Level 5

곤란

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Meaning and Usage

The word '곤란' refers to situations or conditions that are difficult, troublesome, or awkward. It is often used to describe problems that are hard to solve or circumstances that cause discomfort or embarrassment.

Common Contexts

'곤란' is frequently used in formal and informal contexts to express difficulty or awkwardness. It can describe both practical problems and social situations where one feels uneasy.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 곤란하다: to be difficult or troublesome
  • 곤란한 상황: a difficult or awkward situation
  • 곤란을 겪다: to experience difficulty

These collocations help express various nuances of difficulty, from practical challenges to social discomfort.

Usage Tips

When using '곤란', speakers often imply that the situation is not just difficult but also somewhat inconvenient or embarrassing. It is common to see it paired with verbs like '하다' or used as an adjective before nouns.

Avoid confusing '곤란' with simple '어려움' (difficulty), as '곤란' often carries a nuance of awkwardness or trouble beyond mere difficulty.

Example Sentences

그 문제는 해결하기가 정말 곤란하다.

Geu munjeneun haegyeolhagi ga jeongmal gonranhada.

That problem is really difficult to solve.

곤란한 상황에서는 솔직하게 말하는 것이 좋다.

Gonranhan sanghwangeseoneun soljikage malhaneun geosi jota.

In difficult situations, it is better to speak honestly.

그는 곤란한 질문을 받자 잠시 말을 멈췄다.

Geuneun gonranhan jilmun-eul batja jamsi mareul meomchwotda.

He paused for a moment when he received a difficult question.