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Work fills the day, leaving little free time. Use 「にくい」 to explain that making time to exercise is difficult.

Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N4 · Intermediate 1

〜にくいです~nikui desu

difficult to do

Attach 〜にくいです to a verb stem to say an action is difficult, not impossible.

How it works

Work fills the day, leaving little free time. Use 「にくい」 to explain that making time to exercise is difficult.
Remove 「ます」 from the verb’s ます form and add 「にくいです」 to say that an action is difficult to do.
「にくい」 means something is not easy to do. It does not mean it is impossible or that you are unwilling to do it.
For the same action, use 「やすい」 when it is easy and 「にくい」 when it is difficult. The meanings are opposites.
The example emphasizes that it is hard to get enough sleep when busy. It does not necessarily mean it is hard to fall asleep.

仕事しごとshigotoがgaあるaru日ひhiは、わ、wa、運動うんどうundouするsuru時間じかんjikanをo作りにくいつくりにくいtsukurinikuiです。desu。
On days when I have work, it's difficult to make time to exercise.
忙しいいそがしいisogashii日ひhiは、わ、wa、十分な睡眠じゅうぶんなすいみんjuubunnasuiminをoとりにくいtorinikuiです。desu。
On busy days, it's hard to get enough sleep.

A
最近、さいきん、夜よるに十分な睡眠じゅうぶんなすいみんをとりにくいです。
A: Lately, it's been difficult to get enough sleep at night.
B
睡眠すいみん不足ふそくはわ体調たいちょう管理かんりに良くよくないですから、心配しんぱいですね。
B: Lack of sleep is bad for health management, so that's a concern.
A
ええ、お風呂おふろに入っはいって湯船ゆぶねで深呼吸しんこきゅうをすると、リラックスりらっくすして寝やすいねやすいですよ。
A: Yes, taking a bath and taking deep breaths in the bathtub helps you relax and makes it easier to sleep.

Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
On workdays, it is hard to make time for exercise.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
仕事がある日は、運動する時間を____。
On workdays, it's hard to make time for exercise.