esto es difícil
/esto es difiθil/from spelling rules
The English phrase "this is hard" is translated into Spanish as esto es difícil.
This phrase is used to say that a task or situation requires a lot of effort to complete.
Which one should you use?
While esto es difícil refers to difficulty or complexity, esto es duro is often used colloquially to describe a situation that is emotionally or physically taxing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word esto is a neuter demonstrative pronoun used to refer to an abstract concept, a situation or an unidentified object, rather than a specific gendered noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/esto es difiθil/
Did you know?
- The word difícil shares a common ancestor with the English word 'facile', which describes something easy or effortless. In Spanish, the meaning is actually the opposite of its Latin ancestor 'facilis', which meant 'easy'.
- In some contexts, the word duro in esto es duro can refer to a hard currency or a specific old coin, rather than just a difficult situation.
- The word esto is part of a rare group of neuter pronouns in Spanish that do not have a corresponding gendered noun, meaning it refers to an idea rather than a thing.
Examples in context
- Sé que esto es difícil.I know this is hard.This sentence is useful for expressing awareness that esto es difícil.Tatoeba #3847223 by cueyayotl, translation #1887502 by CK
- Esto es difícil para ti, ¿verdad?This is hard for you, isn't it?This sentence is useful for asking a question about whether esto es difícil for someone.Tatoeba #3450422 by Shishir, translation #3178503 by CK
- Esto es difícil.This is hard.This sentence is a direct way to state that esto es difícil.Tatoeba #869127 by alexmarcelo, translation #957429 by CM
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are studying a complex math problem together.
- AlejandroNo entiendo nada de esto.I don't understand any of this.
- MaríaEs verdad, esto es difícil.It's true, this is hard.
- Alejandro¿Quieres que lo intentemos otra vez?Do you want us to try it again?
- MaríaSí, Alejandro, vamos a intentarlo.Yes, Alejandro, let's try it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries difícil, es, esto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
