How to Say ‘Tough time’ in Japanese
大変なとき
taihen na toki
[tie-hen nah toh-kee]
💬 Usage Tip: [な] is used because [大変] behaves like a “na-adjective.” So: [大変なとき].
🇯🇵 In Japan: Sharing how you handled [大変なとき] shows resilience—important in care workplaces with shift work.
Phrase Breakdown
大変
taihen
[tie-hen]
tough; difficult
Describes something as difficult; in 大変なとき = “when it’s difficult.”
大変なときでも落ち着いて対応します。
Even when it’s tough, I respond calmly.
な
na
[nah]
(adjectival modifier)
Turns a な-adjective into a modifier before a noun: 大変な + とき.
大変なときは無理をしません。
When it’s tough, I don’t overdo it.
とき
toki
[toh-kee]
time; when
Noun meaning “time/when,” used to describe situations.
大変なときに助け合う職場が理想です。
An ideal workplace is one where we help each other when things are tough.
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