つらい · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | つらい | つらくない |
| Polite | つらいです | つらくないですalso つらくありません |
| Past polite | つらかったです | つらくなかったですalso つらくありませんでした |
| Past | つらかった | つらくなかった |
| Te-form | つらくて | つらくなくて |
| Adverbial | つらく | |
| Conditional | つらければ | つらくなければ |
| Tara conditional | つらかったら | つらくなかったら |
painful; heartbreaking; emotionally difficult
Describes emotional pain, sadness, or distress that is hard to bear. Often used for personal feelings of grief, regret, or heartache.
Breaking up with him is really painful.
I can't forget the painful memories.
tough; hard; difficult (situation)
Refers to situations, conditions, or tasks that are physically or mentally demanding, harsh, or hard to endure. Often used for life circumstances, work, or environments.
See also: づらい
This job is hard on the body.
I won't give up even in tough situations.
Describes words, actions, or attitudes that are unkind, severe, or merciless. Often used when someone is being harsh to another person.
Don't say such cruel things.
He treats his subordinates harshly.
Being alone is painful for me.
As a child, I had a painful experience being bullied.
He is harsh on his subordinates.
つらい emphasizes emotional pain or hardship endured, while しんどい is more about the sheer effort or exhaustion something demands.
difficult to say; hard to bring up
Mixed katakana-hiragana spelling, occasionally seen in casual writing.