How to Say "Tough" in Spanish

difícil

/diˈfiθil/

The Spanish word for tough (meaning difficult or demanding) is difícil.

Meaning: difficult or demanding (adj)

Which one should you use?

While difícil means difficult or demanding, the word duro can also mean 'tough' in the sense of physical hardness or emotional toughness.

The adjective difícil becomes difíciles in its plural form to agree with plural nouns.

/diˈfiθil/

The Spanish word duro can also function as a noun referring to an old Spanish silver coin, meaning 'hard money'.
The word difícil shares a deep ancestry with the English word 'fact' through the Latin root 'facere', which means 'to do' or 'to make'.
Using duro to describe a person's character often suggests they are emotionally cold or unyielding rather than just physically or mentally strong.

Es muy difícil ganar.
It's very tough to win.
This sentence shows how to use difícil to describe the difficulty of winning.
Tatoeba #5022925 by don_ramon, translation #5012696 by CK
Es una elección difícil.
It's a tough choice.
This sentence demonstrates using difícil to describe a choice.
Tatoeba #3791328 by Seael, translation #3618618 by CK
Es un trabajo muy difícil.
That's a very tough job.
This sentence illustrates how to use difícil to describe a job.
Tatoeba #5022422 by don_ramon, translation #5021784 by CK
El examen fue demasiado difícil para mí.
The exam was too tough for me.
Resolver este problema matemático es realmente complicado.
Solving this math problem is truly tough.
El proyecto requiere un trabajo arduo para ser completado.
The project requires tough work to be completed.
Estar en el ejército requiere que seas fuerte.
Being in the army requires you to be tough.
Tenemos que estudiar para el examen final. ¡Es tan pesado!
We have to study for the final exam. It's so tough!
11 more sentences on Tatoeba

Lucía and Mateo are discussing their university studies.

Lucía

¿Te parece difícil la clase de matemáticas?
Do you find the math class difficult?
Mateo

Sí, es muy difícil para mí.
Yes, it is very difficult for me.
Lucía

A mí también me parece difícil.
It seems difficult to me too.
Mateo

Debemos estudiar más juntos, Lucía.
We should study more together, Lucía.

Sources

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