dureza
“dureza” means “hardness” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
hardness
Also: firmness
📝 In Action
La dureza del diamante lo hace muy valioso.
A2The hardness of the diamond makes it very valuable.
Comprobó la dureza del colchón antes de comprarlo.
B1He checked the firmness of the mattress before buying it.
La dureza del agua depende de los minerales que tiene.
B2Water hardness depends on the minerals it contains.
harshness, toughness
Also: severity, hardship
📝 In Action
Me sorprendió la dureza de sus palabras.
B1I was surprised by the harshness of her words.
Los soldados soportaron la dureza del invierno.
B2The soldiers endured the severity of the winter.
La dureza de la vida en la montaña es increíble.
B2The hardship of mountain life is incredible.
callus
Also: hard skin
📝 In Action
Tengo una dureza en el talón por culpa de estos zapatos.
B2I have a callus on my heel because of these shoes.
Existen cremas para quitar las durezas de los pies.
C1There are creams to remove hard skin from the feet.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "dureza" in Spanish:
callus→firmness→hard skin→hardness→hardship→harshness→severity→toughness→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: dureza
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence refers to a medical/skin condition?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'durities,' which comes from 'durus' (hard). It shares the same root as the English word 'durable'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'dureza' masculine or feminine?
It is always feminine: 'la dureza'. Even if you are talking about a man's harsh character, the word remains feminine.
Can I use 'dureza' to mean 'difficult'?
Not directly as an adjective. You can say 'la dureza del examen' (the difficulty/harshness of the exam), but for the adjective 'difficult', you should use 'difícil' or 'duro'.
What is the difference between 'dureza' and 'callo'?
They are very similar. 'Dureza' is often used for larger areas of dry, hard skin, while 'callo' often refers to a specific, painful point (a corn).