聞ききにくい

i-adjective

difficult to hear; indistinct

Describes sounds or speech that are hard to make out, often due to volume, clarity, or background noise.

• 後うしろの席せきだと先せん生せいの声こえが聞ききにくい。

  It's hard to hear the teacher's voice from the back seats.

• 電でん話わの音おとが悪わるくて、相あい手ての話はなしが聞ききにくかった。

  The phone connection was bad, so it was difficult to hear what the other person was saying.

i-adjective

hesitating to ask; awkward to ask

Expresses reluctance to ask a question because it might be embarrassing, intrusive, or socially awkward.

• 給きゅう料りょうのことはちょっと聞ききにくい。

  It's a bit awkward to ask about salary.

• 彼かの女じょに年ねん齢れいを聞きくのは聞ききにくい。

  It's awkward to ask her age.

i-adjective

unpleasant to hear; painful to listen to

Used when hearing something causes emotional discomfort, such as harsh criticism, bad news, or an unpleasant truth.

• 彼かれの愚ぐ痴ちは聞ききにくい。

  His complaints are unpleasant to listen to.

• その話はなしはあまりにも悲かなしくて聞ききにくかった。

  That story was so sad it was painful to hear.