Translation guide
Describes someone who is hard to deal with, uncooperative, or troublesome. Japanese has several nuanced terms depending on the nature of the difficulty.
Describing someone who is generally difficult to interact with, often due to personality or behavior.
A neutral, common phrase meaning 'a person who is hard to handle/deal with'. Suitable for most situations.
彼は本当に扱いにくい人だ。
He's a really difficult person to deal with.
Means a troublesome or bothersome person. Implies they cause extra work or annoyance.
あの客は面倒な人だ。
That customer is a difficult person.
A person who is a burden or nuisance. Slightly stronger than 面倒な人.
彼女は時々厄介な人になる。
She sometimes becomes a difficult person.
Describing someone who is difficult because they resist cooperation or are obstinate.
A moody, hard-to-please person. Often used for someone who is easily offended or finicky.
上司は気難しい人で、話しかけるのが怖い。
My boss is a difficult person, and I'm afraid to talk to him.
A stubborn person. Focuses on unwillingness to change their mind or adapt.
父は頑固な人だから、説得するのは無理だ。
My father is a stubborn person, so it's impossible to persuade him.
Describing someone who is difficult because they have high or unreasonable expectations.
Literally 'noisy person', but often means a fussy, demanding, or nagging person. Casual.
隣の人はうるさい人で、いつも文句を言っている。
My neighbor is a difficult person, always complaining.
A person who is nitpicky or pays excessive attention to minor details. Often used in work contexts.
あの編集者は細かい人で、一字一句チェックする。
That editor is a difficult person, checking every single word.
Describing someone whose inherent nature makes them hard to get along with.
A person with a difficult personality. A straightforward and common phrase.
彼は性格が難しい人だけど、悪い人ではない。
He's a difficult person, but he's not a bad person.
A person who is hard to associate with or get along with. Emphasizes the difficulty of maintaining a relationship.
あの人は付き合いにくい人だと言われている。
They say that person is difficult to get along with.
The direct translation '難しい人' (muzukashii hito) is not commonly used to mean 'difficult person' in the sense of being hard to deal with. It usually means 'a person who is difficult to understand' or 'a person in a difficult situation'. Use the phrases above instead.