Dictionary
English - Norwegian
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.
vanskelig, tøff, hard, komplisert
Difficult meanings in Norwegian
vanskelig
Example:
This math problem is difficult.
Dette matteproblemet er vanskelig.
It's difficult to understand her accent.
Det er vanskelig å forstå aksenten hennes.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in both academic and everyday situations to describe tasks or concepts that require effort or skill to understand or accomplish.
Note: Commonly used in both spoken and written Norwegian.
tøff
Example:
He is going through a difficult time.
Han går gjennom en tøff tid.
The competition was really difficult.
Konkurransen var virkelig tøff.
Usage: informalContext: Often used in casual conversations to describe emotional or situational challenges.
Note: This term can also imply a sense of toughness or roughness.
hard
Example:
Learning a new language can be difficult.
Å lære et nytt språk kan være hardt.
She faced a difficult decision.
Hun stod overfor en hard beslutning.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used to describe challenges that require significant effort or strength, both physically and mentally.
Note: This word can also mean 'hard' in a physical sense.
komplisert
Example:
The instructions are difficult to follow.
Instruksjonene er kompliserte å følge.
It's a difficult situation with many complications.
Det er en vanskelig situasjon med mange komplikasjoner.
Usage: formalContext: Used in technical or formal contexts to describe something that is complex or intricate.
Note: Often used in academic or professional settings.
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.
Vanskelige situasjoner krever kreative løsninger.
This math problem is too difficult for me to solve.
Dette matematikkproblemet er for vanskelig for meg å løse.
Dealing with difficult people can be a real challenge.
Å håndtere vanskelige mennesker kan være en reell utfordring.
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.
...