khó khăn — meaning in English: hard

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Guess the translation for hard

khó khăn

Đen

sống

thích thú

nhân quả

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 'khó khăn' when discussing challenges in both personal and professional settings. For instance, someone might say 'Cuộc sống có nhiều khó khăn' (Life has many difficulties) when sharing personal struggles, or 'Chúng ta gặp phải những khó khăn trong dự án này' (We encounter difficulties in this project) in a workplace discussion.

Synonyms & nuances

'Khó khăn' is similar to 'khó', which simply means 'hard' or 'difficult'. However, 'khó khăn' carries a connotation of not just difficulty but also challenges that require effort to overcome. You would choose 'khó khăn' when discussing issues that are not only hard but also require a significant struggle or effort.

Culture

'Khó khăn' is derived from the combination of 'khó', meaning 'hard', and 'khăn', which relates to 'trouble' or 'obstacle'. This reflects a deep-seated cultural appreciation for resilience in Vietnamese society, where overcoming difficulties is often celebrated in stories and proverbs. It's interesting to note that many Vietnamese idioms and expressions incorporate 'khó khăn' to emphasize persistence and strength.

FAQ

Q.What does 'khó khăn' mean in English?

'Khó khăn' translates to 'hard' or 'difficult' in English, often used to describe challenging situations or tasks.

Q.How do you use 'khó khăn' in a sentence?

You can use 'khó khăn' in sentences like 'Tôi cảm thấy khó khăn khi học tiếng Việt' (I find it hard to learn Vietnamese). This shows the word's versatility in expressing difficulty.

Q.Are there common mistakes with using 'khó khăn'?

A common mistake is using 'khó' instead of 'khó khăn'. While 'khó' is appropriate for general hardness, 'khó khăn' is more suitable for complex challenges. Make sure to use 'khó khăn' for situations that imply struggle.

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Vietnamese Vocabulary