Onyomi: コン · Kunyomi: こま.る · Meanings: annoyed, become distressed, quandary
Kanji for annoyed, become distressed, quandary
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困 is formed from 囗 (an enclosure) with 木 (tree) trapped inside. Ancient scribes imagined a tree caught inside a box or fenced area, unable to move or grow. This powerful picture of being trapped, stuck, or restricted became the meaning of “trouble,” “difficulty,” or “being困（こま）る” — to be in a situation where you cannot easily escape or solve the problem. The enclosed tree perfectly symbolized hardship or being stuck.
A tree (木) trapped inside an enclosure (囗), expressing the feeling of being stuck or in trouble.
Imagine a tree (木) boxed in tightly (囗), unable to move — that trapped feeling is 困.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 困る | こまる | to be troubled, to have difficulty, to be in a fix, to be at a loss, to be stumped, to be embarrassed | common JLPT-N5 Godan verb with 'ru' ending, Intransitive verb |
| 困難 | こんなん | difficulty, hardship, trouble, distress | common JLPT-N3 Noun, Na-adjective (keiyodoshi) |
| 困惑 | こんわく | bewilderment, perplexity, embarrassment, discomfiture, bafflement | common Noun, Suru verb, Intransitive verb |
| 困り果てる | こまりはてる | to be at a complete loss, to be without recourse, to be completely stymied, to have absolutely no idea what to do | common Ichidan verb, Intransitive verb |
| 困窮 | こんきゅう | poverty, need, destitution | Noun, Suru verb, Intransitive verb |
| 困窮者 | こんきゅうしゃ | the poor, the needy, the destitute | Noun |
| 困ったこと | こまったこと | trouble, problem, mess, difficulty, nuisance | Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.), Noun |
| 困り顔 | こまりがお | troubled face, worried expression | Noun |
| 困憊 | こんぱい | exhaustion, fatigue | Noun, Suru verb, Intransitive verb |
| 困却 | こんきゃく | perplexity, dilemma | Noun, Suru verb, Intransitive verb |
| 困苦 | こんく | privation, hardship | Noun, Suru verb, Intransitive verb |
| 困厄 | こんやく | distress, disaster | Noun, Suru verb |
| 困りきる | こまりきる | to be greatly perplexed, to be at a loss, to be sorely troubled, to be greatly embarrassed | Godan verb with 'ru' ending, Intransitive verb |
| 困り者 | こまりもの | good-for-nothing, scapegrace, nuisance, trouble | Noun |
| 困った人 | こまったひと | difficult person, good-for-nothing, pain in the ass (arse) | Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.), Noun |