difficulty
gb/dˈɪfɪkʌlti/ us/dˈɪfɪkʌlti/
B1
English
~ 800
nehézség, akadály
NOUN
B1
1
nehézség
B1
Usage pattern:
to have [difficulty] (in/with) [doing something]
She had difficulty understanding the instructions.
Nehézséget okozott neki az utasítások megértése.
We faced great difficulty finding a taxi late at night.
Nagy nehézséget jelentett számunkra késő este taxit találni.
Despite the difficulties, they managed to finish the project.
He spoke of his difficulties adjusting to the new culture.
The company is experiencing financial difficulties.
Learner examples
I have difficulty speaking English fast.
Nehézséget okoz nekem, hogy gyorsan beszéljek angolul.
She has difficulty with the test.
Nehézséget okoz neki a teszt.
They have difficulty finding the bus stop.
He has difficulty reading this book.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'in' or 'with' after 'difficulty' when talking about an activity, e.g., saying 'I have difficulty to understand' instead of 'I have difficulty understanding'.
Meaning
a hard or challenging situation
Collocations
face difficulty
|experience difficulty
|overcome difficulty
|have difficulty with
|in times of difficulty
Synonyms
problem (More general; can refer to any issue, not just one that is hard to overcome.)
|
challenge (Often suggests something difficult but possibly positive or motivating.)
Antonyms
ease (Describes the state of being easy or without difficulty.)
|
simplicity (Refers to being simple and uncomplicated.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A situation that is not easy to do or solve.
A state or condition in which something is hard to accomplish, deal with, or understand.
NOUN
B1
2
The project ran into unexpected technical difficulties.
A projekt során váratlan technikai nehézségek merültek fel.
They encountered many difficulties on their journey.
Számos nehézségbe ütköztek az útjuk során.
Legal difficulties delayed the launch of the product.
We overcame several difficulties before reaching our goal.
Learner examples
We had many difficulties on the trip.
Sok nehézségünk volt az utazás során.
He had legal difficulties last year.
Tavaly jogi nehézségei voltak.
They met some difficulties during the game.
Meaning
a problem that blocks progress
Collocations
technical difficulty
|serious difficulty
|legal difficulties
|encounter difficulties
Synonyms
obstacle (More formal; stresses something that stands in the way physically or figuratively.)
|
hindrance (Formal; emphasizes something that delays or prevents progress.)
Antonyms
advantage (Something that helps you succeed instead of holding you back.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that stops you or slows you down when you try to do something.
A specific problem or obstacle that makes it harder to achieve a goal.
NOUN
B2
3
nehézség
B1
The test's level of difficulty was higher than expected.
A teszt nehézségi szintje magasabb volt a vártnál.
We can adjust the game's difficulty settings.
Módosíthatjuk a játék nehézségi beállításait.
The main difficulty lies in understanding the theory.
Learner examples
The test has a high level of difficulty.
A tesztnek magas a nehézségi szintje.
We can change the game's difficulty.
Meg tudjuk változtatni a játék nehézségét.
The difficulty of this work is very high.
Meaning
the hardness of a task
Collocations
level of difficulty
|varying difficulty
|increasing difficulty
Synonyms
complexity (Emphasizes being complicated rather than simply hard.)
Antonyms
ease (Describes how easy something is instead of how difficult.)
Themes
education
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
How hard something is to do or understand.
The degree to which something is hard to accomplish or understand.
Grammar
Dictionary form
difficulty
IPA
GB/dˈɪfɪkʌlti/
US/dˈɪfɪkʌlti/
Syllables & stress
dif - fi - culty (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (dif)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: difficulty
- Plural: difficulties, difficulty
Word family
Expressions
have difficulty (in) doing something
1/hˈæv dˈɪfɪkʌlti ˈɪn dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
to find something hard to do
To find it hard to do something.
Examples
- I have difficulty remembering names.
- She has difficulty in walking after the injury.
in difficulty
1/ˈɪn dˈɪfɪkʌlti/
fixed phrase
in a problematic situation
In trouble or in a hard situation.
Examples
- Several swimmers were in difficulty and needed help.
- The company is in serious financial difficulty.
technical difficulties
1/tˈɛknɪkəl dˈɪfɪkʌltiz/
fixed phrase
Problems with equipment working properly
Problems with machines, computers, or other systems not working right.
Examples
- The live stream was interrupted due to technical difficulties.
- The show was delayed due to technical difficulties.
- We are experiencing technical difficulties with our phone lines.
- We are experiencing technical difficulties with our internet service.