지난해요 · 지난했어요 · 지난한 (+noun)
extremely difficult, arduous
Example
협상은 지난한 과정을 거쳐 마침내 타결되었습니다.
After an arduous process, the negotiations were finally concluded.
Word parts
지 utmost+난 difficult
Literally 'utmost difficulty'.
Good to know
Unrelated to 지난 'last, past' (지난주); it is formal and mostly written.
Related words