难堪

• Pinyin: nán kān
• Hanzi breakdown: 难 = 又 + 隹 (difficult); 堪 = 土 + 甚 (endure)

Meaning

To feel embarrassed; unbearable. As an adjective, awkward, humiliating, or intolerable.

Describes situations that are embarrassing, shameful, or hard to bear emotionally. Often used for social embarrassment, public humiliation, or circumstances that are difficult to endure.

Examples

1. 他当众出丑，感到非常难堪。 He made a fool of himself in public and felt extremely embarrassed.
2. 她的话让他陷入难堪的境地。 Her words put him in an awkward position.
3. 面对这样的质问，他难堪得说不出话。 Faced with that kind of questioning, he was so embarrassed he couldn’t say a word.

Usage Guide

Context: social situations, emotions, conflicts

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 被当众批评让他感到十分难堪。(Being criticized in public made him feel very embarrassed.)
• 她故意让对方难堪以示报复。(She deliberately embarrassed the other party as revenge.)

Don't Say

• 我难堪地成功 — 难堪 describes embarrassment or discomfort, not success

Origin & History

难 (difficult) + 堪 (endure)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal