Me está costando
/me esta kostando/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I am struggling" is expressed as Me está costando.
This phrase is used when someone finds a particular task or activity difficult to complete.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "It is costing me". In this context, the verb costar is used to express difficulty rather than a monetary price.
Which one should you use?
Me está costando uses the progressive form to emphasize a struggle happening right now. In contrast, Me cuesta is a more general way to say something is difficult for you.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this construction, the subject is the task itself and the person struggling is the indirect object indicated by me.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'struggling' to imply a fight or conflict, Me está costando frames the difficulty as a price or energy expenditure.
- If you were struggling with multiple different tasks at once, the verb would change to the plural Me están costando to agree with the tasks, not with you.
- The verb costar can be used with the phrase costar la vida to describe something so difficult or precious that it is worth one's life, moving from a struggle to a sacrifice.
Examples in context
- Estoy pasando por un mal momento y necesito apoyo.I am going through a tough time and need support.
- No la estoy pasando bien en el trabajo.I am not doing well at work.
- Me está costando trabajo entender este concepto.I am finding it difficult to understand this concept.
- Me siento agobiado/a con tantas responsabilidades.I feel overwhelmed with so many responsibilities.
- Estoy atravesando dificultades con la implementación del proyecto.I am experiencing difficulties with the project implementation.
- Me resulta arduo adaptarme a las nuevas políticas.It is proving challenging for me to adapt to the new policies.
- Estoy pasando por una mala racha personal y me siento desanimado/a.I am going through a rough patch personally, and I feel discouraged.
- Me está costando entender este libro.I am struggling to understand this book.
- Me está costando mucho este ejercicio.I am struggling a lot with this exercise.
- Me está costando terminar el reporte.I am struggling to finish the report.
Example conversation
Alejandro is helping María with her math homework.
- MaríaMe está costando mucho este problema de matemáticas.I am struggling a lot with this math problem.
- Alejandro¿Quieres que te ayude, María?Do you want me to help you, María?
- MaríaSí, por favor, es muy difícil.Yes, please, it is very difficult.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, lo haremos juntos.Don't worry, we will do it together.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
