难受

nánshòu

to feel unwell

HSK 4

漢字分解

Usage and Nuances

The word "难受" (nánshòu) primarily describes physical or emotional discomfort. It is commonly used to express feeling unwell, whether due to illness, pain, or emotional distress. It can refer to both bodily sensations (like headache or tight clothing) and psychological states (such as sadness or anxiety).

Common Collocations

Register and Tone

"难受" is informal and widely used in daily conversation. It conveys a subjective feeling and is often used to explain why someone is not feeling well or is uncomfortable.

Avoiding Confusion

Do not confuse "难受" with "难过" (nánguò), which specifically means feeling sad or upset emotionally. "难受" is broader and can include physical discomfort as well.

Summary

Use "难受" to describe any kind of discomfort or unwell feeling, physical or emotional. It is a versatile and common expression in spoken Mandarin.

例文

我今天头疼得很难受,想早点休息。

Wǒ jīntiān tóuténg de hěn nánshòu, xiǎng zǎodiǎn xiūxi.

I have a bad headache today and feel unwell; I want to rest early.

他因为感冒,整天都觉得难受。

Tā yīnwèi gǎnmào, zhěngtiān dōu juéde nánshòu.

He feels unwell all day because of a cold.

这件衣服太紧了,穿着很难受。

Zhè jiàn yīfu tài jǐn le, chuānzhe hěn nánshòu.

This piece of clothing is too tight and feels uncomfortable to wear.