Dictionary
English - Spanish
Difficult
ˈdɪfəkəlt
Extremely common
400 - 500
400 - 500
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
difícil, complicado, duro, pesado, arduo
Difficult meanings in Spanish
difícil
Example:
This math problem is difficult to solve.
Este problema de matemáticas es difícil de resolver.
Learning a new language can be difficult.
Aprender un nuevo idioma puede ser difícil.
Usage: formal/informalContext: General situations where something is hard or challenging
Note: This is the most common translation for 'difficult' in Spanish.
complicado
Example:
The situation is becoming more complicated.
La situación se está volviendo más complicada.
It's a complicated process to get a visa.
Es un proceso complicado obtener una visa.
Usage: formalContext: Referring to situations that involve complexity or difficulty
Note: Used interchangeably with 'difícil' but tends to emphasize complexity.
duro
Example:
Working in extreme weather conditions is hard.
Trabajar en condiciones climáticas extremas es duro.
The task requires a lot of effort; it's hard.
La tarea requiere mucho esfuerzo; es dura.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Describing something that is physically or mentally demanding
Note: Can also mean 'tough' or 'harsh' depending on the context.
pesado
Example:
Carrying heavy boxes is a difficult task.
Cargar cajas pesadas es una tarea difícil.
Dealing with his constant complaints is tough.
Lidiar con sus quejas constantes es pesado.
Usage: informalContext: Used colloquially to express a burden or annoyance
Note: In some regions, 'pesado' can also mean 'heavy' or 'annoying'.
arduo
Example:
Completing this project will require arduous effort.
Completar este proyecto requerirá un esfuerzo arduo.
The journey ahead will be long and arduous.
El viaje por delante será largo y arduo.
Usage: formalContext: Referring to tasks that are extremely demanding or strenuous
Note: Often used in formal or literary contexts to convey a high degree of difficulty.
Difficult's synonyms
challenging
Challenging implies that something requires effort and skill to overcome or accomplish.
Example: The final exam was quite challenging, but I managed to pass.
Note: Challenging may have a more positive connotation than difficult.
hard
Hard suggests that something requires a lot of effort or is not easy to do or achieve.
Example: Learning a new language can be hard, but with practice, it becomes easier.
Note: Hard is a more general term compared to difficult.
tough
Tough conveys a sense of severity or harshness in dealing with a situation.
Example: The negotiation process was tough, but we finally reached an agreement.
Note: Tough often implies a combination of difficulty and resilience needed to overcome challenges.
demanding
Demanding suggests that something requires a lot of effort, time, or attention.
Example: Her job is very demanding, requiring long hours and attention to detail.
Note: Demanding emphasizes the high level of effort or skill needed to accomplish a task.
arduous
Arduous describes something that is strenuous, difficult, and requires significant effort.
Example: The arduous journey through the mountains tested our endurance.
Note: Arduous implies a particularly challenging and laborious task.
Difficult expressions, common phrases
Up a creek without a paddle
This phrase means to be in a difficult or challenging situation without any means of help or assistance.
Example: I'm up a creek without a paddle trying to finish this project by tomorrow.
Note: This phrase emphasizes being in a helpless situation, whereas 'difficult' simply refers to something not easy.
Between a rock and a hard place
This idiom describes a situation where you have to make a difficult decision between two equally undesirable options.
Example: I'm between a rock and a hard place because I have to choose between my job and my family.
Note: While 'difficult' just means not easy, this phrase specifically refers to being in a tough dilemma.
Bite off more than one can chew
To take on a task that is way too big or difficult to manage.
Example: I bit off more than I could chew by taking on three projects at once.
Note: This idiom implies overestimating one's abilities or capacity, leading to difficulty, as opposed to just facing something challenging.
In hot water
To be in trouble or facing difficulties due to a mistake or misdeed.
Example: He's in hot water with his boss after missing the deadline.
Note: While 'difficult' generally refers to something not easy, this phrase specifically signifies being in trouble or facing consequences.
Hitting a brick wall
To reach a point where progress or success is hindered by an obstacle or difficulty.
Example: I've been hitting a brick wall trying to come up with a solution to this problem.
Note: This idiom highlights facing a persistent obstacle hindering progress, compared to the broader term 'difficult'.
Walking on thin ice
To be in a risky or precarious situation where a single wrong move could have serious consequences.
Example: She knows she's walking on thin ice with her strict teacher.
Note: This phrase conveys the idea of being in a risky position, similar to 'difficult' but with a heightened sense of danger.
The straw that breaks the camel's back
The final small burden or problem that causes a situation to become unbearable or collapses.
Example: The constant criticism was the straw that broke the camel's back, and he finally quit his job.
Note: This phrase emphasizes the cumulative effect of difficulties leading to a breaking point, different from the general term 'difficult'.
A hard nut to crack
Something that is very difficult to understand or solve.
Example: Learning a new language can be a hard nut to crack, but with practice, it becomes easier.
Note: This phrase specifically refers to a problem that is particularly challenging or complex compared to the broader term 'difficult'.
Difficult everyday (slang) expressions
Tough nut to crack
Refers to a situation or problem that is challenging or difficult to solve.
Example: This math problem is a tough nut to crack.
Note: The original word 'difficult' is replaced with 'tough nut to crack' to convey a greater degree of challenge or complexity.
Steep learning curve
Describes a situation where acquiring a new skill or knowledge is difficult and requires significant effort.
Example: Using this new software has quite a steep learning curve.
Note: The term focuses on the difficulty associated with the initial learning process, highlighting a swift rise in complexity.
Mind-boggling
Expresses that something is extremely confusing or difficult to understand.
Example: The instructions for this game are truly mind-boggling.
Note: The slang term emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the difficulty, often causing bewilderment or astonishment.
Rough going
Indicates a period of hardship or difficulty in progressing through a task or situation.
Example: It's been rough going trying to finish this project on time.
Note: This phrase evokes a sense of struggle and challenges faced throughout the process, emphasizing continual difficulty.
A tough cookie
Refers to a person who is strong-willed, resilient, or difficult to deal with.
Example: Dealing with that client is always a tough cookie.
Note: Although not directly describing a situation or problem, this slang term is often used to signify a challenging individual.
No picnic
Conveys that a situation or task is not easy and involves considerable effort and difficulty.
Example: Preparing for this exam is definitely no picnic.
Note: The slang term 'no picnic' emphasizes the lack of ease or enjoyment in dealing with a challenging situation.
Heavy lifting
Refers to the most difficult or demanding part of a task that requires a lot of effort.
Example: Doing the heavy lifting in this project is going to be tough.
Note: In this context, 'heavy lifting' signifies the most challenging aspect of a task that requires significant exertion and energy.
Difficult - Examples
Difficult situations require creative solutions.
Las situaciones difíciles requieren soluciones creativas.
This math problem is too difficult for me to solve.
Este problema de matemáticas es demasiado difícil para que yo lo resuelva.
Dealing with difficult people can be a real challenge.
Tratar con personas difíciles puede ser un verdadero desafío.
Difficult grammar
Difficult - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: difficult
Conjugations
Adjective (Adjective): difficult
Syllables, Separation and Stress
difficult Contains 3 syllables: dif • fi • cult
Phonetic transcription: ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəlt
dif fi cult , ˈdi fi (ˌ)kəlt (The red syllable is stressed)
Difficult - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
difficult: 400 - 500 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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