Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
为难 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
为难wéinánto feel embarrassed or awkwardHSK 6, v, rank #6637, Hard
为难wéinánto make things difficult (for someone)HSK 6, v, rank #6637, Hard
为难wéinánto find things difficult (to do or manage)HSK 6, v, rank #6637, Hard
wéinán(wei2nan2) T2
  1. 1to feel embarrassed or awkward
  2. 2to make things difficult (for someone)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
为难(為難)wéinán(wei2nan2)

为难 refers to the feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness, often in social situations. It can also mean to create difficulties for someone or to find oneself in a challenging predicament. This term is commonly used when discussing interpersonal relationships or situations where someone feels pressured or uncomfortable.

Frequency#6637DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, saving face is crucial, and 为难 often reflects situations where someone's dignity is at stake. This word is frequently used in discussions about social etiquette and the pressure to conform to group expectations.

Memory Tip

Think of 为 (wei) as 'to be' and 难 (nan) as 'difficult.' Imagine someone trying to 'be' in a difficult situation, feeling caught between a rock and a hard place, which can help you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.

Meanings of 为难

wéinán(wei2nan2)
1to feel embarrassed or awkward
2to make things difficult (for someone)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 为难

为难Simplified
為難Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#6637Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRB2

Podcast: 为难

JasonAmy

Podcast: 为难

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 为难

Quick Contrast

尴尬 (gāngà) refers specifically to feeling awkward, while 为难 (wéinán) can also imply creating difficulties for someone.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 为 (wei) as 'to be' and 难 (nan) as 'difficult.' Imagine someone trying to 'be' in a difficult situation, feeling caught between a rock and a hard place, which can help you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 为难 with 困难 (kùn nán), which also means 'difficult' but is used in different contexts. 为难 is more about personal embarrassment or social awkwardness. Be mindful of tone; the second character 难 should be pronounced with a falling tone.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 为难 connects well with other advanced vocabulary around interpersonal communication, such as 交流 (jiāo liú - communication) and 处理 (chǔ lǐ - to handle). Focus on using it in sentences that describe social scenarios to enhance fluency.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, saving face is crucial, and 为难 often reflects situations where someone's dignity is at stake. This word is frequently used in discussions about social etiquette and the pressure to conform to group expectations.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is to use 为难 in contexts that do not involve social embarrassment, such as saying '这道题很为难' (This question is very embarrassing), which should be corrected to '这道题很难' (This question is very difficult).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 为难

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 为难 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

为wèibecause of
HSK 34 strokes丶
View full entry
难nándifficult (to...)
HSK 310 strokes又
View full entry

Write 为难

为
难

Practice writing 为难 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 为难

为难 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons4
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他不去算了，不要____他了。

If he doesn't want to go, then forget it — don't put him in a difficult position.

Example Sentences for 为难 (5)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
罗布在做医生还是当运动员之间痛苦抉择，左右为难。

luó bù zài zuò yī shēng huán shì dāng yùn dòng yuán zhī jiān tòng kǔ jué zé， ， zuǒ yòu wéi。

Robb is torn between becoming a doctor and a career in athletics.
2
她接受了这个令人为难的差事，负责打头几个电话。

tā jiē shòu le zhè gè líng rén wéi nán de chà shì， ， fù zé dǎ tóu jī gè diàn。

She had the unenviable task of making the first few phone calls.
3
好吧，也许我在那件事上使你为难了。

hǎo bā， ， yě xǔ wǒ zài nà jiàn shì shàng shǐ nǐ wéi nán。

Well, maybe I stumped you on that one.
4
争论双方使约旦领导人左右为难。

zhēng lùn shuāng fāng shǐ yuē dàn lǐng dǎo rén zuǒ yòu wéi nán。

The Jordanian leader is caught between both sides in the dispute.
5
她猜出了伯莎目前的为难之处; 而这看来很容易克服.

tā cāi chū le bó suō mù qián de wéi nán zhī chǔ; ; ér zhè kàn lái hěn róng yì kè.

She guessed Bertha's present difficulty, and It'seemed easily surmountable.

Cultural Notes for 为难

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, saving face is crucial, and 为难 often reflects situations where someone's dignity is at stake. This word is frequently used in discussions about social etiquette and the pressure to conform to group expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions about 为难

You might say, '他让我很为难' (Tā ràng wǒ hěn wéi nán), meaning 'He makes me feel very awkward.'