Inklingo

How to Say "laborious" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “laborious” is “costoso” — use this translation when the 'laborious' task requires a significant investment of time and energy, implying it's not just hard but also costly in terms of resources..

English → Spanish

costoso

/kos-TO-so//kosˈtoso/

adjectiveB2general
Use this translation when the 'laborious' task requires a significant investment of time and energy, implying it's not just hard but also costly in terms of resources.
A person pushing a massive, heavy boulder up a steep green hill.

Examples

Fue un proceso costoso y largo.

It was a costly and long process.

Aprender un nuevo idioma es un camino costoso pero gratificante.

Learning a new language is a difficult but rewarding path.

La recuperación después de la cirugía fue lenta y costosa.

The recovery after the surgery was slow and arduous.

Abstract Use

When used this way, 'costoso' refers to the 'price' you pay in terms of energy, time, or sweat rather than dollars and cents.

penoso

/peh-NOH-soh//peˈnoso/

adjectiveC1general
Choose this word when the task is not only difficult but also tedious and takes a very long time, often implying a sense of suffering or hardship.
A person pushing a very large, heavy boulder up a steep green hill.

Examples

Después de un penoso trabajo de diez horas, terminamos el proyecto.

After ten hours of strenuous work, we finished the project.

El ascenso a la cumbre fue largo y penoso.

The climb to the summit was long and arduous.

Tuvieron que realizar una penosa marcha por el desierto.

They had to undertake a laborious march through the desert.

Word Order for Emphasis

Placing 'penoso' before the noun (e.g., 'un penoso trabajo') emphasizes the difficulty and the feeling of the effort involved.

entretenido

/en-tre-te-NEE-do//entɾeteˈniðo/

adjectiveB2general
Use this translation for work that is 'laborious' due to its complexity and the high level of detail required, often implying it's engrossing or time-consuming because of its intricate nature.
A person carefully building a large, complex model ship out of many small pieces.

Examples

Pintar estas miniaturas es un trabajo muy entretenido.

Painting these miniatures is a very time-consuming job.

Perdona, estaba entretenido con el correo y no te oí.

Sorry, I was busy with the mail and didn't hear you.

Esta receta es entretenida de hacer, pero está deliciosa.

This recipe takes a lot of work to make, but it's delicious.

The 'Taking Time' Meaning

When 'entretenido' describes a task (like cooking or cleaning), it doesn't always mean it's 'fun'; it often means it requires patience and takes time.

Don't assume it's always positive

Mistake: “Asking '¿Es entretenido?' about a boring but long chore.”

Correction: Only use it for chores if you want to emphasize that they require attention or keep you busy.

Choosing between 'costoso' and 'penoso'

Learners often confuse 'costoso' and 'penoso' because both imply difficulty and time. Remember that 'costoso' focuses more on the overall resource investment (time, energy, money), while 'penoso' emphasizes the sheer difficulty and often tedious nature of a prolonged effort.

Related Translations

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