Dictionary
English - Portuguese (Br)
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.
difficile, compliqué, ardue, pénible
Difficult meanings in Portuguese
difficile
Example:
This math problem is difficult.
Ce problème de mathématiques est difficile.
Learning a new language can be difficult.
Apprendre une nouvelle langue peut être difficile.
Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used to describe tasks, subjects, or situations that require significant effort or skill.
Note: Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It can refer to physical, mental, or emotional challenges.
compliqué
Example:
The rules of the game are complicated.
Les règles du jeu sont compliquées.
It's a complicated issue that needs careful consideration.
C'est une question compliquée qui nécessite une attention particulière.
Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Often used to describe complex situations or tasks that are hard to understand or navigate.
Note: While 'difficile' refers more to the level of effort required, 'compliqué' emphasizes complexity and intricacy.
ardue
Example:
The task was arduous and took all day.
La tâche était ardue et a pris toute la journée.
Climbing the mountain was an arduous journey.
Grimper la montagne était un voyage ardu.
Usage: FormalContext: Used to describe tasks or journeys that are not only difficult but also exhausting.
Note: Typically found in literary or formal contexts. It implies a high level of physical or mental strain.
pénible
Example:
Dealing with complaints can be painful.
Gérer les plaintes peut être pénible.
The process was tedious and difficult.
Le processus était pénible et difficile.
Usage: InformalContext: Used to describe a situation or task that is difficult and causes annoyance or discomfort.
Note: Often has a negative connotation, suggesting that the difficulty is frustrating or tiresome.
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.
Les situations difficiles nécessitent des solutions créatives.
This math problem is too difficult for me to solve.
Ce problème de mathématiques est trop difficile pour que je puisse le résoudre.
Dealing with difficult people can be a real challenge.
Faire face à des personnes difficiles peut être un véritable défi.
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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