Meaning
Used to describe something as hard or challenging.
Cultural Background
The French often use 'C'est pas facile' (It's not easy) as a way to avoid being too direct or dramatic about a problem. In Quebec, you might hear 'C'est de valeur' to express that something is difficult or a pity, though 'C'est difficile' remains standard. In many African French-speaking countries, 'C'est difficile' is used frequently to describe the 'coût de la vie' (cost of living). Swiss French speakers might use 'C'est l'ordre' or other regionalisms, but 'C'est difficile' is the universal academic standard.
The 'De' Rule
Always use 'de' if a verb follows. 'C'est difficile de danser.'
Picky People
Remember that 'Je suis difficile' is about your personality, not your current struggle!
Meaning
Used to describe something as hard or challenging.
The 'De' Rule
Always use 'de' if a verb follows. 'C'est difficile de danser.'
Picky People
Remember that 'Je suis difficile' is about your personality, not your current struggle!
Sound Native
Use 'C'est pas facile' to sound more like a local in casual conversation.
Polite No
If a French person says 'C'est difficile' to your request, they are likely saying 'No' politely.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition (de or à).
C'est difficile ___ parler français.
We use 'de' because the verb 'parler' follows the phrase directly.
Which sentence means 'I am a picky eater'?
Select the correct French translation.
When applied to a person, 'difficile' means picky or hard to please.
Match the French phrase with its English equivalent.
Match these:
These are the past, future, and present tenses of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu aimes ce livre ? B: Oui, mais il est ______ à lire.
'Difficile' fits the context of a book being challenging to read.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesC'est difficile ___ parler français.
We use 'de' because the verb 'parler' follows the phrase directly.
Select the correct French translation.
When applied to a person, 'difficile' means picky or hard to please.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the past, future, and present tenses of the phrase.
A: Tu aimes ce livre ? B: Oui, mais il est ______ à lire.
'Difficile' fits the context of a book being challenging to read.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions'Difficile' is for tasks and complexity. 'Dur' is for physical hardness or 'tough' situations. You can say 'C'est dur' for a hard day, but 'C'est difficile' for a hard math problem.
Yes, but it means they are 'picky' or 'hard to please'. 'Mon patron est difficile.'
Use 'de' before a verb ('C'est difficile de lire'). Use 'à' when the object is already known ('Ce livre est difficile à lire').
Use the imperfect tense: 'C'était difficile'.
It's both! Because it ends in 'e', it doesn't change for gender.
Yes, it's very neutral and safe for all situations.
Absolutely. Adding 'très' (very) is very common.
You can use 'ardu' or 'laborieux'.
No, it just means it requires effort. If it's impossible, say 'C'est impossible'.
Say 'Ce n'est pas difficile' or 'C'est facile'.
Related Phrases
C'est dur
synonymIt's hard
C'est compliqué
similarIt's complicated
C'est facile
contrastIt's easy
C'est ardu
specialized formIt's arduous
C'est pas de la tarte
idiomIt's not a piece of cake
