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A1 adjective #1,800 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

Difícil

Top 1,800

At the A1 level, 'difícil' is one of the first adjectives you learn. It is used in its most literal sense to describe tasks or activities that are not easy. Learners at this stage use it with the verb 'ser' in simple subject-verb-adjective constructions. For example, 'O teste é difícil' or 'Português é difícil'. The focus is on recognizing that it doesn't change for gender (o livro difícil, a lição difícil) and learning the basic plural form 'difíceis'. You will use it to express your immediate feelings about your learning process or daily chores. It is a vital tool for basic communication, allowing you to signal when you need help or when a task is beyond your current capability. Exercises at this level focus on simple sentence building and identifying the word in short texts. You should also learn its opposite, 'fácil', to create a balanced vocabulary. At A1, 'difícil' is a factual label for effort.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'difícil' in more varied sentence structures, including impersonal expressions like 'É difícil falar...' or 'Não é difícil chegar...'. You start to use it with prepositions, specifically 'de' to describe actions (difícil de entender). You also begin to apply the word to more social contexts, such as describing a 'dia difícil' at work or a 'caminho difícil' to a destination. The plural form 'difíceis' becomes more natural in your speech. You might also start using adverbs of intensity like 'um pouco difícil' or 'muito difícil'. At this stage, you are moving from just labeling things to describing experiences. You might also encounter the word in the context of giving directions or following simple instructions where something might be 'difícil de encontrar'. Your understanding of the word expands to include basic abstract concepts, not just physical or immediate tasks.

At the B1 level, 'difícil' is used to discuss opinions, hopes, and abstract problems. You can use it to describe people's personalities ('Ele é uma pessoa difícil') or complex situations ('Estamos em uma situação difícil'). You start to use the comparative 'mais difícil que' and the superlative 'o mais difícil'. You also become familiar with common phrases like 'fazer-se de difícil' (to play hard to get). Your ability to use 'difícil' in the subjunctive mood starts to develop, such as 'É difícil que ele venha' (It's unlikely/difficult that he will come). At this level, you can distinguish between 'difícil' and its synonyms like 'complicado' or 'trabalhoso' depending on the context. You use the word to provide nuance in conversations about work, society, and personal relationships. It becomes a tool for expressing degree and complexity in your narrative and descriptive speech.

At the B2 level, you use 'difícil' with a high degree of precision and can handle its use in more formal or academic contexts. You might use the absolute superlative 'dificílimo' to add emphasis. You understand the subtle difference between 'um trabalho difícil' and 'uma difícil tarefa', recognizing how word order can change the tone. You can use 'difícil' to discuss complex socio-political issues or technical challenges in your field of expertise. You are comfortable using the word in complex sentence structures involving multiple clauses. You also start to recognize 'difícil' in idiomatic expressions and can use it to convey irony or understatement. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you don't over-rely on 'difícil', choosing 'árduo', 'complexo', or 'espinhoso' when appropriate. You can participate in debates where 'difícil' is used to qualify arguments or describe the feasibility of projects.

At the C1 level, your use of 'difícil' is sophisticated and context-aware. You recognize its use in literature and high-level journalism, where it might describe 'tempos difíceis' (difficult times) in a historical or philosophical sense. You understand the emotional weight the word can carry in different Lusophone cultures. You can use 'difícil' to express subtle shades of meaning, such as the difficulty of a moral dilemma or the intricate nature of a legal case. You are fully aware of the word's etymology and its relationship to other words in the 'dificuldade' family. You can use the word to create rhetorical effects in speeches or written essays. At this level, you also master the use of 'difícil' in hypothetical scenarios and complex conditional sentences. You can discuss the 'difícil' nature of abstract concepts like truth, justice, or beauty with ease and precision.

At the C2 level, 'difícil' is a tool you wield with complete mastery, almost like a native speaker. You understand its every nuance, from the most colloquial slang to the most formal academic usage. You can appreciate and use the word in poetry or complex prose, where it might be used to evoke a specific atmosphere or internal state. You are aware of regional variations in how 'difícil' is used across the Portuguese-speaking world (e.g., Brazil vs. Portugal vs. Angola). You can use the word to engage in deep philosophical discussions or to analyze complex literary texts. Your understanding of the word is so deep that you can use it to play with language, using puns or double meanings. For a C2 learner, 'difícil' is no longer just a vocabulary word; it is a versatile element of a rich linguistic repertoire that allows for the expression of the most subtle and complex human thoughts and emotions.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

Difícil en 30 secondes

Difícil means difficult or hard in Portuguese.
It is gender-neutral (same for masculine and feminine).
The plural form is 'difíceis'.
It is the direct antonym of 'fácil' (easy).

The word difícil is a fundamental adjective in the Portuguese language, primarily used to describe something that requires significant effort, skill, or endurance to accomplish or understand. At its core, it is the direct equivalent of the English words 'difficult' or 'hard'. Whether you are talking about a mathematical equation, a physical task, or a complex emotional situation, 'difícil' is your go-to term. Unlike many Portuguese adjectives, 'difícil' is uniform in gender, meaning it does not change whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine. This makes it particularly accessible for beginners (A1 level) as they navigate the complexities of Portuguese grammar.

Core Concept: The essence of 'difícil' lies in the presence of obstacles. It suggests that the path to a goal is not straightforward and will demand resources—be they intellectual, physical, or temporal.

Este exercício de matemática é muito difícil.

In a broader sense, 'difícil' can also describe a person's character or temperament. A 'pessoa difícil' is someone who is hard to please, stubborn, or complex to deal with. This nuance is important as you progress to higher CEFR levels, where the word moves beyond simple tasks into the realm of human psychology and social dynamics. The word carries a weight of resistance; it implies that the subject at hand cannot be dealt with lightly. In everyday conversation, you will hear it used to express frustration, to set expectations, or to acknowledge the merit in overcoming a challenge.

Semantic Range: From 'hard to do' (tarefa difícil) to 'hard to understand' (conceito difícil) and 'hard to endure' (vida difícil).

É difícil acreditar que o verão já acabou.

Viver em outro país pode ser difícil no início.

Ele tem um gênio muito difícil.

Phonetic Note: The stress is on the second syllable 'fí', marked by the acute accent. In the plural 'difíceis', the stress remains on the 'fí'.

As perguntas da prova foram muito difíceis.

Using difícil correctly involves understanding its placement in a sentence and its pluralization. As an adjective, it typically follows the noun it modifies, though it can precede it for poetic or emphatic effect. One of the most common ways to use 'difícil' is with the verb 'ser' (to be) to describe a state or quality. For example, 'O trabalho é difícil' (The work is difficult). It can also be used impersonally: 'É difícil aprender português' (It is difficult to learn Portuguese). In this impersonal construction, 'é difícil' is followed directly by an infinitive verb.

Grammatical Agreement: While 'difícil' doesn't change for gender, it must agree in number. The plural of 'difícil' is 'difíceis'. This is a common pattern for words ending in '-il' where the stress is not on the last syllable.

Estes problemas são difíceis de resolver.

Another important aspect is the use of prepositions. When you want to say something is difficult *to do*, you use the preposition 'de'. For instance, 'Este livro é difícil de ler' (This book is difficult to read). If you are referring to a person for whom something is difficult, you use 'para'. 'Isso é difícil para mim' (That is difficult for me). Understanding these small connectors is what separates a beginner from an intermediate speaker. Furthermore, 'difícil' can be modified by adverbs of intensity like 'muito' (very), 'bastante' (quite), or 'extremamente' (extremely) to provide more detail about the level of challenge.

Impersonal Expressions: Use 'É difícil + [infinitive]' to make general statements about difficulty without a specific subject.

É difícil saber o que vai acontecer amanhã.

Não é difícil chegar lá de ônibus.

A situação tornou-se difícil para todos.

Comparative and Superlative: To say 'more difficult', use 'mais difícil'. To say 'the most difficult', use 'o/a mais difícil'. For 'very difficult', you can also use 'dificílimo'.

Esta é a parte mais difícil do projeto.

You will encounter the word difícil in almost every conceivable context in Lusophone cultures. In educational settings, students frequently use it to describe exams, subjects, or homework. 'A prova de física foi muito difícil!' is a sentiment shared by students from Lisbon to Luanda to São Paulo. In the professional world, it is used to discuss projects, negotiations, or market conditions. Managers might talk about a 'decisão difícil' (difficult decision) or a 'momento difícil' (difficult moment) for the company. It is a word that acknowledges reality without necessarily being pessimistic.

In the Media: News reports often use 'difícil' to describe socio-economic situations, diplomatic relations, or rescue operations. It provides a factual assessment of complexity.

O governo enfrenta uma fase difícil na economia.

In social and personal contexts, 'difícil' is used to express empathy or to describe interpersonal struggles. If a friend is going through a breakup, you might say, 'Eu sei que é difícil' (I know it's hard). It is also a staple in Portuguese music and literature, particularly in 'Fado' or Brazilian 'Samba-Canção', where it often describes the 'difícil' nature of love and longing (saudade). In these artistic contexts, the word takes on a more soulful, almost beautiful quality, suggesting that the difficulty is a necessary part of the human experience. You'll also hear it in sports commentary, describing a 'jogo difícil' (hard game) against a tough opponent.

Everyday Idioms: Phrases like 'fazer-se de difícil' (to play hard to get) are common in dating and social interactions.

Ela não quer sair comigo, está se fazendo de difícil.

Foi uma escolha difícil, mas necessária.

O acesso à montanha é muito difícil no inverno.

Pop Culture: In Brazilian soap operas (novelas), 'difícil' is a keyword for dramatic tension between characters or within families.

Vencer o campeonato este ano será muito difícil.

One of the most frequent errors learners make with difícil is attempting to change its ending based on gender. Because many Portuguese adjectives end in '-o' (masculine) or '-a' (feminine), students often mistakenly say 'uma tarefa difícil' (correct) vs 'um trabalho difícilo' (incorrect). Remember: 'difícil' is a 'two-gender' adjective, meaning the form remains the same for both. Another common pitfall is the plural form. Learners often try to say 'difícils' or 'difíciles', but the correct plural is 'difíceis'. This requires dropping the 'l' and adding 'is', while maintaining the accent on the 'í'.

The 'Duro' vs 'Difícil' Trap: In English, 'hard' can mean both 'difficult' and 'solid/firm'. In Portuguese, 'duro' refers to physical hardness (like a rock), while 'difícil' refers to complexity or effort. Don't say 'o exame foi duro' unless you mean the paper was physically tough to touch!

Errado: A prova foi difícila. Correto: A prova foi difícil.

Preposition usage is another area where mistakes occur. English speakers often want to use 'para' where 'de' is required. While 'difícil para mim' (difficult for me) is correct, 'difícil para fazer' is usually better expressed as 'difícil de fazer' (difficult to do). Additionally, be careful with the accent. Without the acute accent on the 'í', the word would be pronounced differently and would not be a recognized word in Portuguese. The accent is crucial for both spelling and pronunciation. Finally, avoid using 'difícil' when you mean 'rare'. While something rare might be 'difícil de encontrar', the word 'difícil' itself doesn't mean 'rare'.

Pluralization Error: Incorrect: Problemas difícils. Correct: Problemas difíceis.

Errado: É difícil para entender. Correto: É difícil de entender.

Esta carne está dura (physical), mas o cozimento foi difícil (effort).

As lições são difíceis, não 'difíciles'.

Word Order: Putting 'difícil' before the noun is not 'wrong', but it changes the emphasis. Stick to [Noun] + difícil for standard descriptions.

Ele é um homem difícil (standard) vs. Ele é um difícil homem (poetic/rare).

While difícil is the most common word for 'hard', Portuguese offers several synonyms that can add precision to your speech. 'Complicado' is perhaps the most frequent alternative, often used when something is not just hard, but has many confusing parts or 'layers'. 'Árduo' is a more formal and intense synonym, typically used for physical labor or long-term struggles (like an 'árdua tarefa'). 'Complexo' is used when the difficulty arises from intricate details or a high level of sophistication, often in academic or technical contexts.

Difícil vs. Complicado: 'Difícil' implies effort; 'Complicado' implies confusion. You can have a 'difícil' task that is very simple in steps but requires a lot of strength.

A situação política é muito complexa.

Other words include 'penoso', which suggests a difficulty that causes suffering or pain, and 'trabalhoso', which literally means 'full of work' and is used for tasks that are time-consuming rather than intellectually challenging. On the opposite side, 'fácil' is the direct antonym. 'Simples' is another antonym, used when something lacks complexity. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the right word for the right situation. For example, a marathon is 'árdua' and 'difícil', but a relationship might be 'complicada'. A math problem might be 'complexa', while cleaning a whole house alone is 'trabalhoso'.

Synonym Comparison: Árduo (intense/formal) > Difícil (standard) > Complicado (messy/confusing) > Trabalhoso (labor-intensive).

Foi um trabalho trabalhoso, mas terminamos a tempo.

Subir a montanha foi uma tarefa árdua.

O manual de instruções é muito confuso.

Antonyms: Fácil (easy), Simples (simple), Elementar (elementary), Acessível (accessible).

A solução foi surpreendentemente simples.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Informel

Argot

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

O dever de casa é difícil.

The homework is difficult.

Simple adjective use with 'ser'.

Português não é difícil.

Portuguese is not difficult.

Negative sentence with 'não'.

A prova é muito difícil?

Is the exam very difficult?

Interrogative sentence.

Este jogo é difícil.

This game is difficult.

Demonstrative pronoun 'este'.

A pergunta é difícil.

The question is difficult.

Feminine noun with 'difícil' (no change).

Ler este livro é difícil.

Reading this book is difficult.

Infinitive verb as subject.

O caminho é difícil.

The path is difficult.

Noun-adjective agreement.

É difícil entender você.

It is difficult to understand you.

Impersonal 'É difícil'.

É difícil de encontrar esta rua.

It is difficult to find this street.

Use of 'de' before infinitive.

Tive um dia muito difícil no trabalho.

I had a very difficult day at work.

Adjective modifying 'dia' (masculine).

As questões do teste foram difíceis.

The test questions were difficult.

Plural form 'difíceis'.

Não é difícil cozinhar arroz.

It is not difficult to cook rice.

Impersonal negative construction.

Para mim, matemática é difícil.

For me, math is difficult.

Use of 'para mim' to express opinion.

O exercício de hoje foi mais difícil.

Today's exercise was more difficult.

Comparative 'mais difícil'.

É difícil acordar cedo no inverno.

It is difficult to wake up early in winter.

Impersonal expression with time context.

Eles moram em um lugar difícil de chegar.

They live in a place that is difficult to get to.

Adjective phrase modifying 'lugar'.

Ele é uma pessoa muito difícil de lidar.

He is a very difficult person to deal with.

Describing personality.

Foi uma decisão difícil para a família.

It was a difficult decision for the family.

Abstract noun 'decisão'.

É difícil que eles cheguem a tempo.

It is unlikely/difficult that they will arrive on time.

Subjunctive mood after 'É difícil que'.

A vida nas grandes cidades está cada vez mais difícil.

Life in big cities is getting more and more difficult.

Expression 'cada vez mais'.

Ela se faz de difícil, mas gosta dele.

She plays hard to get, but she likes him.

Idiom 'fazer-se de difícil'.

O mais difícil já passou.

The most difficult part is already over.

Superlative used as a noun.

É difícil explicar o que eu sinto.

It is difficult to explain what I feel.

Expressing abstract emotions.

Tivemos que passar por momentos difíceis.

We had to go through difficult moments.

Plural adjective with abstract noun.

A negociação tornou-se difícil devido aos prazos.

The negotiation became difficult due to the deadlines.

Formal verb 'tornar-se'.

O autor utiliza uma linguagem difícil e rebuscada.

The author uses a difficult and sophisticated language.

Describing style/register.

É difícil conciliar o trabalho com os estudos.

It is difficult to balance work with studies.

Verb 'conciliar'.

Encontramos uma solução para esse difícil problema.

We found a solution to this difficult problem.

Adjective before the noun for emphasis.

O acesso à saúde é difícil em áreas remotas.

Access to healthcare is difficult in remote areas.

Social/Political context.

Foi dificílimo convencer o diretor.

It was extremely difficult to convince the director.

Absolute superlative 'dificílimo'.

A situação econômica é difícil de prever.

The economic situation is difficult to predict.

Predictive context.

É difícil ignorar os sinais de mudança climática.

It is difficult to ignore the signs of climate change.

Complex impersonal statement.

A obra de Saramago pode ser difícil para leitores iniciantes.

Saramago's work can be difficult for beginner readers.

Literary reference.

É difícil precisar o momento em que tudo mudou.

It is difficult to specify the moment when everything changed.

Verb 'precisar' (to specify).

Vivemos tempos difíceis, onde a verdade é questionada.

We live in difficult times, where truth is questioned.

Philosophical/Social commentary.

A difícil convivência entre as duas facções gerou conflitos.

The difficult coexistence between the two factions generated conflicts.

Adjective preceding noun in formal prose.

Seria difícil encontrar alguém tão dedicado quanto ela.

It would be difficult to find someone as dedicated as her.

Conditional mood 'seria'.

O conceito de 'saudade' é difícil de traduzir.

The concept of 'saudade' is difficult to translate.

Linguistic/Cultural nuance.

A prova de admissão foi de uma dificuldade difícil de mensurar.

The admission test was of a difficulty hard to measure.

Complex noun-adjective relationship.

Torna-se difícil sustentar essa tese diante dos novos fatos.

It becomes difficult to sustain this thesis in light of the new facts.

Academic register.

A ontologia heideggeriana apresenta um texto notoriamente difícil.

Heideggerian ontology presents a notoriously difficult text.

High academic register.

É difícil não sucumbir ao pessimismo nestas circunstâncias.

It is difficult not to succumb to pessimism in these circumstances.

Double negative for emphasis.

A difícil arte de governar exige sacrifícios pessoais.

The difficult art of governing requires personal sacrifices.

Metaphorical use.

O equilíbrio entre liberdade e segurança é um nó difícil de desatar.

The balance between freedom and security is a difficult knot to untie.

Idiomatic metaphor.

Raramente se viu uma conjuntura tão difícil quanto a atual.

Rarely has such a difficult situation been seen as the current one.

Inverted sentence structure for formal effect.

A tradução de poesia é um exercício difícil e, por vezes, inglório.

Poetry translation is a difficult and, at times, thankless exercise.

Nuanced descriptive adjectives.

É difícil sobreestimar a importância deste achado arqueológico.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of this archaeological find.

Rhetorical construction 'difícil sobreestimar'.

A subjetividade humana torna difícil qualquer análise puramente objetiva.

Human subjectivity makes any purely objective analysis difficult.

Complex philosophical statement.

Collocations courantes

Trabalho difícil

Prova difícil

Decisão difícil

Momento difícil

Pessoa difícil

Escolha difícil

Tarefa difícil

Linguagem difícil

Acesso difícil

Caminho difícil

Phrases Courantes

É difícil saber.

Não é difícil.

Muito difícil.

Um pouco difícil.

Fazer-se de difícil.

Tempos difíceis.

Difícil de dizer.

Difícil de fazer.

Nada difícil.

Tão difícil quanto.

Souvent confondu avec

Difícil vs Duro (physical hardness)

Difícil vs Dificuldade (noun)

Difícil vs Dificilmente (adverb)

Expressions idiomatiques

Facile à confondre

Difícil vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

gender

No change between masculine and feminine.

plural

Irregular plural: difíceis.

preposition

Often used with 'de' (difficult to) or 'para' (difficult for).

Erreurs courantes

Saying 'difícila' for feminine nouns.
Using 'difícils' as the plural.
Confusing 'difícil' (adj) with 'dificuldade' (noun).
Using 'duro' for a difficult exam.
Forgetting the accent on the 'í'.

Astuces

Gender Neutrality

Remember that 'difícil' doesn't change for gender. This is a common mistake for beginners who try to add an 'a' at the end for feminine nouns.

The Accent Matters

The acute accent on the 'í' tells you exactly where to put the stress. Make sure to emphasize that syllable: di-FÍ-cil.

Learn the Pair

Always learn 'difícil' alongside 'fácil'. Knowing opposites helps your brain categorize and retrieve words much faster.

Impersonal Phrases

Master the phrase 'É difícil...'. It's a great way to start sentences when you want to express an opinion about an action.

Plural Spelling

Pay close attention to the spelling of 'difíceis'. The transition from '-il' to '-eis' is a common pattern for many Portuguese adjectives.

Complaining Politely

Using 'tá difícil' is a socially acceptable way to vent in Brazil. It builds rapport through shared struggle.

Synonym Variety

Once you reach B1, try using 'complicado' or 'complexo' to sound more like a native speaker and add variety to your speech.

Final L Sound

In Brazilian songs, the final 'l' in 'difícil' will sound like a 'u'. Don't let this confuse you; it's the same word.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant mountain with the word 'DIFÍCIL' written on it. This visual will help you remember the meaning of effort.

Intonation for Emphasis

You can stretch the 'í' sound to show just how hard something was: 'Foi di-fííí-cil!'

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Latin

Contexte culturel

Used frequently to describe social challenges.

Commonly used in the expression 'Tá difícil!' as a general complaint.

Often used in formal contexts; 'complicado' is preferred in casual speech.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"Qual foi a coisa mais difícil que você já fez?"

"Você acha que português é difícil?"

"O que é mais difícil: cozinhar ou limpar?"

"É difícil aprender a dirigir?"

"Por que é tão difícil acordar cedo?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreva um dia difícil que você teve recentemente.

O que torna uma pessoa 'difícil' na sua opinião?

Escreva sobre um objetivo difícil que você quer alcançar.

É difícil manter o foco hoje em dia? Por quê?

Reflita sobre a frase: 'O que é difícil vale a pena'.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, 'difícil' is a uniform adjective. You say 'o livro difícil' and 'a lição difícil'. It remains the same regardless of the gender of the noun it describes.

The plural is 'difíceis'. You drop the '-il' and add '-eis'. Note that the accent on the 'í' remains to maintain the correct pronunciation.

Generally, no. 'Duro' refers to physical hardness (like a rock). 'Difícil' refers to the effort or complexity of a task. However, in some contexts, 'duro' can mean 'harsh' or 'tough'.

Yes, it is extremely common and one of the first 500 words you should learn in Portuguese. It is used daily in almost all contexts.

You can say 'muito difícil' or use the absolute superlative form 'dificílimo'. Both are correct, but 'dificílimo' is more emphatic.

Use 'de' when followed by a verb (difícil de fazer) and 'para' when followed by a person (difícil para mim).

Yes, a 'pessoa difícil' is someone who is hard to get along with or has a complex personality.

Usually, yes. 'Um problema difícil' is standard. Placing it before, like 'um difícil problema', is more formal or literary.

The meaning and grammar are identical. The only difference is the pronunciation of the final 'l' (vocalized as 'u' in Brazil, velarized in Portugal).

The opposite is 'fácil', which means 'easy'. Like 'difícil', 'fácil' is also gender-neutral and its plural is 'fáceis'.