Translation guide
Expresses that an action is performed only with effort, struggle, or not easily. Japanese often uses adverbs, verb forms, or set phrases rather than a single word.
To say that someone manages to do something, but only with difficulty or just barely.
Implies that after effort or a long wait, something is finally achieved. Often used when the result is barely satisfactory.
Means 'barely' or 'just barely'. Emphasizes that the outcome was achieved by a very small margin.
かろうじて試験に合格した。
I passed the exam with difficulty.
かろうじて逃げ切った。
I barely managed to escape.
Means 'somehow or other'. Suggests that the speaker managed to do something despite difficulties, but the method may not have been ideal.
どうにか間に合った。
I made it in time, but just barely.
Literally 'with hardship'. Used when someone achieves something through considerable effort and struggle.
苦労して日本語を覚えた。
I learned Japanese with difficulty.
To emphasize that an action requires a lot of physical or mental effort, often with a sense of struggling.
Means 'desperately' or 'with all one's might'. Conveys intense effort, often in a life-or-death or high-stakes situation.
必死に泳いだ。
I swam with difficulty (desperately).
Means 'very hard' or 'with utmost effort'. Common in everyday speech for any strenuous effort.
一生懸命走った。
I ran with difficulty (as hard as I could).
Literally 'with four pains and eight sufferings'. A Buddhist term now used to mean 'struggling greatly' or 'having a hard time'.
四苦八苦して問題を解いた。
I solved the problem with great difficulty.
To say that something cannot be done easily, often using a negative verb form.
Pattern meaning 'not easily' or 'not readily'. Used with negative verbs to indicate that something takes time or effort.
なかなか眠れない。
I can't fall asleep easily (with difficulty).
なかなか覚えられない。
I can't memorize it easily.
Formal/literary way to say 'not easily'. Often used in written language.
その問題は容易に解決できない。
That problem cannot be solved easily.
Both mean 'barely', but やっと focuses on the effort and relief after achieving something, while かろうじて emphasizes the narrow margin. やっと is more common in daily conversation.
やっと電車に乗れた。
I finally managed to get on the train (after waiting/rushing).
かろうじて電車に乗れた。
I barely caught the train (just before the doors closed).
Do not translate 'with difficulty' word-for-word as 難しさで or 困難で. These are not natural Japanese adverbs. Use the expressions above instead.