Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| apuro | /aˈpuɾo/ | masculine |
| penalidad | /penaliˈdad/ | feminine |
| penuria | /peˈnuɾja/ | feminine |
| adversidad | /adbeɾsiˈdad/ | feminine |
In Spanish, there are different words for hardship depending on whether you are describing a lack of resources, abstract misfortune or a general predicament. Penuria specifically implies a hardship caused by a lack of resources, such as food or money, such as in the common phrase pasar penurias (to go through hardships). Adversidad is used for more abstract or situational hardships, like bad luck or misfortune, rather than material poverty. Apuro can mean a difficulty.
Which one should you use?
While apuro can mean a difficulty, it is very frequently used to mean a rush, hurry or a tight spot/predicament. Penuria specifically implies a hardship caused by a lack of resources, such as food or money.
How does it change in a sentence?
Apuro is a masculine noun. Penalidad, penuria and adversidad are all feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈpuɾo/
Did you know?
- Because apuro can mean both a 'tight spot' and 'a hurry', the phrase no tengo apuro means 'I am in no rush'.
- The word apuro is a deverbal noun, meaning it is derived from the verb apurar, which can mean to refine or to finish something off.
- The Spanish word penalidad shares the same root as the English word 'penalty', linking the concept of hardship directly to the idea of punishment.
Examples in context
- Muchos grandes hombres pasaron penurias durante su juventud.Many great men went through hardship during their youth.This sentence is useful for showing how to use penuria to describe enduring periods of extreme material deprivation.Tatoeba #852307 by robespain, translation #28295 by Dejo
- Estoy enfrentando dificultades económicas.I am facing financial difficulties.
- Esta situación supone una gran dificultad.This situation poses a great hardship.
- La vida está llena de dificultades en ocasiones.Life is full of hardships at times.
- No quiero meterte en un apuro.I don't want to put you in a bind.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are discussing a recent travel delay.
- Sofía¿Te causé algún apuro con mi retraso?Did my delay cause you any trouble?
- MateoNo, Sofía, pero fue un momento difícil.No, Sofia, but it was a difficult moment.
- SofíaLo siento mucho, Mateo.I am very sorry, Mateo.
- MateoNo te preocupes, ya pasó.Don't worry, it's over now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hardship” translations and entries apuro, penalidad, penuria, adversidad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adversidad, apuro, penalidad, penuria, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
