(なんしょ)

なんしょ
noun
difficult spot; dangerous place; treacherous point
geography
1. difficult spot; dangerous place; treacherous point
A place that is difficult or dangerous to pass through, such as a steep mountain path, a treacherous stretch of road, or a hazardous section of a river. Also used figuratively for the hardest part of a task or challenge.
この(とうげ)登山(とざん)難所(なんしょ)だ。
This mountain pass is the most treacherous part of the climb.
We finally got past the most difficult point of the construction.
At treacherous points where steep cliffs continue, you must proceed carefully using a rope.

Usage

難所(なんしょ) is used both literally for physically dangerous or hard-to-navigate places and figuratively for the toughest part of a project or undertaking.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 難所(なんしょ): difficult/dangerous spot (specific location)
  • 難関(なんかん): difficult barrier, tough challenge (more abstract)
  • 難点(なんてん): weak point, drawback (flaw or shortcoming)