出难题

• Pinyin: chū nán tí
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 = to present; 难 = difficult; 题 = question/problem

Meaning

To pose a difficult question; to make things difficult for someone; to give a tough challenge.

Can be literal (asking a hard question) or figurative (creating obstacles or problems for someone). Sometimes implies deliberate difficulty-making.

Examples

1. 面试官故意出难题考验应聘者。 The interviewer deliberately posed difficult questions to test the candidates.
2. 客户又出难题了，要求我们三天内交货。 The client gave us another tough challenge — demanding delivery within three days.
3. 别给我出难题，我已经够忙的了。 Don't make things difficult for me — I'm already busy enough.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, exams, negotiations

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 老师喜欢出难题考学生。(The teacher likes to pose difficult questions to test students.)
• 你这不是给我出难题吗？(Aren't you just making things difficult for me?)

Don't Say

• 我出难题了 (Ambiguous — specify who you're challenging: 我给他出了个难题)

Origin & History

Verb-object construction: 出 (to pose/present) + 难题 (difficult problem). Presenting someone with a challenge.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal