naan4 wai4難為难为

Jyutpingnaan4 wai4

Yalenàahn wàih

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To make things difficult for someone, or to endure a tough situation or heavy pressure.

to deliberately make things difficult or embarrassing for someone
to endure a tough situation, hardship, or heavy pressure

colloquialpeopleemotion

How it's used

Focuses on the act of intentionally putting someone in an awkward or difficult position, often by making unreasonable demands. It carries a sense of empathy for the person being pressured, suggesting that the task or situation is unfair to them. Unlike a simple refusal, it implies that the requester is being inconsiderate or cruel.

Examples

nei5你giu3叫keoi5佢zou6做nei4呢joeng6樣je5嘢，zan1真hai6係naan4難wai2為keoi5佢laa3喇。

Asking him to do this is really giving him a hard time.

nei5你m4唔hou2好naan4難wai2為jan4人dei6哋laa1啦，keoi5佢dou1都m4唔soeng2想㗎。

Don't make things difficult for them, they didn't want this either.

Common phrases

naan4難wai4為cing4情

to feel embarrassed or shy

Common mistake

Learners often confuse 難為 with 為難. While 難為 is a verb meaning to make things difficult for someone else, 為難 can function as an adjective describing a state of being in a dilemma or feeling stuck, such as 我好為難.