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How to Say "tough" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “tough” is “difícil” — use 'difícil' when referring to something that requires a lot of effort or is hard to achieve, like a task or a problem..

English → Spanish

difícil

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

adjectiveA1general
Use 'difícil' when referring to something that requires a lot of effort or is hard to achieve, like a task or a problem.
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.

duro

/DOO-roh//ˈdu.ɾo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'duro' to describe a physical quality of being hard, solid, or unyielding, like a material or a surface.
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.

fuertes

FWEHR-tess/ˈfweɾtes/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'fuertes' to describe something or someone as strong, robust, or capable of withstanding strain, often related to physical condition or durability.
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'.

macho

/MAH-choh//ˈmatʃo/

adjectiveB1informal
Use 'macho' informally to describe an object that is sturdy, robust, and built to last, implying it can handle significant stress.
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.

rudo

ROO-doh/ˈru.ðo/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'rudo' when describing a person or their actions as rough, harsh, or physically resilient, often in a combative or challenging context.
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'.

Difficulty vs. Physical Hardness

The most common confusion is between 'difícil' and 'duro'. Remember, 'difícil' refers to effort or challenge, while 'duro' describes physical solidity or resilience. Don't use 'duro' for a difficult test!

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