難読(なんどく)

なんどく
noun
difficult to read; hard-to-read (kanji, text)
education
1. difficult to read; hard to decipher
Describes text, kanji, or names that are difficult to read correctly. Most commonly used in the compound 難読漢字 (hard-to-read kanji) referring to kanji with unusual or rare readings.
これは難読(なんどく)漢字(かんじ)だ。
This is a hard-to-read kanji.
日本(にほん)には難読(なんどく)地名(ちめい)がたくさんある。
There are many hard-to-read place names in Japan.
難読(なんどく)名字(みょうじ)の持(も)ち主(ぬし)は、いつも名前(なまえ)の読(よ)み方(かた)を説明(せつめい)しなければならない。
People with hard-to-read surnames always have to explain how to read their names.

Compounds

  • 難読(なんどく)漢字(かんじ) (hard-to-read kanji)
  • 難読(なんどく)地名(ちめい) (hard-to-read place names)
  • 難読(なんどく)名字(みょうじ) (hard-to-read surnames)
  • 難読(なんどく)語(ご) (hard-to-read words)

Cultural note

Kanji quizzes featuring 難読(なんどく)漢字(かんじ) are a popular form of entertainment in Japan, appearing in TV quiz shows, books, and online content. Common examples include 薔薇(ばら) (rose), 蝸牛(かたつむり) (snail), and 海豚(いるか) (dolphin).

Similar words

  • 読(よ)みにくい: Hard to read — more general, can refer to handwriting, small print, or poor formatting, not just kanji difficulty.

Related Words

Compare: 熟字訓(じゅくじくん) (special kanji compound reading)
general
Added 2026.3.21 19:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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