Meaning
Hard to do.
Cultural Background
Greeks often use 'Είναι δύσκολο' as a way to start a negotiation. It doesn't mean 'no', it means 'this will require effort/money/time'. In Cypriot dialect, you might hear 'Εν δύσκολο' instead of 'Είναι δύσκολο'. The usage remains identical for expressing hardship. Second-generation Greeks often use 'Είναι δύσκολο' when they struggle with the complex grammar of their heritage language. In a Greek office, saying 'Είναι δύσκολο' to a deadline is a signal that the team is overworked, rather than a lack of skill.
The 'Na' Rule
Always follow 'Είναι δύσκολο' with 'να' if you want to add a verb. It's the Greek equivalent of 'It's hard TO...'
Gender Check
If you are describing a specific object, check its gender! 'Ο καφές είναι δύσκολος' (if you mean the process of making it).
Meaning
Hard to do.
The 'Na' Rule
Always follow 'Είναι δύσκολο' with 'να' if you want to add a verb. It's the Greek equivalent of 'It's hard TO...'
Gender Check
If you are describing a specific object, check its gender! 'Ο καφές είναι δύσκολος' (if you mean the process of making it).
Softening the Blow
Add 'λίγο' (a bit) to make your 'Είναι δύσκολο' sound less discouraging in social settings.
The Greek 'No'
Remember that 'Είναι δύσκολο' is often a polite 'No'. Don't keep pushing if someone says this repeatedly!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'δύσκολος' for an impersonal statement.
Είναι ______ να μάθεις κινέζικα.
Impersonal statements always use the neuter singular form.
How do you say 'It was difficult' in the past?
______ δύσκολο το μάθημα χθες.
'Ήταν' is the past tense (imperfect) of 'είναι'.
Complete the dialogue with a polite refusal.
Φίλος: Θέλεις να πάμε για τρέξιμο; Εσύ: ______, είμαι πολύ κουρασμένος.
This is a common way to soften a refusal.
Match the Greek phrase to its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Focus on the modifiers and verb tenses.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use Είναι δύσκολο
Tasks
- • Homework
- • Work
- • Exercises
Life
- • Moving
- • Money
- • Relationships
Social
- • Refusals
- • Empathy
- • Hedges
Practice Bank
4 exercisesΕίναι ______ να μάθεις κινέζικα.
Impersonal statements always use the neuter singular form.
______ δύσκολο το μάθημα χθες.
'Ήταν' is the past tense (imperfect) of 'είναι'.
Φίλος: Θέλεις να πάμε για τρέξιμο; Εσύ: ______, είμαι πολύ κουρασμένος.
This is a common way to soften a refusal.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Focus on the modifiers and verb tenses.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, in informal speech, you can drop 'Είναι' and just say 'Δύσκολο...' while shaking your head.
Not at all. It is a neutral and very common way to describe reality.
The opposite is 'Είναι εύκολο' (It is easy).
Use 'Είναι πολύ δύσκολο' or 'Είναι υπερβολικά δύσκολο'.
Yes, but change the ending: 'Είναι δύσκολος άνθρωπος' (He is a difficult person).
No, for physical hardness, use 'σκληρό'. 'Είναι δύσκολο' is for difficulty.
'Δύσκολο' is the adjective for 'it'. 'Δύσκολα' is the adverb, used for 'I am doing poorly' (Περνάω δύσκολα).
Yes, 'Είναι πακέτο' is very common among young people.
Ήταν πολύ δύσκολο.
Yes, to describe a challenge you overcame.
Related Phrases
Είναι εύκολο
contrastIt is easy
Έχω δυσκολία
similarI have difficulty
Είναι ζόρικο
informalIt's tough
Είναι ακατόρθωτο
builds onIt is impossible
Δεν γίνεται
similarIt can't be done
