How to Say "Very Difficult" in Spanish

muy difícil

/mui difiθil/from spelling rules

In Spanish, very difficult is said as muy difícil.

The phrase is used to describe something that requires a great deal of effort or skill to accomplish.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of muy (very) and difícil (difficult).

Which one should you use?

Sumamente difícil is a more formal and emphatic way to express very difficult, and Súper difícil is a common informal expression used in various Spanish-speaking countries.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Colombia and Venezuela, people use durísimo to express a high level of difficulty.

Did you know?

The word difícil shares a common ancestor with the English word 'fact', stemming from the Latin verb 'facere', which means 'to do' or 'to make'.
When something is so difficult it feels impossible, Spanish speakers may use the expression está cuesta arriba, which literally means 'it is uphill'.

Examples in context

Ha sido muy difícil.
It's been very difficult.
This sentence is useful for describing a past state using muy difícil.
Tatoeba #7921567 by Seael, translation #5744843 by CM
Es muy difícil entenderle.
It's very difficult to understand him.
This sentence shows how to use muy difícil when describing the difficulty of understanding someone.
Tatoeba #1200513 by cueyayotl, translation #1199416 by CK
El examen era muy difícil.
The exam was very difficult.
This sentence uses muy difícil to describe the difficulty of a past exam.
Tatoeba #2071729 by Shishir, translation #3825350 by CK
El problema es sumamente difícil de resolver.
The problem is extremely difficult to solve.
La película estuvo súper difícil de entender.
The movie was really difficult to understand.
La prueba de matemáticas estuvo durísima.
The math test was really tough.
63 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Mateo and Lucía are discussing a new hobby.

Mateo

¿Cómo va tu curso de piano?
How is your piano course going?
Lucía

Es muy difícil, pero me gusta.
It is very difficult, but I like it.
Mateo

No te rindas, Lucía.
Don't give up, Lucía.
Lucía

Gracias, Mateo. Lo intentaré.
Thanks, Mateo. I will try.

Sources

IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries difícil, muy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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How to Say “Very Difficult” in Spanish