Japanese Words #1 – Muzukashii

Yesterday I was teaching English to a small group of mostly retired Japanese people, and we were discussing the differences between the English and Japanese languages. While this is certainly a vast simplification, the Japanese language tends to be more focused on ‘bang for your buck’, by trying to squeeze the most meaning possible from the least number of words. English on the other hand is not averse to using many more words to bolster arguments and to explain meaning as clearly as possible.

From time to time I want to feature some Japanese words that I have encountered, which are interesting in some way in terms of their usage and meaning. The first word that I have chosen here is ‘Muzukashii’ – always start with the most ‘difficult’…..

Last night I recounted a story from about 10 years ago, when I was studying for my MBA through an Australian University, while living in Niigata. I went to the Niigata University library one day, hoping that I may be able to search their books, and perhaps even arrange some kind of lending system in cooperation with my Australian university. I asked the librarian about this, and the response was ‘sore wa muzukashii desu ne’ (Literal Translation: ‘That would be difficult’). Being the hard headed literalist, who is never afraid of a challenge, I decided to play a little with this response (even though I knew very well what it really meant). I told the librarian that I didn’t mind if it was difficult, I was asking if it was possible. Because if it were possible, difficult or not, I would like to do it… I’m sure you can guess the kind of response to this. The librarian seemed to reach into her brain to find some other way to express herself, because this literalist foreigner obviously wasn’t getting the point. The conversation continued for several minutes, until I tired of it, knowing that I had made my point, and that the original meaning of her statement ‘muzukashii desu ne’ had in fact been ‘no, thats not possible’.

If we look up the definition of ‘muzukashii’ in a dictionary, we may find it defined as ‘hard, difficult, troublesome’ (that’s how my old trusty Sanseido Consice has it defined). But in certain circumstances, the word trancends this kind of definition, and takes on a life of its own. Again, being the hard headed literalist that I am, I have had many discussions (arguments?) with Japanese people over the years about the use of words like this. I would argue that ‘muzukashii’ has a particular meaning, and by using it in a situation such as that above, you are not conveying a clear message. The problem with this argument of course is that the meaning was very clear (both to me, and to the person saying it, as well as to anyone else that understands the language) – the answer was no.

This is one of the most difficult parts of learning a language. Its why I tell my students over and over again that I don’t want them learning their language from dictionaries. Far better that they learn it from a real foreigner or even a movie or a tv show. Because then they will learn how to use the word, as well as its nuances and yes, meaning in different circumstances. I know its muzukashii, but for anyone struggling with learning Japanese right now, stick with it. It is incredibly rewarding. Especially when you begin to realize that you can understand on a level beyond that which is written in a dictionary or textbook…