大変

たいへん

Very tough; difficult; a lot

N5na-adjective·taihen

How to remember it

大 (big) + 変 (change) — a big, upsetting change means things are hard.

Example sentences

  • 昨日は大変でした。

    きのうはたいへんでした。

    Yesterday was really tough.

  • この仕事は大変ですね。

    このしごとはたいへんですね。

    This work is hard, isn't it?

Usage

As an adjective = "tough"; as an adverb = "very"; also a sympathy exclamation.

Related words

難しい忙しい辛い無理

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