difficile
/di.fi.sil/
The French word for "difficult" is difficile.
difficile is used to describe something that is hard, not easy (adj).
Meaning: hard, not easy (adj)
Which one should you use?
While difficile refers to complexity or difficulty, dur is used to describe physical hardness or a harsh/tough situation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective becomes difficiles in the plural to agree with a plural noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/di.fi.sil/
Did you know?
- The expression c'est coton is an old-fashioned way to say something is very difficult, despite coton meaning 'cotton'.
- While difficile is a standard adjective, French speakers often use the phrase c'est galère in informal speech to describe a situation that is frustratingly difficult.
- If a task is extremely difficult, a French speaker might call it un casse-tête, which translates literally to 'a head-breaker'.
Examples in context
- Ce mot est difficile.This word is difficult.This sentence shows how to identify a word as being difficult using difficile.Tatoeba #4468756 by Mutusen, translation #4404701 by Evie
- Ça va être difficile.It's going to be difficult.This sentence uses difficile to describe a future state of difficulty.Tatoeba #11984887 by lbdx, translation #4918981 by CK
- Est-ce trop difficile ?Is that too difficult?This sentence uses difficile to ask about the degree of difficulty.Tatoeba #4404136 by sacredceltic, translation #5349533 by Adelpa
- La tâche est difficile à accomplir.The task is difficult to accomplish.
- Le problème s'avère être plus difficile que prévu.The problem turned out to be more difficult than expected.
- Ce problème est ardu à résoudre.This problem is arduous to solve.
- Le projet nécessite une recherche approfondie et ardue.The project requires in-depth and challenging research.
- Ce jeu est dur à terminer.This game is hard to finish.
- Cette équation de math est vraiment dure à résoudre.This math equation is really tough to solve.
- Ce jeu vidéo est un vrai casse-tête.This video game is a real headache.
- La situation est vraiment compliquée.The situation is really difficult.
- 824 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are discussing a logic puzzle.
- ManonCe puzzle est très difficile.This puzzle is very difficult.
- LucasOui, je trouve ça difficile aussi.Yes, I find it difficult too.
- ManonTu veux de l'aide, Lucas ?Do you want some help, Lucas?
- LucasNon merci, je vais essayer encore.No thanks, I will try again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “difficult” translations and entries difficile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
