日は残業でしんどかった。
kyou wa zangyou de shindokatta desu.
Today was exhausting with all the overtime.
今日は残業でしんどかったです。
Written しんどい · しんどいですRank #3271 in 3,030 TV dramas
kurushii
polite kurushii desu
painful; hard to breathe; hard to bear
Strain you are struggling under: a tight chest, being too full, money trouble.
Tsurai is emotional hardship; kurushii leans physical. Kurushii iiwake = a lame excuse.
tabesugite onaka ga kurushii.
I ate too much, I'm painfully full.
食べすぎてお腹が苦しい。
tabesugite onaka ga kurushii desu.
I ate too much, I'm painfully full.
食べすぎてお腹が苦しいです。
Written 苦しい · くるしい · 苦しいですRank #1049 in 3,030 TV dramas