Vocabulary4 min read80 views
Difficult / Easy in Korean: 어려워요, 쉬워요
어려워요 = difficult. 쉬워요 = easy. 힘들어요 = hard / tiring.
Published on September 14, 2026
Difficult = 어려워요. Easy = 쉬워요. For strain: 힘들어요.
어렵다 vs 힘들다: complexity vs strain/fatigue. Learners mix them often.
Levels / phrasings
| Phrase | Romanization | Meaning | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| 어려워요 | eoryeowoyo | It's hard | Polite |
| 쉬워요 | swiwoyo | It's easy | Polite |
| 힘들어요 | himdeureoyo | It's tough | Polite |
| 할 만해요 | hal manhaeyo | It's doable | Encouraging |
Related phrases
- 복잡해요 (bokjaphaeyo): It's complicated
- 간단해요 (gandanhaeyo): It's simple
- 아직 연습 중이에요 (ajik yeonseup jungieyo): I'm still practicing
Tip
한국어 어려워요? → 어렵지만 재밌어요 sounds natural.
Common mistake
No Konglish “difficult.” Use 어려워요.
Go further
Practice these phrases in Seonsaengnim (lessons, audio dictionary, flashcards).
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