뜻
With much struggle and effort, barely managing.
문화적 배경
In Brazil, 'a duras penas' is often linked to the 'batalhador' (the battler) archetype—someone from a humble background who succeeds through grit. In Portugal, the phrase can have a more stoic, fatalistic tone, reflecting the historical endurance of the people during maritime explorations or dictatorship. In post-colonial contexts, it is frequently used in political discourse to describe the difficult path to peace and stability. In Lusophone universities, defending a thesis is almost always described as being done 'a duras penas' to acknowledge the mental toll.
Journalism Hack
If you are writing an essay for a Portuguese exam (like Celpe-Bras), use this phrase to describe social progress or historical changes to sound more academic.
Plural Only!
Never say 'a dura pena'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating literally from another language.
뜻
With much struggle and effort, barely managing.
Journalism Hack
If you are writing an essay for a Portuguese exam (like Celpe-Bras), use this phrase to describe social progress or historical changes to sound more academic.
Plural Only!
Never say 'a dura pena'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating literally from another language.
Humility
Using this phrase about your own achievements shows humility—it acknowledges that you had to work hard and didn't just get lucky.
Placement
Place it at the end of the sentence for a natural flow, or at the start for dramatic effect.
셀프 테스트
Complete a frase com a expressão correta.
O montanhista chegou ao topo da montanha __________, pois estava sem oxigênio.
A expressão é fixa no plural e não leva crase.
Qual frase usa a expressão de forma natural?
Selecione a opção correta:
A expressão deve ser usada para grandes conquistas ou lutas prolongadas.
Complete o diálogo entre dois colegas de trabalho.
Ana: 'Você conseguiu terminar o relatório financeiro?' Carlos: 'Sim, __________.'
Carlos quer dizer que foi muito difícil terminar o relatório.
Combine a situação com a frase mais adequada.
Situação: Um país se recuperando de uma guerra longa.
Guerra envolve sofrimento e grande esforço de reconstrução.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제O montanhista chegou ao topo da montanha __________, pois estava sem oxigênio.
A expressão é fixa no plural e não leva crase.
Selecione a opção correta:
A expressão deve ser usada para grandes conquistas ou lutas prolongadas.
Ana: 'Você conseguiu terminar o relatório financeiro?' Carlos: 'Sim, __________.'
Carlos quer dizer que foi muito difícil terminar o relatório.
Situação: Um país se recuperando de uma guerra longa.
Guerra envolve sofrimento e grande esforço de reconstrução.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Mostly, but 'a duras penas' is much stronger. It implies suffering and a very narrow margin of success.
Yes, it's appropriate for formal reports or emails when describing a difficult but successful project.
It's an old linguistic structure referring to multiple punishments or 'pains' endured during a task.
The process is negative (hardship), but the result is usually positive (you achieved it).
Yes, it is equally common and understood in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Yes, starting with the phrase adds emphasis to the struggle.
The most common opposite is 'com facilidade' or the idiom 'com o pé nas costas'.
No, it is a formal/neutral idiom. It is never considered slang.
Not usually. It's for the 'pain' of effort, not a broken leg (unless you are walking a marathon with that leg).
No, it comes from the Latin word for punishment.
관련 표현
A duras custas
synonymAt a high cost/effort.
Vale a pena
similarIt's worth it.
Aos trancos e barrancos
similarBy fits and starts / clumsily.
Com o pé nas costas
contrastVery easily.
No sufoco
informalIn a tight spot / barely.
