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困難であった

was difficult

→ 困難だ
phrase Rare #39,858
was difficult A formal or literary way to say 困難だった, meaning “was difficult.” It can also be translated as “had difficulty” when describing difficulty doing something.
JA: 新しい環境に慣れるのは困難であった。
EN: It was difficult to get used to the new environment.

彼は呼吸するのが困難であった。

He had difficulty breathing.

その当時旅は現在よりもはるかに困難であった。

Travel was far more difficult then than it is now.

その計画を実行することは困難であった。

It was difficult to carry out that plan.

小額の年金で生活するのは彼には困難であった。

It was difficult for him to live on his small pension.