Processing keyword: Verb にくい (〜nikui)

Japanese Grammar Point: Verb にくい (〜nikui)

1. Introduction

Verb にくい (〜にくい) is a Japanese grammar pattern used to express that something is difficult or hard to do. It is attached to the stem form of a verb and conveys that the action is not easy to perform due to various reasons such as physical difficulty, complexity, or inconvenience.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• Verb Stem + にくい: Indicates that an action is difficult to perform.

Structure

To form this grammar pattern, attach にくい directly to the verb stem.

Formation Diagram:

How to Form the Verb Stem

• Group 1 Verbs (Godan verbs): Change the final -u sound to the corresponding -i sound.
  • 書く (kaku) → 書き (kaki)
• Group 2 Verbs (Ichidan verbs): Remove the final -る (ru).
  • 食べる (taberu) → 食べ (tabe)
• Irregular Verbs:
  • する (suru) → し (shi)
  • 来る (kuru) → 来 (ki)

Example:

• 書く (kaku) → 書き + にくい = 書きにくい
  • "Hard to write."

3. Comparative Analysis

にくい vs. やすい

• にくい (nikui): Indicates that an action is difficult to perform.
• やすい (yasui): Indicates that an action is easy to perform.

  Grammar Pattern	Meaning	Example
  Verb Stem + にくい	Difficult to [verb]	読みにくい (hard to read)
  Verb Stem + やすい	Easy to [verb]	読みやすい (easy to read)

4. Examples in Context

Formal Speech

1. このペンは細くて書きにくいです。
   Kono pen wa hosokute kaki nikui desu.
   "This pen is thin and hard to write with."
2. 雨の日は道が滑りやすくて歩きにくいです。
   Ame no hi wa michi ga suberi yasukute aruki nikui desu.
   "On rainy days, the roads are slippery and hard to walk on."

Informal Speech

3. この靴はサイズが小さくて履きにくい。
   Kono kutsu wa saizu ga chiisakute haki nikui.
   "These shoes are small and hard to put on."
4. 彼の話し方は早くて聞きにくいよ。
   Kare no hanashikata wa hayakute kiki nikui yo.
   "His way of speaking is fast and hard to understand."

Written Context

5. このフォントは読みにくいので変更してください。
   Kono fonto wa yomi nikui node henko shite kudasai.
   "Please change the font because it's hard to read."

Spoken Context

6. この料理は辛くて食べにくいです。
   Kono ryouri wa karakute tabe nikui desu.
   "This dish is spicy and hard to eat."

5. Cultural Notes

Levels of Politeness

• にくい is neutral and can be used in both polite and casual situations.
• Adding です or ます forms increases the politeness level.
  • 書きにくいです。 (Polite)
  • 書きにくい。 (Casual)

Idiomatic Expressions

• 顔が見えにくい
  Kao ga mie nikui
  "Hard to see one's face." (Could imply someone is hiding emotions.)

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

• Mistake: Using the dictionary form instead of the verb stem.
  • Incorrect: 書くにくい
  • Correct: 書きにくい
• Mistake: Confusing にくい with the adjective 憎い (nikui) meaning "hateful."
  • Ensure context is clear to avoid misunderstanding.

Learning Strategies

• Tip: Remember that にくい attaches to the verb stem, just like ます form but without ます.
• Mnemonic: Think "Verb Stem + にくい = Not easy (ni-easy) to do."

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• Verb Stem + にくい expresses difficulty in performing an action.
• It is used across various contexts and levels of formality.
• Be cautious of verb conjugations to avoid common mistakes.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Form a sentence using 食べにくい to mean "This meat is tough and hard to eat." Answer:
   この肉は固くて食べにくいです。
   Kono niku wa katakute tabe nikui desu.
2. What is the polite form of 書きにくい? Answer:
   書きにくいです。
   Kaki nikui desu.
3. How do you say "easy to read" using the appropriate grammar pattern? Answer:
   読みやすい
   Yomi yasui

By understanding Verb にくい (〜にくい), you can express difficulties in actions more naturally in Japanese. Practice by attaching にくい to various verb stems to get comfortable with the pattern.