難 局(なんきょく)

なんきょく

noun

difficult situation; crisis; deadlock

1. difficult situation; crisis; deadlock

A serious or critical situation that is hard to resolve. Used for political, economic, or organizational challenges that require careful handling.

難局(なんきょく)を乗(の)り越(こ)える。

To overcome a difficult situation.

会社(かいしゃ)は今(いま)、難局(なんきょく)に直面(ちょくめん)している。

The company is now facing a crisis.

新(あたら)しいリーダーが難局(なんきょく)を打開(だかい)する手腕(しゅわん)を見(み)せた。

The new leader demonstrated the ability to break through the crisis.

A formal word for a serious, difficult situation — stronger than 困難(こんなん) and implying a situation that could have significant consequences if not resolved.

Common collocations

難局(なんきょく)を乗(の)り越(こ)える: to overcome a crisis
難局(なんきょく)を打開(だかい)する: to break through a deadlock
難局(なんきょく)に直面(ちょくめん)する: to face a difficult situation
難局(なんきょく)に立(た)たされる: to be placed in a difficult position

Similar words

危機(きき): crisis — emphasizes danger and urgency
困難(こんなん): difficulty — more general, less severe
苦境(くきょう): predicament — emphasizes personal suffering or hardship

Related Words

Compare: 危機(きき) (crisis)

Compare: 困難(こんなん) (difficulty)

Compare: 苦境(くきょう) (predicament)

Compare: 好局(こうきょく) (favorable situation)

general

Added 2026.4.2 0:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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