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A2 noun #1,500 am häufigsten 6 Min. Lesezeit

dificultad

Top 1,500

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At the A1 level, 'dificultad' is a word you might recognize but rarely use yourself. You are more likely to use the adjective 'difícil' (difficult) or simply say 'no puedo' (I can't). However, understanding 'dificultad' is helpful for reading signs or hearing instructions. You might hear a teacher say '¿Tienes alguna dificultad?' (Do you have any difficulty?). At this stage, you should focus on the basic meaning: something is not easy. You can start by learning the phrase 'con dificultad' to describe simple actions like walking or speaking. It is a bridge between very basic vocabulary and the more abstract nouns you will learn later. Knowing that it is a feminine noun is a great early grammar win.

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For A2 learners, 'dificultad' becomes a functional part of your vocabulary. You should be able to use it in common structures like 'tener dificultad para...' followed by an infinitive. This allows you to express your needs and limitations more precisely than just saying 'es difícil'. For example, 'Tengo dificultad para entender el menú' is a very useful sentence for a traveler. You will also start to see it in plural form, 'dificultades', in the context of personal problems or travel issues. You should be comfortable identifying it in texts and using it with basic adjectives like 'mucha' or 'poca'. It is a key word for describing your language learning journey itself.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'dificultad' in more complex sentences and varied contexts. You might discuss 'dificultades económicas' or 'dificultades técnicas' in a professional or social setting. You should be able to use it to explain why a certain task took longer than expected. You will also begin to use it in adverbial phrases like 'sin ninguna dificultad' (without any difficulty) to express fluency or ease. Your understanding of the word should expand to include its role in expressing opinions and feelings about challenges. You can now distinguish between a 'problema' and a 'dificultad' in a conversation, adding nuance to your speech.

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By B2, 'dificultad' is a word you use naturally and with correct collocations. You might use verbs like 'entrañar' (to entail) or 'solventar' (to resolve) in conjunction with it. You can discuss the 'grado de dificultad' of a project or a political situation. You are also aware of the word's usage in more formal writing, such as essays or reports, where you might analyze the 'dificultades inherentes' (inherent difficulties) of a topic. You can handle the word in various registers, from complaining to a friend about a 'dificultad' with your car to writing a formal letter about 'dificultades administrativas'. Your use of prepositions with this word should be flawless.

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At the C1 level, you use 'dificultad' with stylistic flair. You might use it in idiomatic expressions or as part of a sophisticated rhetorical structure. You understand the subtle difference between 'dificultad', 'vicisitud', and 'contratiempo'. You can use the word to discuss abstract philosophical or social concepts, such as the 'dificultad de alcanzar la igualdad'. Your vocabulary around this word includes rare collocations and precise adjectives. You can read complex literature where 'dificultad' might be used metaphorically or in a very specific technical sense. You are also able to recognize and use the word in regional dialects where the pronunciation might vary significantly.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'dificultad' is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker. You can use it in any context, from high-level academic discourse to street slang (where it might be used ironically). You understand the historical evolution of the word and how it fits into the broader landscape of Romance languages. You can play with the word in creative writing, using it to create specific moods or to emphasize a character's struggle. You are also aware of the legal and medical implications of the term in professional documents. For you, 'dificultad' is not just a word, but a versatile tool for expressing the full spectrum of human challenge and resilience.

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dificultad in 30 Sekunden

Dificultad is a feminine noun meaning 'difficulty' or 'obstacle'.
It is commonly used with verbs like 'tener', 'encontrar', and 'superar'.
The phrase 'con dificultad' acts as an adverb meaning 'with difficulty'.
It is a cognate of the English word, making it easy to remember for English speakers.

The word dificultad is a fundamental noun in the Spanish language, primarily used to describe the state or quality of being difficult. At its core, it refers to an obstacle, a problem, or a lack of ease in performing a task or understanding a concept. In the context of CEFR A2 learners, it is often one of the first abstract nouns encountered that describes the nature of an experience.

Etymological Root: Derived from the Latin 'difficultas', it shares a clear cognate relationship with the English word 'difficulty', making it relatively easy for English speakers to recognize, though its usage nuances in Spanish are distinct.

La dificultad del examen sorprendió a todos los estudiantes.

Beyond just being 'hard', the word encompasses the idea of an impediment. If you are climbing a mountain, the steepness is a 'dificultad'. If you are learning a new language, the grammar might be a 'dificultad'. It is a versatile term that can be applied to physical, mental, or situational challenges.

Abstract vs. Concrete: While 'dificultad' is abstract, it often points to concrete issues. For example, 'dificultades económicas' refers to very real financial problems.

Superar esta dificultad requiere mucha paciencia y esfuerzo constante.

In everyday conversation, you might hear someone say 'con dificultad' to describe how they did something—meaning they struggled to complete it.

Synonymy: It is closely related to 'problema' (problem) and 'obstáculo' (obstacle), but 'dificultad' specifically emphasizes the effort required to overcome the situation.

El camino tenía mucha dificultad debido a la lluvia intensa.

No encuentro ninguna dificultad en este ejercicio de matemáticas.

A pesar de la dificultad, ella logró terminar su proyecto a tiempo.

Understanding this word is key to expressing the challenges of life and learning.

Using dificultad correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement and the prepositions that usually follow it. Most commonly, we use the structure 'tener dificultad para + [verb]' or 'tener dificultad con + [noun]'.

Common Verb Pairings: Verbs like 'tener' (to have), 'encontrar' (to find), 'superar' (to overcome), and 'añadir' (to add) are frequently used with this noun.

Tengo dificultad para pronunciar la letra 'erre'.

Another important usage is as an adverbial phrase: 'con dificultad'. This modifies an action to show it was hard to do.

Adverbial Usage: Instead of saying 'it was hard for him to walk', you can say 'caminaba con dificultad'.

El anciano subía las escaleras con mucha dificultad.

In academic or technical settings, you might discuss the 'grado de dificultad' (degree of difficulty). This is common in sports like diving or gymnastics, or in describing the complexity of a software task.

Plural Nuances: The plural 'dificultades' is often used to describe financial or personal hardships, such as 'dificultades económicas'.

La empresa está pasando por serias dificultades financieras.

No pongas más dificultades al proceso, por favor.

Encontré una dificultad técnica que no pude resolver solo.

La dificultad de la vida nos hace más fuertes.

Mastering these patterns will help you sound more natural in Spanish.

You will encounter dificultad in a wide variety of settings, from casual conversations to formal news reports. In a school setting, teachers often talk about the difficulty of a lesson or an exam.

Academic Context: 'El nivel de dificultad de este curso es alto' is a common phrase in universities.

El profesor explicó la dificultad del tema con mucha paciencia.

In the news, you might hear about 'dificultades respiratorias' (breathing difficulties) in medical reports or 'dificultades diplomáticas' in political segments.

Professional Context: In business, it's used to describe logistical or operational hurdles: 'Tenemos dificultades con el suministro'.

El paciente presenta dificultad para tragar alimentos sólidos.

In literature and cinema, the protagonist often faces a 'gran dificultad' that they must overcome to achieve their goal.

Daily Life: When someone is apologizing for a delay, they might say 'Tuve algunas dificultades en el camino'.

¿Tienes alguna dificultad con el nuevo sistema de software?

La dificultad de acceso al edificio es un problema para los discapacitados.

Siempre hay dificultades al principio de cualquier relación.

No subestimes la dificultad de esta tarea.

Whether in a doctor's office, a classroom, or a video game menu, 'dificultad' is everywhere.

One of the most frequent errors for learners is confusing the noun dificultad with the adjective 'difícil'. Remember: you *have* a difficulty, but a task *is* difficult.

Noun vs. Adjective: Incorrect: 'El examen es dificultad'. Correct: 'El examen es difícil' or 'El examen tiene mucha dificultad'.

Es una dificultad enorme, no una situación difícil (though both work in different structures).

Another mistake is using the wrong preposition. Learners often say 'dificultad de hacer' instead of 'dificultad para hacer'. While 'de' is sometimes used, 'para' is much more common when followed by an action.

Preposition Pitfalls: Use 'para' for verbs: 'dificultad para dormir'. Use 'con' for objects: 'dificultad con el coche'.

Tengo dificultad para entender el mapa.

Gender is also a common slip-up. Because it ends in '-ad', it is feminine. Avoid saying 'el dificultad'.

Pluralization: The plural is 'dificultades'. Some learners try to say 'dificultads', which is incorrect.

Enfrentamos muchas dificultades durante el viaje.

La dificultad no es excusa para rendirse.

¿Hay alguna dificultad en el contrato?

Superamos la dificultad gracias al trabajo en equipo.

By keeping these rules in mind, you will avoid the most common traps.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to compare dificultad with its synonyms and related terms. While 'dificultad' is general, other words offer more specific meanings.

Dificultad vs. Problema: A 'problema' is a situation that needs a solution. A 'dificultad' is the effort or obstacle within that situation.

Tengo un problema con mi jefe, y la dificultad es hablar con él.

Dificultad vs. Reto: A 'reto' (challenge) is often seen as something positive or motivating, whereas 'dificultad' can be seen as a burden.

Acepto el reto a pesar de la dificultad.

Dificultad vs. Impedimento: An 'impedimento' is something that completely stops you, while a 'dificultad' just makes it harder.

La falta de dinero es un impedimento, no solo una dificultad.

Esta dificultad es solo temporal.

No veo la dificultad en ser amable.

Cada dificultad es una oportunidad de aprendizaje.

Understanding these subtle differences will help you choose the right word for every situation.

How Formal Is It?

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Noun-adjective agreement (feminine)

Use of 'para' with infinitives

Pluralization of nouns ending in 'd'

The use of 'hay' with abstract nouns

Adverbial phrases with 'con'

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Tengo una dificultad.

I have a difficulty.

Simple noun usage with an article.

Es una dificultad pequeña.

It is a small difficulty.

Adjective 'pequeña' agrees with the feminine noun.

¿Tienes alguna dificultad?

Do you have any difficulty?

Interrogative use.

No hay dificultad.

There is no difficulty.

Negation with 'hay'.

Camino con dificultad.

I walk with difficulty.

Prepositional phrase 'con dificultad'.

La dificultad es el examen.

The difficulty is the exam.

Noun as the subject.

Veo una dificultad aquí.

I see a difficulty here.

Direct object usage.

¡Qué dificultad!

What a difficulty!

Exclamatory use.

Tengo dificultad para hablar español.

I have difficulty speaking Spanish.

Structure: tener dificultad para + infinitive.

Él tiene dificultad con la tarea.

He has difficulty with the homework.

Structure: tener dificultad con + noun.

Superamos la dificultad juntos.

We overcame the difficulty together.

Verb 'superar' (to overcome).

Hay muchas dificultades en el viaje.

There are many difficulties on the trip.

Plural form 'dificultades'.

No encuentro dificultad en este juego.

I don't find difficulty in this game.

Verb 'encontrar' (to find).

La dificultad del nivel es media.

The difficulty of the level is medium.

Genitive 'de' showing possession/quality.

Ella lee con mucha dificultad.

She reads with a lot of difficulty.

Adverbial use with 'mucha'.

Por favor, explica la dificultad.

Please, explain the difficulty.

Imperative use.

A pesar de la dificultad, terminamos el proyecto.

Despite the difficulty, we finished the project.

Conjunction 'A pesar de'.

La empresa tiene dificultades financieras.

The company has financial difficulties.

Adjective 'financieras' modifying 'dificultades'.

No quiero añadir más dificultad al asunto.

I don't want to add more difficulty to the matter.

Verb 'añadir' (to add).

Resolvimos las dificultades técnicas rápidamente.

We resolved the technical difficulties quickly.

Verb 'resolver' (to resolve).

El grado de dificultad es muy alto.

The degree of difficulty is very high.

Phrase 'grado de dificultad'.

Tuvimos dificultades para encontrar el hotel.

We had difficulties finding the hotel.

Plural usage with 'para'.

Él habla inglés sin ninguna dificultad.

He speaks English without any difficulty.

Phrase 'sin ninguna dificultad'.

La dificultad reside en la falta de tiempo.

The difficulty lies in the lack of time.

Verb 'residir' (to lie/reside in).

La propuesta entraña una gran dificultad logística.

The proposal entails great logistical difficulty.

Verb 'entrañar' (to entail).

Debemos solventar estas dificultades antes del lunes.

We must solve these difficulties before Monday.

Verb 'solventar' (to solve/settle).

La dificultad de la situación nos obligó a cambiar de plan.

The difficulty of the situation forced us to change plans.

Causal relationship.

Se enfrentaron a dificultades imprevistas.

They faced unforeseen difficulties.

Adjective 'imprevistas' (unforeseen).

La dificultad estriba en coordinar a todos los equipos.

The difficulty lies in coordinating all the teams.

Verb 'estribar' (to lie/be based on).

No subestimes la dificultad de esta negociación.

Do not underestimate the difficulty of this negotiation.

Verb 'subestimar' (to underestimate).

La obra presenta una dificultad técnica considerable.

The work presents a considerable technical difficulty.

Adjective 'considerable'.

Superó las dificultades con una entereza admirable.

He overcame the difficulties with admirable fortitude.

Abstract noun 'entereza'.

La dificultad inherente al cargo es agotadora.

The difficulty inherent to the position is exhausting.

Adjective 'inherente'.

Pese a las vicisitudes y dificultades, triunfó.

Despite the ups and downs and difficulties, he triumphed.

Synonym 'vicisitudes'.

La dificultad de traducción radica en los modismos.

The difficulty of translation lies in the idioms.

Verb 'radicar' (to lie in).

Abordamos la dificultad desde una perspectiva holística.

We approached the difficulty from a holistic perspective.

Verb 'abordar' (to approach/tackle).

La dificultad de acceso a la vivienda es un tema candente.

The difficulty of access to housing is a hot topic.

Social context.

Su discurso soslayó la dificultad real del problema.

His speech avoided the real difficulty of the problem.

Verb 'soslayar' (to avoid/sidestep).

La dificultad de aprendizaje no debe ser un estigma.

Learning difficulty should not be a stigma.

Educational context.

La trama de la novela aumenta en dificultad.

The novel's plot increases in difficulty.

Literary context.

La dificultad ontológica de su obra es fascinante.

The ontological difficulty of his work is fascinating.

Academic adjective 'ontológica'.

Se desenvuelve con pasmosa facilidad ante cualquier dificultad.

He handles himself with astonishing ease in the face of any difficulty.

Contrast with 'facilidad'.

La dificultad estriba en la dicotomía entre teoría y praxis.

The difficulty lies in the dichotomy between theory and practice.

Philosophical terminology.

Cualquier dificultad palidece ante su determinación.

Any difficulty pales before her determination.

Metaphorical verb 'palidecer'.

La dificultad de discernir la verdad es el eje del relato.

The difficulty of discerning the truth is the axis of the story.

Verb 'discernir'.

No es sino una dificultad transitoria en el devenir histórico.

It is but a transitory difficulty in the historical process.

Formal 'no es sino'.

La dificultad de la empresa era óbice para su entusiasmo.

The difficulty of the venture was a hindrance to his enthusiasm.

Archaic/Formal 'óbice'.

La dificultad intrínseca del lenguaje poético es innegable.

The intrinsic difficulty of poetic language is undeniable.

Adjective 'intrínseca'.

Häufige Kollokationen

tener dificultad

superar una dificultad

con dificultad

sin dificultad

grado de dificultad

nivel de dificultad

presentar dificultad

añadir dificultad

encontrar dificultad

mucha dificultad

Häufige Phrasen

con mucha dificultad

sin ninguna dificultad

dificultades económicas

dificultades de aprendizaje

dificultades técnicas

poner dificultades

vencer las dificultades

a pesar de la dificultad

en medio de la dificultad

una gran dificultad

Wird oft verwechselt mit

dificultad vs difícil (adjective)

dificultad vs dificulta (verb form)

dificultad vs facilidad (antonym)

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"ahogarse en un vaso de agua (to make a mountain out of a molehill/difficulty)"

"poner trabas (to put obstacles/difficulties)"

"salir del paso (to get through a difficulty)"

"estar en un aprieto (to be in a difficult situation)"

"no ser moco de pavo (to be no small difficulty)"

"buscarle las cinco patas al gato (to look for unnecessary difficulties)"

"contra viento y marea (against all difficulties)"

"pasarlas canutas (to go through great difficulties)"

"estar entre la espada y la pared (to be in a very difficult choice)"

"caérsele el mundo encima (to be overwhelmed by difficulties)"

Leicht verwechselbar

dificultad vs

Satzmuster

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So verwendest du es

dificultad vs difícil

Use 'dificultad' as a noun and 'difícil' as an adjective.

dificultad vs problema

'Dificultad' is the hurdle; 'problema' is the whole situation.

Häufige Fehler

Don't use the noun where an adjective is needed.
Use 'para' before an infinitive.
The word is feminine.
The plural is 'dificultades' and the adjective must be feminine.
Don't confuse the noun with the verb 'dificultar'.

Tipps

Gender Rule

Always remember that nouns ending in -dad and -tad are feminine. This will help you with many other words like 'ciudad' and 'libertad'.

Verb Pairings

Learn 'dificultad' with the verb 'tener'. It is the most natural way to express that you are struggling with something.

Soft 'D'

Don't over-pronounce the final 'd'. A very soft touch of the tongue is enough, or you can even leave it almost silent.

Adverbial Phrase

Use 'con dificultad' to describe how an action is performed. It's a great way to add detail to your sentences.

Plural Meaning

When you hear 'dificultades' in the news, it usually refers to economic or social problems affecting a large group.

Formal Tone

In formal writing, 'dificultad' sounds more professional than 'problema'. Use it in reports and essays.

Cognate Advantage

Use your knowledge of English to recognize the word, but be careful not to use English grammar with it.

Confidence

Don't be afraid to use 'Tengo dificultad para...' when you don't understand something. It's a polite and clear way to ask for help.

Identify Suffixes

Training your ear to hear the '-tad' suffix will help you identify nouns quickly in fast-paced conversations.

Resilience

Understanding the cultural value of overcoming 'dificultades' will help you connect better with native speakers.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Latin

Kultureller Kontext

In some regions, people might be very direct about their 'dificultades', while in others, they might use euphemisms.

Overcoming difficulties is a valued trait in Hispanic cultures.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Cuál es la mayor dificultad de aprender español?"

"¿Has tenido alguna dificultad para llegar hoy?"

"¿Qué dificultad encuentras en tu trabajo actual?"

"¿Cómo superas una dificultad personal?"

"¿Crees que la dificultad hace la vida más interesante?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe una dificultad que superaste recientemente.

¿Qué dificultades esperas encontrar en el futuro?

Escribe sobre una dificultad técnica que tuviste con tu ordenador.

¿Cómo cambia tu actitud ante una gran dificultad?

La dificultad de ser honesto en situaciones complicadas.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is feminine. You should always say 'la dificultad' or 'una dificultad'. This is because words ending in '-ad' are feminine in Spanish.

The plural is 'dificultades'. In Spanish, nouns ending in a consonant usually add '-es' to form the plural.

No, that is incorrect. You should say 'es difícil' (it is difficult) or 'es una dificultad' (it is a difficulty).

Usually 'para' when followed by a verb (e.g., dificultad para leer) or 'con' when followed by a noun (e.g., dificultad con el dinero).

Yes, it is very common in both spoken and written Spanish across all levels of formality.

The final 'd' is very soft. It is pronounced by placing the tongue between the teeth, similar to the 'th' in 'this', but very lightly.

A common synonym is 'problema', but 'obstáculo' or 'impedimento' are also used depending on the context.

Yes, especially in the plural form 'dificultades', it often translates to 'troubles' or 'hardships'.

Yes, you will often see 'Nivel de dificultad' (Difficulty level) in the settings menu of games.

Yes, it is a near-perfect cognate of the English word 'difficulty', which makes it easy for English speakers to learn.

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