Kanji 困: quandary, become distressed, annoyed

Key takeaways

Kanji 困: quandary, become distressed, annoyed. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

困

Meaning

quandarybecome distressedannoyed

On reading

コン

Kun reading

こま.る

Radical

囗

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 困

quandary, become distressed, annoyed

Kanji structure breakdown

困

Structure breakdown

囗 + 木

Mnemonic story

A tree (木) is trapped inside a narrow enclosure (囗). Since the tree is stuck and cannot grow any further, it symbolizes being in a difficult situation or a quandary.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

コン

貧困ひんこん
poverty / severe lack of money
困難こんなん
difficulty / hardship / trouble

Kun reading

こま.る

困るこまる
to be troubled / worried

Commonly used words

貧困
ひんこん
poverty / severe lack of money
困難
こんなん
difficulty / hardship / trouble
困る
こまる
to be troubled / worried

Example sentences

Example 1

その地域では貧困が深刻な問題です。

Translation

Poverty is a serious problem in that area.

Example 2

貧困のために学校に行けない子どもがいる。

Translation

There are children who can't go to school due to poverty.

Example 3

この仕事は困難が多いです。

Translation

This job has many difficulties.

Example 4

困難な状況でもあきらめないで。

Translation

Don't give up even in difficult situations.

Kanji 困: quandary, become distressed, annoyed

Kanji at a glance

Core meaning / core image

Kanji structure breakdown

Mnemonic story

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

Kun reading

Commonly used words

Example sentences

貧困 (ひんこん): meaning and examples

困難 (こんなん): meaning and examples

困る (こまる): meaning and examples