至難
Meanings
1
na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
extremely difficult; next to impossible
A relatively formal word for something so hard that it is almost impossible. Common in set-like phrases such as 至難の業 and 至難を極める.
Under these conditions, convincing everyone is extremely difficult.
Breaking his record is a nearly impossible task.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉は至難だfor something to be extremely difficult
Persuading him is next to impossible.
- 至難を極めるto be extraordinarily difficult
Solving this difficult problem is extraordinarily hard.
Expressions
- 至難の業Herculean task; next-to-impossible undertaking