duro
“duro” means “hard” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
hard, tough
Also: difficult, harsh, stale
📝 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.
hard
Also: intensely, strongly
📝 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.
duro
📝 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).
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: duro
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence is correct? 'La prueba fue muy ___ , así que estudié ___ .'
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'dūrus', which also meant 'hard', 'harsh', or 'stern'. It's a very old word that has kept its core meaning for thousands of years.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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').