Inklingo

How to Say "grueling" in Spanish

English → Spanish

agotador

/ah-go-tah-DOR//a.ɣo.ta.ˈðoɾ/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'agotador' when the primary focus is extreme physical or mental tiredness caused by an activity.
A hiker slumped over a large rock on a trail, looking very tired.

Examples

El viaje en bicicleta de montaña fue agotador, pero las vistas valieron la pena.

The mountain bike trip was exhausting, but the views were worth it.

Correr un maratón es agotador.

Running a marathon is exhausting.

Tuve un día agotador en la oficina.

I had a tiring day at the office.

El ritmo de vida en la ciudad puede ser agotador.

The pace of life in the city can be grueling.

Describing things, not people

This word describes activities or situations that CAUSE tiredness. To say a person IS tired, use 'agotado' instead.

Using with 'Ser'

Use the word with 'ser' (to be) because being exhausting is usually a lasting quality of the activity you are talking about.

Confusing 'Agotador' with 'Agotado'

Mistake: “Estoy muy agotador.”

Correction: Estoy muy agotado. Use 'agotador' for the job and 'agotado' for how you feel.

inhumano

/een-oo-MAH-noh//in.uˈma.no/

adjectiveB2general
Opt for 'inhumano' when the grueling nature of something is so extreme it feels beyond normal human endurance or is excessively harsh, often implying unfairness.
A person struggling to walk through a very deep snowstorm with heavy wind.

Examples

Tener que trabajar 14 horas al día bajo este calor es inhumano.

Having to work 14 hours a day in this heat is unbearable.

Trabajar bajo este sol es inhumano.

Working under this sun is unbearable.

El atleta hizo un esfuerzo inhumano para terminar la carrera.

The athlete made a superhuman effort to finish the race.

Hace un frío inhumano en la cima de la montaña.

The cold is unbearable at the top of the mountain.

Describing Conditions

When describing weather or tasks, this word acts as an intensifier, meaning 'much more than a normal person can handle.'

Agotador vs. Inhumano

Learners often confuse 'agotador' and 'inhumano' because both describe intense difficulty. Remember that 'agotador' focuses on the *effect* of exhaustion, while 'inhumano' emphasizes the *extreme and often unfair harshness* of the situation itself.

Related Translations

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