【むずい・muzui】difficult

むずい・muzui/むず！・muzu! = difficult

This is an abbreviated form of 「むずかしい・muzukasii」that you hear so often these days. The word itself is not so new, but it's become more popular recently (since the early 2000s). Even though some don't accept it, it will probably become a common word in the near future just like ”まじ・maji」did.

This project is so difficult.
Is the problem hard for you?
Hard!

"Muzui/Muzu" are used widely among younger generations. You hear adults use them as well but you hardly ever hear it in formal conversations, or TV news or lectures. This is very casual.

EXAMPLES

Difficult

Grace

このぷろじぇくと、すごくむずいね。
(Kono purojekuto, sugoku muzui ne.)

(This project is very difficult.)

そうね。うまくいくといいけど・・・。
(Sōne. Umaku ikuto iikedo・・・.)

Keiko

(i know. I hope it'll go smoothly.)

Difficult

Grace

そのもんだい、むずい？
(Sono mondai muzui?)

(Is the problem difficult?)

むずい！すごくむずい！しんじられない！
(Muzui! Sugoku muzui! Sinjirarenai!)

Keiko

(Hard! Very hard! Unbelievable!)

A tip

Do you know why Japanese abbreviate words so often? One reason is to communicate faster, and the other reason is to write faster. Or, Japanese words are too long to begin with? That's an interesting question to ask people of Japan.

Let's learn Japanese!