Meaning and Usage
"厄介" (やっかい) is a common adjective and noun used to describe something or someone that causes trouble, difficulty, or is burdensome. It often conveys a sense of annoyance or complexity that requires extra effort to handle.
Common Contexts
It is frequently used to talk about problems, people, or situations that are hard to manage or cause inconvenience. For example, "厄介な問題" means a troublesome problem, and "厄介な人" refers to a difficult or troublesome person.
Collocations and Patterns
- 厄介な問題: troublesome problem, used when a problem is complicated or hard to solve.
- 厄介になる: to become indebted or to be under someone's care, often implying a burden.
- 厄介をかける: to cause trouble or inconvenience to someone.
Register and Nuance
"厄介" is neutral to slightly informal and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese. It often implies a negative feeling but can be softened depending on context.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "厄介" with simply "difficult" (難しい). However, "厄介" emphasizes the troublesome or burdensome nature rather than just difficulty. Use "厄介" when you want to express that something causes extra trouble or annoyance.