Definition
难堪 has two meanings. As 'embarrassed/awkward', it describes a stronger, more painful feeling than 尴尬 (gān gà), often from being put in a humiliating position. As 'unbearable', it is more formal and literary than 受不了 (shòu bu liǎo) or 难受 (nán shòu), used for situations that are hard to endure.
embarrassedawkwardhard to bearunbearable
Easily confused
- 难看nán kànsound-alikeugly, unsightly (of appearance)
Examples
- 难堪。Tā shuō de huà ràng wǒ gǎndào hěn nán kān.What he said made me feel very embarrassed.
- 难堪。Zhè zhǒng nán kān de júmiàn zhōngyú jiéshù le.This awkward situation finally ended.
- ，难堪。Liánxù jiābān sān tiān, shēntǐ shízài nán kān.Working overtime three days in a row, my body really couldn't take it.
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