difícil
/dee-FEE-seel/
difficult
This image shows a difficult task that requires great effort, representing the primary meaning of difícil: 'difficult' or 'hard'.
difícil(Adjective)
difficult
?requiring effort or skill
,hard
?not easy to do
tricky
?requiring care and skill
,tough
?a tough situation
📝 In Action
Este problema de matemáticas es muy difícil.
A1This math problem is very difficult.
Aprender un idioma nuevo puede ser difícil al principio.
A2Learning a new language can be hard at the beginning.
Fue una decisión difícil de tomar.
B1It was a difficult decision to make.
💡 Grammar Points
Same Form for Everyone and Everything
Good news! 'Difícil' doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. You say 'un libro difícil' (a difficult book) and 'una película difícil' (a difficult movie). The word stays the same.
How to Make it Plural
To talk about more than one difficult thing, the ending changes a bit. The 'z' at the end becomes a 'c' and you add '-es'. So, 'difícil' becomes 'difíciles'. Example: 'Los problemas son difíciles.'
Always Use 'ser' (to be)
When you're saying something is difficult, you'll almost always use the verb 'ser'. For example, 'La clase es difícil' (The class is difficult).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Plural Form Mix-up
Mistake: "Los examens son dificils."
Correction: Los exámenes son difíciles. Remember that words ending in 'z' change to 'c' before adding '-es' to become plural.
⭐ Usage Tips
Saying 'It's difficult for me'
To make it personal, you can say 'Es difícil para mí' (It's difficult for me) or, to sound more natural, 'Me resulta difícil' (I find it difficult).
When describing a person, difícil means they are 'difficult' or 'demanding' to deal with, often being fussy or hard to please.
difícil(Adjective)
difficult
?describing a person who is not easy to please or deal with
demanding
?expecting a lot of attention or effort
,fussy
?hard to please, picky
📝 In Action
Mi jefe es una persona muy difícil; nunca está contento con nuestro trabajo.
B1My boss is a very difficult person; he's never happy with our work.
No seas tan difícil y come la verdura.
A2Don't be so difficult and eat your vegetables.
Tiene un carácter un poco difícil, pero es un buen amigo.
B2He has a bit of a difficult personality, but he's a good friend.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Everything
When you hear 'difícil' describing a person, it's not about them being hard to understand, but hard to deal with. It implies they might be stubborn, demanding, or easily upset.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: difícil
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'difícil' and 'duro'?
Great question! 'Difícil' is about mental effort or complexity, like a 'problema difícil' (difficult problem). 'Duro' often means physically hard, like a rock, or can mean tough/harsh, like 'un trabajo duro' (hard work/labor) or 'un invierno duro' (a harsh winter). While they can sometimes overlap, think of 'difícil' for complexity and 'duro' for physical effort or harshness.
Why does the 'z' change to 'c' in the plural ('difíciles')?
This is a standard spelling rule in Spanish. To keep the right sound, a 'z' is never followed by an 'e' or 'i'. So, when we need to add '-es' to make it plural, the 'z' has to change to a 'c'. You'll see this with other words too, like 'lápiz' (pencil) which becomes 'lápices'.