Translation guide
Expresses difficulty in doing something due to lack of time, money, or resources, or being in a difficult situation. Often used in the passive or potential form in Japanese.
The learner wants to say they are struggling to do something because of limited time, money, or other resources.
A general way to say you have difficulty doing something. It implies effort and struggle.
家賃を払うのに苦労している。
I'm hard pressed to pay the rent.
彼は仕事を見つけるのに苦労した。
He was hard pressed to find a job.
Simply states that doing something is difficult. Less emphasis on the struggle, more on the objective difficulty.
今月は家賃を払うのが難しい。
This month I'm hard pressed to pay the rent.
An idiomatic expression meaning to struggle desperately. Stronger than 苦労する.
締め切りに間に合わせるのに四苦八苦している。
I'm hard pressed to meet the deadline.
The learner wants to describe a state of being under pressure or in a tight spot.
Passive form meaning to be cornered or driven into a difficult situation. Often used when feeling pressured with no easy way out.
彼は借金で追い詰められている。
He is hard pressed by debt.
Means to be at one's wit's end or in a desperate situation. Implies urgency.
切羽詰まって助けを求めた。
Hard pressed, I asked for help.
The learner wants to express skepticism or difficulty in accepting an idea.
Used to say you can't bring yourself to think something. Often with 信じる (believe) or 想像する (imagine).
彼がそんなことをしたとは思えない。
I'd be hard pressed to believe he did such a thing.
A softer way to express doubt about the possibility of something.
彼が賛成するのは難しいだろう。
He'd be hard pressed to agree.
Do not translate 'hard pressed' literally as 固く押される or similar. It does not make sense in Japanese. Use the patterns above to convey the intended meaning.
もっといいレストランを挙げるのは難しい。
I'd be hard pressed to name a better restaurant.
彼らは時間がなくて苦労した。
They were hard pressed for time.