Inklingo

How to Say "difficult" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “difficult” is “difícil” — use 'difícil' for general difficulty concerning tasks, problems, or abstract concepts that require effort..

English → Spanish

difícil

dee-FEE-seel (Remember the stress is on the second 'i'!)/diˈfi.sil/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'difícil' for general difficulty concerning tasks, problems, or abstract concepts that require effort.
A small, determined storybook character stands before a gigantic, rugged, and impossibly steep mountain face, symbolizing a difficult task.

Examples

Aprender español no es difícil, pero requiere práctica.

Learning Spanish is not difficult, but it requires practice.

Resolver este problema de matemáticas fue muy difícil.

Solving this math problem was very hard.

Tuvieron un viaje difícil debido a la tormenta.

They had a difficult trip because of the storm.

Agreement in Number

Since 'difícil' is an adjective, it must match the thing it describes. For a plural noun, add '-es': 'las cosas difíciles' (the difficult things).

Forgetting Plural Agreement

Mistake: “Los exámenes es difícil.”

Correction: Los exámenes son difíciles. (The exams are difficult.) Remember to add -es for plural nouns.

complicado

/kom-pli-KAH-doh//kompliˈkaðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'complicado' when something is complex, intricate, or involves multiple steps, often implying a higher level of difficulty.
A tightly tangled ball of brightly colored yarn, knotted so densely that it is impossible to find any loose ends.

Examples

Este problema de matemáticas es muy complicado.

This math problem is very complicated.

La instalación del programa fue más complicada de lo que pensaba.

The program installation was more complicated than I thought.

Agreement Rule

As an adjective, 'complicado' must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'un problema complicado' (masculine singular), 'una tarea complicada' (feminine singular), 'los pasos complicados' (masculine plural).

Forgetting the Feminine Form

Mistake: “La situación es complicado.”

Correction: La situación es complicada. (The noun 'situación' is feminine, so the adjective must end in -a.)

duro

/DOO-roh//ˈdu.ɾo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'duro' to describe a task or situation that is tough, demanding, or requires significant physical or mental endurance.
A cartoon hammer bouncing harmlessly off a large, perfectly smooth gray stone, illustrating physical hardness.

Examples

Esta piedra es muy dura.

This stone is very hard.

El pan de ayer está duro.

Yesterday's bread is stale.

Ha sido un año muy duro para nosotros.

It has been a very difficult year for us.

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').

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.

difíciles

/dee-FEE-see-less//diˈfiθiles/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'difíciles' as the plural form of 'difícil' to describe multiple things or situations that are challenging.
Three brightly colored, complexly shaped puzzle pieces scattered on a flat surface. They clearly do not fit together, symbolizing multiple difficult tasks or problems.

Examples

Los exámenes de historia siempre son muy difíciles.

History exams are always very difficult.

Estas decisiones son difíciles de tomar, pero necesarias.

These decisions are hard to make, but necessary.

Hemos superado momentos difíciles en el pasado.

We have overcome difficult moments in the past.

Plural Form

This word is the plural form of the adjective 'difícil'. It is used to describe two or more things or people that are hard or complex.

Agreement is Key

Like all Spanish adjectives, 'difíciles' must match the noun it describes in number. If you are talking about 'one difficult test' (un examen difícil), you drop the '-es'.

The Accent Mark

Notice the accent mark on the 'i' (difíciles). This ensures the stress falls on the correct syllable. Don't leave it out!

Forgetting Plural Agreement

Mistake: “Los temas es difícil.”

Correction: Los temas son difíciles. (The topics are difficult.) Remember the adjective and the verb must agree with the plural subject.

Misplacing the Accent

Mistake: “dificiles”

Correction: difíciles. The accent is necessary for correct pronunciation.

incómoda

een-KOH-moh-dah/inˈkomoda/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'incómoda' to describe a situation that is awkward, uncomfortable, or socially tricky, rather than inherently challenging.
Two people standing far apart at a party, looking at the floor and not talking.

Examples

Hubo un largo silencio y una situación incómoda.

There was a long silence and an awkward situation.

Hubo un silencio largo y una situación incómoda.

There was a long silence and an awkward situation.

Me hizo una pregunta muy incómoda.

He asked me a very awkward/uncomfortable question.

Describing Feelings vs. Situations

You can use this word to describe how you feel ('Estoy incómoda') or to describe the situation itself ('La situación es incómoda').

Difícil vs. Complicado

Learners often confuse 'difícil' and 'complicado'. Remember that 'difícil' is a general term for challenging, while 'complicado' specifically implies complexity or intricacy. A complex problem is often difficult, but not all difficult things are necessarily complicated.

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