Usage of 难以
The phrase 难以 is used to express that something is difficult or hard to do. It is often followed by a verb, indicating the action that is challenging. For example, 难以理解 means "hard to understand." This phrase is formal and commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese.
Common Collocations
- 难以理解 (hard to understand): used when something is confusing or complicated.
- 难以接受 (hard to accept): used when something is emotionally or mentally difficult to accept.
- 难以想象 (hard to imagine): used when something is beyond easy imagination.
Nuances
Using 难以 emphasizes the difficulty or impossibility of an action, often implying a strong emotional or intellectual challenge. It is more formal than simply saying 很难 and is often found in news reports, essays, or serious conversations.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse 难以 with 难, which can be an adjective meaning "difficult." 难以 always functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, so it must be followed by a verb to form a meaningful phrase.