más duro
/mas duɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'harder' is translated into Spanish as más duro.
Más duro is used to describe something that has a more solid or firm physical texture. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'with more effort', such as when telling someone to work harder. In many dialects, más fuerte is also a common way to express intensity in this sense.
Which one should you use?
Use más duro when referring to physical texture or intensity. If you are referring to a task that is difficult to perform, use más difícil instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use más dura for feminine nouns, más duros for masculine plural nouns and más duras for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/mas duɾo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, duro is a slang term for money or a specific coin, rather than a description of texture.
- In some slang contexts, calling someone un duro can be a compliment, implying they are an 'expert' or a 'pro' at a specific task.
- Deep in its history, the root of duro originally meant 'long' or 'distant' in Proto-Indo-European, rather than 'hard'.
Examples in context
- Espero que trabajes más duro.I expect you to work harder.This sentence shows how to use más duro to describe working with more effort.Tatoeba #1272822 by Silvestre, translation #17525 by CK
- Es más duro de lo que parece.It's harder than it seems.This sentence demonstrates using más duro to compare the hardness of an object to its appearance.Tatoeba #7906932 by arh, translation #5740695 by CM
- ¿Por qué no trabajas más duro?Why don't you work harder?This sentence is another example of using más duro to suggest working with more effort.Tatoeba #2282034 by marcelostockle, translation #2281889 by CK
- Estudiar matemáticas avanzadas es más difícil que estudiar matemáticas básicas.Studying advanced mathematics is harder than studying basic mathematics.
- Resolver este problema es más complicado de lo que parece.Solving this problem is harder than it seems.
- Aprender a tocar el piano requiere más esfuerzo que aprender a tocar la guitarra.Learning to play the piano is harder than learning to play the guitar.
- Levantar pesas es más duro de lo que pensaba.Lifting weights is harder than I thought.
- Encontrar el amor verdadero es más complicado que la vida misma.Finding true love is harder than life itself.
- Este proyecto es más arduo de lo que pensaba.This project is harder than I thought.
- Estudiar historia del arte es más pesado que estudiar matemáticas.Studying art history is harder than studying mathematics.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are choosing a mattress at a store.
- JavierEste colchón es muy blando, Lucía.This mattress is very soft, Lucía.
- LucíaTienes razón, necesitamos uno más duro.You're right, we need one that is harder.
- JavierPrueba este de aquí.Try this one here.
- LucíaSí, este se siente mucho más duro.Yes, this one feels much harder.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries duro, más, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
