Dictionary
English - Indonesian

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.

sulit, keras, berat, rumit

Difficult meanings in Indonesian

sulit

Example:
This math problem is very difficult.
Masalah matematika ini sangat sulit.
Learning a new language can be difficult at first.
Belajar bahasa baru bisa sulit pada awalnya.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in academic or everyday conversations when discussing challenges.
Note: The word 'sulit' is commonly used to describe tasks, problems, or situations that require significant effort or skill.

keras

Example:
The training was difficult and exhausting.
Pelatihan itu keras dan melelahkan.
He faced difficult challenges in his job.
Dia menghadapi tantangan yang keras dalam pekerjaannya.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used to describe situations that are tough or demanding, often in a physical or emotional sense.
Note: The word 'keras' can also imply harshness or severity in situations or tasks.

berat

Example:
The workload is difficult to manage.
Beban kerja itu berat untuk dikelola.
She has a difficult decision to make.
Dia memiliki keputusan yang berat untuk dibuat.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in contexts where there is a sense of burden or significant weight to a task or decision.
Note: 'Berat' can imply emotional weight, such as making tough choices or dealing with significant responsibilities.

rumit

Example:
The instructions were difficult to follow.
Instruksi itu rumit untuk diikuti.
His explanation was difficult to understand.
Penjelasannya rumit untuk dipahami.
Usage: formalContext: Typically used in technical or complex situations where clarity is lacking.
Note: 'Rumit' emphasizes complexity, often in a way that makes understanding or execution challenging.

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.
Situasi yang sulit memerlukan solusi yang kreatif.
This math problem is too difficult for me to solve.
Masalah matematika ini terlalu sulit bagi saya untuk diselesaikan.
Dealing with difficult people can be a real challenge.
Menghadapi orang-orang yang sulit bisa menjadi tantangan yang nyata.

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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