What is difficult? Pronunciation and usage in English

difficult means . Learn how to pronounce and use difficult through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of difficult

difficultadjective

/ˈdɪfɪklt/
Definition & pronunciation of difficult

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "difficult" in English. It's a common stumbling block for non-native speakers! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "difficult" is broken down into three syllables:

  • di (like the beginning of "dinner")
  • fi (like the beginning of "fish")
  • cult (rhymes with "salt")

2. Phonetic Breakdown (using IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet - which is the most accurate way):

  • di: /dɪ/ (a short, quick "i" sound, as in "bit")
  • fi: /fɪ/ (a short, quick "i" sound, as in "fit")
  • cult: /kʌlt/ (This is the trickiest part!)
    • k: as in "kite"
    • uh: a short, neutral vowel sound, like "uh" in "water" (but shorter)
    • lt: sounds like "lt" in "light"

3. Putting it together:

So, the full pronunciation is: /dɪˈfɪˌkʌlt/

4. A more descriptive breakdown for non-IPA speakers:

  • di: Say "dee" quickly.
  • fi: Say "fee" quickly.
  • cult: This is where many people struggle. It's almost like you're saying "cult" but softening the "u" sound a little and adding a slight "uh" in between. Think of a very light, quick "uh" sound attached to "cult." It’s not a clear "uh," it's more like a brief pause or a slight reduction of the vowel.

5. Tips for getting it right:

  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it. Search on YouTube for “how to pronounce difficult” and listen to several examples. Pay attention to how the second syllable ("fi") is pronounced – it's not a long "fee."
  • Slow it down: Practice saying each syllable separately, and then slowly blend them together.
  • Don't overemphasize the second "i": It's a short, quick sound.
  • Focus on the "cult" part: This is the key to getting it right.

Resources for Hearing Pronunciation:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using "difficult"?
  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?

Usage and examples with the word difficult in English

Let's break down how to use the word "difficult" in English. It's a very common word, but it can have slightly different nuances depending on how you use it.

1. As an Adjective (Describing something challenging):

This is the most common use. "Difficult" describes something that requires effort, skill, or patience to do.

  • Example: "This math problem is difficult." (It's hard to solve.)
  • Example: "Learning to play the piano is difficult." (It takes time and practice.)
  • Example: “The terrain was difficult to navigate.” (The path was challenging.)

2. As an Adjective (Describing a person – often with a negative connotation):

When used to describe a person, "difficult" usually implies they are challenging to deal with – potentially stubborn, demanding, or unpleasant. Be careful with this usage because it can be perceived as judgmental.

  • Example: “He’s a difficult customer.” (He’s demanding and hard to please.) This is often used in a business context.
  • Example: “She can be a difficult person to get along with.” (She's challenging to be friends with.)
  • Important Note: There are often more constructive ways to describe someone who is challenging, like “demanding,” “opinionated,” or “challenging.”

3. As an Adverb (Describing how something is done):

Here, "difficultly" refers to the state of having trouble.

  • Example: “He faced many difficulties during his journey.” (He experienced many problems.)
  • Example: “She overcame great difficulties to achieve her goals.” (She dealt with significant challenges.)
  • Example: "There's a difficultly with the shipment." (There's a problem with the shipment.)

4. Phrases using "Difficult":

  • Difficult to say: Meaning it's hard to express something, often because it's sensitive or uncomfortable.
    • “It's difficult to say how I feel about it.”
  • Difficult to do: Meaning requiring a lot of effort.
    • “It’s difficult to do without help.”
  • Difficult problem: A complex or challenging problem.
  • Difficult situation: A challenging or troublesome situation.

Tips for Using "Difficult" Effectively:

  • Be specific: Instead of just saying something is "difficult," try to explain why it’s difficult. For example, “It’s difficult because the instructions are unclear.”
  • Consider alternatives: Sometimes, words like “challenging,” “complex,” “complicated,” “arduous,” or “tough” can be better choices, especially when describing people.
  • Context is key: The meaning of "difficult" changes based on the situation.

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Usage Part of Speech Meaning Example
General Challenge Adjective Requires effort or skill "This test was difficult."
People Adjective Challenging to deal with (often negative) "He's a difficult colleague."
Process/State Adverb Experiencing trouble "She faced many difficulties during the project."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to say with the word "difficult"? (e.g., are you describing an object, a task, a person, or a situation?)

Synonyms for the word difficult

Idioms of the word difficult

have a (hard/difficult) job doing/to do something
to have difficulty doing something
  • You'll have a job convincing them that you're right.
  • He had a hard job to make himself heard.

Practice with vocabulary difficult

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

For each sentence, choose the most appropriate word to fill in the blank.

  1. The advanced concepts in the research paper presented a __________ challenge for the undergraduate students.
  2. Although the team faced a __________ deadline, they managed to deliver the prototype ahead of schedule.
  3. Solving the complex mathematical problem proved to be extremely __________, requiring several hours of focused effort.
  4. The new regulations contained several __________ clauses that only legal experts could fully interpret.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

For each question, select all options that correctly complete the sentence. There may be more than one correct answer.

  1. Navigating the bureaucratic process for permit approval was far more __________ than we had anticipated. A. facile B. straightforward C. complicated D. difficult

  2. Despite the __________ economic conditions, the company managed to achieve record profits. A. effortless B. advantageous C. adverse D. challenging

  3. The climb to the summit of the mountain was extremely __________, testing the endurance of even the most experienced hikers. A. strenuous B. smooth C. arduous D. simple

  4. Developing a robust cybersecurity system for the entire network is a highly __________ undertaking. A. trivial B. undemanding C. difficult D. easy

  5. The intricate details of the ancient tapestry made it a __________ piece of art to restore. A. complex B. effortless C. simple D. tricky

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions provided, maintaining the original meaning.

  1. It was not easy for the new employees to grasp the company's proprietary software quickly.

    • Rewrite the sentence using "difficult".

  2. The task of securing the necessary funding for the startup required a lot of effort.

    • Rewrite the sentence using a form of "difficult".

  3. Dealing with the unexpected technical issues during the live broadcast was quite hard.

    • Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word for "hard", but do not use "difficult".

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. difficult
  2. demanding
  3. difficult
  4. intricate

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C. complicated, D. difficult
  2. C. adverse, D. challenging
  3. A. strenuous, C. arduous
  4. C. difficult
  5. A. complex, D. tricky

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. It was difficult for the new employees to grasp the company's proprietary software quickly. / The new employees found it difficult to grasp the company's proprietary software quickly.
  2. The task of securing the necessary funding for the startup was difficult. / Securing the necessary funding for the startup proved to be difficult.
  3. Dealing with the unexpected technical issues during the live broadcast was quite challenging.

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