Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| duro | /ˈduɾo/ | |
| difícil | /diˈfiθil/ /diˈfisil/ |
|
| tranca | /ˈtɾanka/ | |
| costar | /kosˈtaɾ/ | verb |
Spanish uses different words for 'hard' based on whether you are describing physical texture, a harsh experience or mental complexity. Use duro to describe something with a solid, unyielding texture or a life/experience that is harsh and demanding. Use difícil when something is difficult to understand, solve or complete. The verb costar is used to express that a task is hard to perform.
Which one should you use?
Use duro for physical textures like a rock or for harshness, such as a hard life. In contrast, use difícil for tasks that are complex or difficult to understand. While duro describes the nature of an object or experience, difícil specifically refers to the level of difficulty or complexity. tranca is also an option for 'hard', and costar is a verb used to say something 'is hard' to do.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, duro must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies, such as pan duro for hard bread or piedras duras for hard stones. To express that something is hard to do, use the verb costar, which is frequently used in the third person singular or plural, such as Me cuesta (It is hard for me).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈduɾo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using duro to mean 'difficult' in an intellectual sense, such as when talking about complex problems or exams. Use difícil instead.
Did you know?
- The root of duro comes from a Proto-Indo-European word meaning 'long' or 'far'.
Examples in context
- No fue tan duro.It wasn't that hard.This sentence shows how to negate the intensity of a situation using duro.Tatoeba #4462099 by cueyayotl, translation #2280361 by CK
- El hierro es duro.Iron is hard.This sentence uses duro to describe the physical property of iron.Tatoeba #1132106 by Shishir, translation #278746 by Zifre
- El arroz está duro.The rice is hard.This sentence uses duro to describe the texture of food.Tatoeba #8808228 by adaycito, translation #12603015 by rul
- Estudiar matemáticas es difícil.Studying mathematics is hard.
- Resolver este problema es complicado.Solving this problem is hard.
- El trabajo de construcción es arduo.Construction work is hard.
- El examen de ayer estuvo duro.Yesterday's exam was hard.
- Cocinar para tantas personas es pesado.Cooking for so many people is hard.
- 611 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing a new job.
- Elena¿Es muy duro tu nuevo trabajo?Is your new job very hard?
- AlejandroSí, es un trabajo muy duro.Yes, it is a very hard job.
- ElenaLo siento mucho, Alejandro.I am very sorry, Alejandro.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, Elena.Don't worry, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hard” translations and entries duro, difícil, tranca, costar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries costar, difícil, duro, tranca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
