trouble

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 困 is associated with trouble or difficulty; its on-reading is こん and its kun-reading is こまる.
• Basic usage: 困る(こまる) is a verb meaning to be troubled or at a loss, while 困難(こんなん) expresses difficulty or a state of being hard to do.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Experiencing trouble and describing a difficult task
  • Saying 困る when someone unexpectedly takes time off on a busy day focuses on the person left struggling to manage the work.
  • 計画の続行が困難になった means that continuing the plan became difficult.