Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

難色 (なんしょく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

難なん色しょく

な

ん

しょ

く

Common word›Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

disapproval; reluctance; unwillingness

Often used in the phrase 難色を示す (to show reluctance/disapproval). Conveys a negative reaction or hesitation, typically in formal or written contexts.

彼かれはその提てい案あんに難なん色

しょく

を

示しめ

し

た

。

He showed reluctance toward the proposal.

社しゃ長ちょうは新あたらしい計けい画かくに難なん色しょくを示しめしている。

The company president is expressing disapproval of the new plan.

Usage patterns

〈人ひと〉が〈事こと〉に難なん色しょくを示しめすfor someone to show reluctance/disapproval toward something
上じょう司しはその提てい案あんに難なん色しょくを示しめした。
The boss showed reluctance toward the proposal.
強つよく難なん色しょくを示しめすto strongly express disapproval or reluctance
住じゅう民みんたちは計けい画かくに強つよく難なん色しょくを示しめした。
The residents strongly expressed their opposition to the plan.

Kanji

難difficult, impossible, trouble
色color

Related words

反はん対たいN4
反対 is direct, outspoken opposition, while 難色 describes a more subtle, often nonverbal reluctance or disapproval.
異い論ろんN1
異論 is a stated counter-argument or objection, whereas 難色 is the visible hesitance or disapproving reaction someone shows, often without explaining why.
抵てい抗こうN3
抵抗 implies actively resisting something, while 難色 merely signals hesitance or disapproval without necessarily fighting it.

Opposites

賛さん成せいN4
賛成 means agreement or approval, the direct opposite of the reluctance or disapproval expressed by 難色.

Etymology

Compound of 難 (difficulty, trouble) and 色 (color, expression), literally 'difficult expression', referring to a facial expression or attitude showing reluctance.