難 題(なんだい)

なんだい

noun

difficult problem, tall order

1. difficult problem, tall order, tough challenge

A problem or request that is extremely difficult to solve or fulfill. Often implies an unreasonable or nearly impossible demand.

難題(なんだい)を突(つ)きつけられた。

I was confronted with a difficult problem.

難題(なんだい)を解決(かいけつ)する。

To solve a difficult problem.

上司(じょうし)から無理(むり)な難題(なんだい)を押(お)しつけられて困(こま)っている。

I'm troubled because my boss is pushing an impossible demand on me.

難題(なんだい) refers to an extremely difficult problem or an unreasonable demand. It often implies something that is nearly impossible to handle.

Etymology

難(なん) (difficult) + 題(だい) (problem, topic).

Common patterns

難題(なんだい)を突(つ)きつける: to confront someone with a difficult demand
難題(なんだい)を解決(かいけつ)する: to solve a difficult problem
難題(なんだい)を押(お)しつける: to foist a tough problem on someone
難題(なんだい)を抱(かか)える: to be saddled with a difficult problem
難題(なんだい)山積(さんせき): mountains of difficult problems

Similar words

問題(もんだい): problem (neutral, general)
課題(かだい): task, assignment, challenge
難題(なんだい): difficult problem (emphasizes extreme difficulty or unreasonableness)

Related Words

Compare: 難問(なんもん) (difficult question)

Compare: 問題(もんだい) (problem)

Compare: 課題(かだい) (task, assignment, challenge)

general

Added 2026.3.14 13:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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