duro
/DOO-roh/
hard
As an adjective, duro means physically 'hard' or 'firm,' like a stone that is resilient to force.
duro(Adjective)
hard
?physically solid or firm
,tough
?strong, resilient
difficult
?a hard task or situation
,harsh
?a person's character, a climate, or a punishment
,stale
?referring to bread
📝 In Action
Esta piedra es muy dura.
A1This stone is very hard.
El pan de ayer está duro.
A2Yesterday's bread is stale.
Ha sido un año muy duro para nosotros.
B1It has been a very difficult year for us.
Mi jefe es un hombre duro pero justo.
B1My boss is a harsh but fair man.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
As an adjective, 'duro' changes to match the thing it describes. Use 'dura' for feminine things ('la cama dura'), 'duros' for plural masculine ('los panes duros'), and 'duras' for plural feminine ('las pruebas duras').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing with 'Difícil'
Mistake: "'Duro' can mean 'difficult', but 'difícil' is often a better choice for abstract challenges like exams or problems."
Correction: Use 'un examen difícil' (a difficult exam) instead of 'un examen duro'. 'Duro' implies more of a struggle or hardship.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing People
When you call a person 'duro' or 'dura', it means they are tough, strict, or not very emotional. It can be a compliment (resilient) or a criticism (harsh).
When used as an adverb, duro means 'hard' or 'intensely,' describing the effort put into an action, such as working hard (trabajar duro).
duro(Adverb)
hard
?describing how an action is done
intensely
?with great effort
,strongly
?with force
📝 In Action
Tenemos que trabajar duro para terminar a tiempo.
A2We have to work hard to finish on time.
Estudió muy duro para el examen.
A2He/She studied very hard for the exam.
El sol pega duro hoy.
B1The sun is hitting hard today.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Stays the Same
When 'duro' describes how an action is done (like in 'trabajar duro'), it's an adverb. This means it NEVER changes. It's always 'duro', never 'dura' or 'duros'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Making it Match
Mistake: "Mi hermana trabaja dura."
Correction: Say 'Mi hermana trabaja duro.' Because 'duro' here describes *how* she works, not her as a person, it doesn't change.
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement is Key
This 'duro' almost always comes right after the action word (the verb). Think of 'verb + duro' as a set phrase: trabajar duro, estudiar duro, etc.
As an informal noun (now historical), a duro referred to a Spanish coin worth five pesetas, often used in older expressions for 'money.'
📝 In Action
En mis tiempos, un café costaba veinte duros.
B2In my day, a coffee cost twenty duros.
No tengo ni un duro.
B2I don't have a single penny (literally, a single duro).
⭐ Usage Tips
A Window to the Past
You'll hear this in old Spanish movies or from grandparents. It refers to a coin used before the Euro. 'No tener ni un duro' is an expression that's still used to mean 'to be broke'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: duro
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence is correct? 'La prueba fue muy ___ , así que estudié ___ .'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'trabajar duro' and 'trabajar mucho'?
They are very similar! 'Trabajar duro' emphasizes the effort and intensity of the work. 'Trabajar mucho' emphasizes the quantity or hours of work. Often, you can use either one.
Can I say 'duramente' instead of 'duro' as an adverb?
Yes, you can say 'trabajar duramente', but it's much less common and sounds more formal or literary. For everyday conversation, 'trabajar duro' is the natural choice.
When should I use 'duro' vs 'difícil' for 'difficult'?
Think of 'difícil' for intellectual or complex challenges ('a difficult problem'). Think of 'duro' for challenges that involve physical or emotional hardship and endurance ('a difficult year', 'a hard life').