In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe goals reached through intense struggle and effort.
- Best suited for formal writing, speeches, or professional milestones.
- Emphasizes the difficulty of the journey over the final result.
Meaning
This phrase describes something that was achieved with great effort or difficulty. It emphasizes that the goal was not easy to reach and required significant struggle.
Key Examples
3 of 6Writing a formal report
O sucesso do projeto foi um resultado não dificilmente alcançado pela equipe.
The project's success was a result not hardly achieved by the team.
A graduation speech
Este diploma é um sonho não dificilmente alcançado por todos nós.
This diploma is a dream not hardly achieved by all of us.
Discussing a sports victory
Foi uma vitória não dificilmente alcançada, após noventa minutos de jogo intenso.
It was a victory not hardly achieved, after ninety minutes of intense play.
Cultural Background
This phrase reflects the Lusophone appreciation for 'superação' (overcoming). It is deeply rooted in a literary tradition that values complex sentence structures to convey gravity. It celebrates the 'batalhador'—the person who fights hard for every inch of progress.
The Double Negative Trap
In English, 'not hardly' sounds like a mistake. In Portuguese, this specific structure is a stylistic choice to emphasize the 'hardly' part. It's sophisticated, not ungrammatical!
Don't Overuse It
If you use this for every small task, you'll sound like you're trying too hard to be an intellectual. Save it for the 'big' moments.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe goals reached through intense struggle and effort.
- Best suited for formal writing, speeches, or professional milestones.
- Emphasizes the difficulty of the journey over the final result.
What It Means
This expression is a bit of a double negative in spirit. It emphasizes the struggle behind an achievement. When you say something was não dificilmente alcançado, you mean it was tough. It wasn't a walk in the park. You likely sweat, cried, or lost sleep over it. It highlights the grit required for the result.
How To Use It
Use it when you want to sound a bit more sophisticated. It often appears in writing or formal speeches. You place it after the noun you are describing. For example, talk about a vitória não dificilmente alcançada. It sounds more poetic than just saying it was hard. It adds a layer of respect to the effort made.
When To Use It
Use it during a graduation speech or a business review. It works well when reflecting on long-term projects. Use it when you want to impress your boss. It’s perfect for describing a hard-won sports title. It also fits in a heartfelt letter to a mentor. It shows you value the journey, not just the win.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this while ordering a pizza. It’s too heavy for trivial daily tasks. Avoid it in casual texts with your best friends. They might think you're reading a 19th-century novel. Don't use it for things that actually were easy. That would just be confusing or sarcastic in a weird way. Keep it for the big milestones.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers love a bit of drama in their formal language. This phrase stems from a tradition of eloquent rhetoric. It reflects a culture that respects the 'suor' (sweat) behind success. In Brazil and Portugal, overcoming obstacles is a major narrative theme. This phrase captures that 'batalhador' (struggler) spirit perfectly. It’s about the dignity found in the struggle.
Common Variations
Alcançado com muito custo(Reached with much cost)Dificilmente conquistado(Hardly conquered)Obtido a duras penas(Obtained through hard pains)Não sem dificuldade(Not without difficulty)Fruto de muito esforço(Fruit of much effort)
Usage Notes
This is a high-register collocation. It is almost exclusively found in written texts, formal oratory, or when someone is being intentionally dramatic or ironic.
The Double Negative Trap
In English, 'not hardly' sounds like a mistake. In Portuguese, this specific structure is a stylistic choice to emphasize the 'hardly' part. It's sophisticated, not ungrammatical!
Don't Overuse It
If you use this for every small task, you'll sound like you're trying too hard to be an intellectual. Save it for the 'big' moments.
The 'Batalhador' Spirit
Brazilians especially love the word 'batalha' (battle). Using this phrase acknowledges that life is a struggle, which is a very relatable sentiment in Brazil.
Examples
6O sucesso do projeto foi um resultado não dificilmente alcançado pela equipe.
The project's success was a result not hardly achieved by the team.
Here it emphasizes the collective grind of the department.
Este diploma é um sonho não dificilmente alcançado por todos nós.
This diploma is a dream not hardly achieved by all of us.
Adds emotional weight to the years of studying.
Foi uma vitória não dificilmente alcançada, após noventa minutos de jogo intenso.
It was a victory not hardly achieved, after ninety minutes of intense play.
Highlights the physical exhaustion of the athletes.
Parabéns pelo cargo, sei que foi um objetivo não dificilmente alcançado!
Congrats on the position, I know it was a goal not hardly achieved!
A bit formal for a text, but shows high respect.
Finalmente terminei de lavar a louça, um triunfo não dificilmente alcançado.
I finally finished the dishes, a triumph not hardly achieved.
Using formal language for chores creates a funny, ironic effect.
A independência foi um marco não dificilmente alcançado pela nação.
Independence was a milestone not hardly achieved by the nation.
Standard academic or historical usage.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to complete the formal sentiment.
A paz foi um estado ___ dificilmente alcançado após anos de conflito.
The phrase 'não dificilmente alcançado' is a set expression meaning it was achieved with great effort.
Which noun best fits this formal description of effort?
O título de mestre foi um ___ não dificilmente alcançado.
You achieve an 'objetivo' (goal), not a snack or sleep, in this context of hard work.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Scale of Achievement Phrases
Used with friends
Consegui na raça!
Standard daily use
Foi difícil, mas consegui.
Speeches and writing
Não dificilmente alcançado.
Where to use 'Não Dificilmente Alcançado'
Academic Thesis
Describing the research process
Business Merger
Closing a tough deal
Political Speech
Passing a new law
Personal Memoir
Overcoming an illness
Practice Bank
2 exercisesA paz foi um estado ___ dificilmente alcançado após anos de conflito.
The phrase 'não dificilmente alcançado' is a set expression meaning it was achieved with great effort.
O título de mestre foi um ___ não dificilmente alcançado.
You achieve an 'objetivo' (goal), not a snack or sleep, in this context of hard work.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt means it was very hard. Even though it says 'não' (not), the phrase emphasizes the difficulty of the achievement.
It's better not to. It sounds quite stiff and literary. Stick to foi difícil if you're just chatting with friends.
Yes, it is used in both Portugal and Brazil, primarily in formal writing, journalism, and legal contexts.
Yes, it is a perfectly valid, albeit sophisticated, adjectival phrase used to qualify a noun like vitória or meta.
The closest equivalent is 'hard-won' or 'achieved with great difficulty.' It's more about the weight of the effort.
No, it usually describes nouns like sucesso, objetivo, or resultado. You wouldn't call a person não dificilmente alcançado.
It's a rhetorical device. It suggests that the difficulty was so present that it cannot be ignored or denied.
Yes, especially in end-of-year summaries or when announcing a major milestone to shareholders.
Yes, but adding the não makes it more emphatic and formal. It's the difference between 'hard to get' and 'not easily won'.
Using it for something that happened by luck. This phrase implies intentional, grueling effort, not a lucky break.
Related Phrases
A duras penas
Com muito suor
Suado
Conquistado a ferro e fogo
Custo elevado
