(なん)

なん
noun
difficulty, trouble, defect
1. difficulty, trouble, hardship
A difficult or troublesome situation; an obstacle or challenge.
I was able to escape the danger.
I overcame difficulties and succeeded.
人生(じんせい)には(おも)いがけない(なん)がある。
There are unexpected hardships in life.
2. defect, flaw
A fault or weakness in something.
There is one flaw in this plan.
(やす)いが、耐久性(たいきゅうせい)(なん)がある。
It's cheap, but it has a flaw in durability.
(なん)()えば、(いろ)種類(しゅるい)(すく)ない。
If I had to point out a flaw, there are few color options.

(なん) can mean both 'difficulty/danger' and 'defect/flaw' depending on context.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • (なん)(のが)れる: to escape danger/difficulty
  • (なん)()()える: to overcome difficulties
  • (なん)がある: to have a flaw/problem
  • (なん)のない: flawless, without problems

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 困難(こんなん): difficulty, hardship
  • 災難(さいなん): disaster, misfortune
  • 避難(ひなん): evacuation, refuge
  • 難民(なんみん): refugee