それは難しい質問ですね (sorewa muzukashī shitsumon desu ne) means “That’s a tough question” or “That’s a difficult question, isn’t it.” It’s a natural, polite way to buy yourself a moment to think — or to acknowledge that something genuinely doesn’t have an easy answer. This phrase is used in conversations, interviews, and discussions alike.
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| それは難しい質問ですね | それはむずかしいしつもんですね | That’s a tough question, isn’t it. |
| 難しい質問だね | むずかしいしつもんだね | That’s a tough question. (casual) |
| いい質問ですね | いいしつもんですね | That’s a good question. (common in class/presentations) |
Breaking Down the Phrase
Let’s look at each component:
- それは (sore wa) — “As for that / That” — pointing to the question just asked
- 難しい (muzukashii) — difficult, hard
- 質問 (shitsumon) — question
- ですね (desu ne) — is, isn’t it (polite + seeking gentle agreement)
The ね at the end softens the statement and invites the listener to agree. It doesn’t mean you’re refusing to answer — just acknowledging that the question requires thought.
When to Use This Phrase
This phrase is useful in many situations:
- When you need time to think: それは難しい質問ですね… ちょっと考えてみます。— That’s a tough question… let me think about it.
- When the question is genuinely complex: それは難しい質問ですね。答えが一つじゃないと思います。— That’s a difficult question. I don’t think there’s just one answer.
- In casual conversation: え、難しい質問だね。どっちがいいか迷う。— Hmm, that’s a tough one. I can’t decide which is better.
- In interviews or discussions: それは非常に難しい質問ですね。— That is a very difficult question.
Related Phrases for Handling Questions
| Situation | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledging difficulty | それは難しい質問ですね | That’s a tough question |
| Praising a good question | いい質問ですね | That’s a great question |
| Saying you’re not sure | ちょっとわかりません | I’m not quite sure |
| Asking for time to think | 少し考えてもいいですか | May I take a moment to think? |
| Admitting you don’t know | わかりません / 知りません | I don’t know / I don’t know about that |
Natural Conversations
人生で一番大切なことって何だと思う？— What do you think is the most important thing in life?
それは難しい質問ですね…。家族かな、でも健康も大事だし。— That’s a tough question… maybe family, but health is important too.
日本語と英語、どっちが難しい？— Which is harder, Japanese or English?
難しい質問だね！どっちも大変だよ。— That’s a tough question! Both are difficult.
Common Mistakes
Tip: Don’t overuse それは難しい質問ですね for simple questions — it will sound evasive. Save it for genuinely complex or philosophical questions where a moment of reflection is natural and expected.
Note: いい質問ですね (That’s a good question) is commonly heard in Japanese classrooms and presentations, but in everyday conversation it can sometimes sound patronizing. Use it carefully.
Quick Quiz
How would you say these in Japanese?
1. “That’s a really tough question. Let me think.” (本当に / 考えてみます)
2. “That’s a good question.” (casual, to a friend)
Answers: 1. それは本当に難しい質問ですね。少し考えてみます。 2. いい質問だね。/ 難しい質問だね。
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