misfortune

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 厄 means misfortune or calamity; its on-reading is やく.
• Basic usage: 厄介 describes something troublesome or difficult to handle; 厄年 refers to a year traditionally regarded as unlucky.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Everyday trouble
  • 厄介な問題 means a difficult problem to deal with. The word also applies to everyday annoyances such as a stubborn stain.
• Readings
  • 厄介 is read やっかい, and 厄年 is read やくどし.