Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| rígido | /ˈrixido/ |
| duro | /ˈduɾo/ |
| tieso | /ˈtjeso/ |
| inflexible | /infleɡˈsible/ |
When describing an object that is rigid, hard to bend or inflexible, you have several options depending on the context.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the type of stiffness you are describing. Use duro when the stiffness is a result of hardness or resistance to pressure, such as a stiff collar or a hard surface. Use tieso to describe a body part that is unnaturally stiff or frozen. This is more colloquial or descriptive than rígido.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Rígido is a formal term used to describe something stiff or rigid, like a board or an object that lacks flexibility. In contrast, tieso is used in a more colloquial or descriptive way than rígido.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective rígido must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to rígida for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈrixido/
When do people say it?
In a slang context, tieso can be used to refer to a corpse or a dead person. The slang term fiambre can also be used in this same way.
Did you know?
- The word fiambre is often used as a synonym for tieso when referring to a corpse, but it literally means 'cold cuts' or 'deli meat'.
- The Spanish word duro shares a common ancestor with the English word 'durable', both originating from a concept of being 'long' or 'enduring'.
- If you are describing a person who is acting 'stiff' due to social awkwardness, Spanish speakers might use tieso to describe their physical awkwardness.
Examples in context
- Me levanté con el cuello rígido.I woke up with a stiff neck.This sentence is useful for describing a stiff neck using rígido.Tatoeba #4969717 by albrusgher, translation #2784050 by CK
- Tengo el cuello tieso y me duele.My neck is stiff and sore.This sentence is useful for describing a stiff neck using tieso.Tatoeba #13717456 by ecorralest101, translation #6981558 by Eccles17
- Necesito una camisa de cuello duro.I need a shirt with a stiff collar.This sentence is useful for describing a stiff collar using duro.Tatoeba #2267049 by cueyayotl, translation #2267048 by _undertoad
- La tabla está rígidaThe board is stiff
- Después de tanto tiempo sentado, siento los músculos tensosAfter sitting for so long, I feel stiff muscles
- El pan está duroThe bread is stiff/hard
- No me gusta ir a ese club, está lleno de gente estiradaI don't like going to that club, it's full of snobby people
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are looking at a new piece of furniture in a store.
- Javier¿Te parece que este material es demasiado rígido?Do you think this material is too stiff?
- ElenaSí, es un poco rígido para un sofá.Yes, it is a bit stiff for a sofa.
- JavierBusquemos algo más suave y flexible.Let's look for something softer and more flexible.
- ElenaBuena idea, este no es cómodo.Good idea, this one isn't comfortable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stiff” translations and entries rígido, duro, tieso, inflexible, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries duro, inflexible, rígido, tieso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
