Inklingo

How to Say "tough" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “tough” is “difícil” — use 'difícil' when referring to something that requires significant effort or is hard to do, like a challenging task or learning a new skill.

difícil🔊A1

Use 'difícil' when referring to something that requires significant effort or is hard to do, like a challenging task or learning a new skill.

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duro🔊A1

Use 'duro' to describe physical strength, resilience, or a hard texture, like a tough material or a strong person.

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fuerte🔊A1

Employ 'fuerte' to describe something that is strong, durable, and can withstand force or pressure, often referring to physical condition or sturdy objects.

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resistente🔊A2

Use 'resistente' for materials or objects that are capable of withstanding wear, damage, or pressure over time.

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exigente🔊B1

Choose 'exigente' when describing a person, like a teacher or boss, who demands a lot of effort, attention, or adherence to strict rules.

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guapo🔊B1

Use 'guapo' informally to describe someone as brave, daring, or resilient in the face of danger or adversity.

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macho🔊B1

Use 'macho' to describe something, often an object or material, as sturdy, robust, and capable of withstanding significant stress or weight.

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conflictivo🔊B1

Use 'conflictivo' to describe a person or a place that is prone to causing trouble, arguments, or problems.

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rudo🔊B2

Employ 'rudo' to describe someone who is physically strong, rough in manner, or resilient, often associated with a rugged or aggressive style.

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jodido🔊B2

Use 'jodido' informally to describe a situation, task, or even a person as extremely difficult, problematic, or unpleasant.

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cabrón🔊C1

Use 'cabrón' informally and often vulgarly to describe a situation or task that is exceptionally difficult or challenging.

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English → Spanish
adjectiveA1
Use 'difícil' when referring to something that requires significant effort or is hard to do, like a challenging task or learning a new skill.

Examples

Aprender español no es difícil, pero requiere práctica.

Learning Spanish is not difficult, but it requires practice.

duro

DOO-rohˈdu.ɾo

adjectiveA1
Use 'duro' to describe physical strength, resilience, or a hard texture, like a tough material or a strong person.
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.

fuerte

FWEHR-tessˈfweɾtes

adjectiveA1
Employ 'fuerte' to describe something that is strong, durable, and can withstand force or pressure, often referring to physical condition or sturdy objects.
A smiling brown bear easily lifting a massive gray boulder above its head, demonstrating physical strength.

Examples

Mis piernas están muy fuertes después de correr la maratón.

My legs are very strong after running the marathon.

Necesitamos cables más fuertes para levantar esa carga.

We need stronger cables to lift that load.

Ellos son atletas muy fuertes y dedicados.

They are very strong and dedicated athletes.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'fuertes' is an adjective, it must agree with the noun it describes. Because it ends in '-es', it is always plural. The singular form is 'fuerte'.

resistente

rreh-sees-TEHN-tehresisˈtente

adjectiveA2
Use 'resistente' for materials or objects that are capable of withstanding wear, damage, or pressure over time.
A thick, sturdy leather boot stepping on sharp rocks without any damage.

Examples

Este juguete es de plástico muy resistente.

This toy is made of very strong plastic.

Necesito unos pantalones resistentes para trabajar en el jardín.

I need some tough pants for working in the garden.

El cristal de mi móvil es resistente a los golpes.

My phone's glass is shock-resistant.

One Form for Everyone

Unlike many Spanish words, 'resistente' doesn't change based on gender. You use it for both masculine words like 'el muro' (the wall) and feminine words like 'la mesa' (the table).

Positioning

In most cases, place 'resistente' right after the thing you are describing to sound most natural.

The 'A' Mistake

Mistake: “La tela es resistenta.”

Correction: La tela es resistente. Even though 'tela' is feminine, words ending in -e like 'resistente' don't change to an -a.

exigente

ek-see-HEN-teeksiˈxente

adjectiveB1
Choose 'exigente' when describing a person, like a teacher or boss, who demands a lot of effort, attention, or adherence to strict rules.
A stern teacher in a classroom carefully inspecting a student's work with a magnifying glass.

Examples

Mi profesor de matemáticas es muy exigente con la tarea.

My math teacher is very demanding with the homework.

Ser un atleta profesional es una carrera muy exigente.

Being a professional athlete is a very demanding career.

No seas tan exigente contigo mismo; lo hiciste bien.

Don't be so tough on yourself; you did well.

One Form for All

This word is 'gender-neutral.' It ends in -e, so it stays exactly the same whether you are describing a man (un hombre exigente) or a woman (una mujer exigente).

Using 'Con'

When you want to say who or what someone is demanding towards, use the word 'con' (with). For example: 'Soy exigente con mi perro' (I am demanding with my dog).

The 'O' Trap

Mistake: “El jefe es exigento.”

Correction: El jefe es exigente. Even though 'jefe' is masculine, the adjective 'exigente' never ends in 'o'.

Confusing with 'Demandante'

Mistake: “Es una persona muy demandante.”

Correction: Es una persona muy exigente. While 'demandante' exists, it usually refers to a 'plaintiff' in a lawsuit. Use 'exigente' for personality.

guapo

gwah-pohˈɡwapo

adjectiveB1informal
Use 'guapo' informally to describe someone as brave, daring, or resilient in the face of danger or adversity.
A colorful illustration of a small dog showing bravery by successfully leaping over a large puddle on a path.

Examples

Ese torero es muy guapo, no tiene miedo a nada.

That bullfighter is very brave; he isn't afraid of anything.

No te metas con él, es un guapo del barrio.

Don't mess with him, he's a tough guy in the neighborhood.

Context is Key

When 'guapo' is used to describe character (brave/tough), it often appears in contexts related to conflict, challenges, or physical danger. Listen closely to the situation.

macho

MAH-chohˈmatʃo

adjectiveB1informal
Use 'macho' to describe something, often an object or material, as sturdy, robust, and capable of withstanding significant stress or weight.
A large, sturdy oak tree with thick roots holding firm against a strong wind.

Examples

Ese tornillo es más macho, aguantará más peso.

That screw is tougher, it will hold more weight.

Fue muy macho al enfrentarse solo al problema.

He was very brave/tough in facing the problem alone.

conflictivo

con-fleek-TEE-bokoɱfliɣˈtiβo

adjectiveB1
Use 'conflictivo' to describe a person or a place that is prone to causing trouble, arguments, or problems.
A grumpy child with crossed arms standing in a messy room with toys scattered everywhere.

Examples

No quiero trabajar con él porque es un empleado muy conflictivo.

I don't want to work with him because he is a very troublesome employee.

Ese es un barrio conflictivo por la noche.

That is a tough/problematic neighborhood at night.

La reforma de la ley es un tema conflictivo en el parlamento.

The law reform is a contentious issue in parliament.

Gender and Number Agreement

This word changes its ending to match what you are describing: 'un hombre conflictivo' (one man), 'una mujer conflictiva' (one woman), 'unos niños conflictivos' (boys), 'unas zonas conflictivas' (areas).

Using 'Ser' vs 'Estar'

We almost always use this word with 'ser' (to be) because it describes a person's character or the nature of a place, which are seen as lasting qualities.

Conflicting vs. Conflicted

Mistake: “Estoy muy conflictivo sobre qué decisión tomar.”

Correction: Estoy muy confundido (or 'tengo un dilema'). 'Conflictivo' means YOU are the one causing the trouble, not that you feel unsure.

rudo

ROO-dohˈru.ðo

adjectiveB2
Employ 'rudo' to describe someone who is physically strong, rough in manner, or resilient, often associated with a rugged or aggressive style.
A simple, cartoonishly muscular person standing firmly, effortlessly carrying a massive, thick wooden log across their shoulders, showcasing physical strength.

Examples

El boxeador es conocido por su estilo rudo y agresivo.

The boxer is known for his tough and aggressive style.

Fue un camino rudo, pero finalmente llegamos a la cima.

It was a rugged path, but we finally reached the top.

Mi abuelo era un hombre rudo de campo, acostumbrado al trabajo pesado.

My grandfather was a tough country man, accustomed to heavy labor.

Describing Difficulty

When describing a task or situation, 'rudo' means that it is very difficult or physically demanding, similar to 'duro'.

jodido

ho-DEE-dohxoˈðiðo

adjectiveB2vulgar/informal
Use 'jodido' informally to describe a situation, task, or even a person as extremely difficult, problematic, or unpleasant.
A colorful storybook illustration of a small person standing at the base of a very tall, steep, rocky mountain.

Examples

El examen de matemáticas estuvo muy jodido.

The math exam was really tough.

Es una situación jodida, no sé qué decirte.

It's a tricky situation, I don't know what to tell you.

Ese cliente es muy jodido de convencer.

That client is very difficult to convince.

Using with 'Ser'

When you use this word with 'ser,' you are describing an inherent quality, like a person who is always difficult to deal with or a task that is naturally hard.

Confusing Ser and Estar

Mistake: “Saying 'El examen está jodido'.”

Correction: Say 'El examen fue/es jodido' because the difficulty is a characteristic of the test itself.

cabrón

ka-BRONkaˈβɾon

adjectiveC1vulgar/informal
Use 'cabrón' informally and often vulgarly to describe a situation or task that is exceptionally difficult or challenging.
A small figure looking up at a very steep, rocky mountain path.

Examples

El examen de física estuvo muy cabrón.

The physics exam was really tough.

Ese guitarrista es muy cabrón.

That guitarist is a total badass.

La situación en la frontera está cabrona.

The situation at the border is really difficult.

Ser vs. Estar with Cabrón

Use 'ser' to describe a person's character or talent. Use 'estar' to describe how difficult a specific situation or task is right now.

Positive vs. Negative

Mistake: “Thinking it's always an insult.”

Correction: In Mexico, calling someone 'un cabrón' for their skills is a high compliment, though still very informal.

Distinguishing 'Difícil' vs. 'Duro'

The most common confusion is between 'difícil' and 'duro'. Remember that 'difícil' relates to mental or physical effort required (a hard problem), while 'duro' relates to physical resilience or hardness (a tough material or person).

Related Translations

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