Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| тру́дный | trúdnyj | masculine | |
| тяжёлый | tjažólyj | [tʲɪˈʐoɫɨj] (narrow) | |
| тя́жкий | tjážkij | ||
| сло́жный | slóžnyj |
Russian uses different words for 'difficult' depending on whether you are describing something that is complex, something that is burdensome or something that presents obstacles. You might use сло́жный for things that are complicated, тяжёлый for things that are taxing or heavy, тру́дный for things that are troublesome or full of obstacles or тя́жкий for very severe or grievous matters.
Which one should you use?
Use сло́жный when referring to something that is difficult because it is complex or complicated, rather than just being hard to endure. Тяжёлый literally means 'heavy', but it is the most common way to describe a difficult period of time, a difficult day or a task that is emotionally or physically taxing. Тру́дный is often used for tasks or situations that present obstacles, such as a 'difficult path' or 'difficult problems'. Тя́жкий is a more formal or literary term used for very serious or severe things, like 'heavy consequences' or a 'heavy sin'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a colloquial way to say something is difficult, you can use сложненько.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form тру́дный is the masculine singular adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
trúdnyj
Did you know?
- If you describe a person as сло́жный человек, you are not necessarily calling them a 'bad' person. Instead, you are suggesting their personality is complex, multifaceted, or perhaps difficult to fully understand.
- The word сло́жный shares a semantic root with the idea of 'assembling' or 'composing' something. This implies that a 'difficult' task is one that requires many parts to be put together correctly.
- The diminutive form сложненько can be used to ironically or casually downplay a problem. It makes the idea of a complication sound smaller or more manageable than it actually is.
Examples in context
- Это был тяжёлый день.It's been a difficult day.This sentence is useful for describing a difficult day using тяжёлый.Tatoeba #4308032 by whatnot, translation #4016520 by CK
- Сегодня был очень тяжёлый день.Today was a very difficult day.This sentence is useful for emphasizing that a day was very difficult using тяжёлый.Tatoeba #6639618 by Selena777, translation #8819294 by lucasmg123
- Это был тяжёлый период в истории Америки.That was a difficult period in American history.This sentence is useful for describing a difficult period in history using тяжёлый.Tatoeba #2890185 by sharptoothed, translation #2890184 by sharptoothed
- Найти решение этой задачи очень сложно.Finding a solution to this problem is very difficult.
- Математика для меня всегда была сложной.Mathematics has always been difficult for me.
- Понять сложные концепции может быть непросто.Understanding complex concepts can be challenging.
- Вчера было сложненько, но я справился.Yesterday was tough, but I managed.
- Выучить новые слова сложненько, но я не сдаюсь.Learning new words is challenging, but I won't give up.
- Мне нравится разгадывать запутанные головоломки.I enjoy solving intricate puzzles.
- Временами жизнь может быть запутанной, но мы справимся.Life can be complicated at times, but we will overcome it.
Example conversation
Maria and Dmitry are discussing a homework assignment.
- Мария MariaДмитрий, этот вопрос очень тру́дный.Dmitriy, etot vopros ochen trudnyy.Dmitry, this question is very difficult.
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, я тоже долго думал над ним.Da, ya tozhe dolgo dumal nad nim.Yes, I also thought about it for a long time.
- Мария MariaТы можешь мне помочь с ответом?Ty mozhesh mne pomoch s otvetom?Can you help me with the answer?
- Дмитрий DmitryКонечно, давай разберём его вместе.Konechno, davay razberyom ego vmeste.Of course, let's figure it out together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “difficult” translations and entries тяжёлый, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries тяжёлый, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
