How would you say, "I didn't work as hard as I should have?"

Question

The part I don't know how to say is hard. I know that duro is hard as opposed to soft. And it wouldn't be dificil because it doesn't mean difficult. So, I am stumped. Would it be de firme? Or is there another way of arranging it so that the word hard is not really used in Spanish?

Also, whenever I put debo for "I should" or any variation into a translation engine, it does not show that it means should. Am I using it correctly if I say, "Debo ducharse." I should take a shower?

Thanks

• To address the second part of your question, 'deber' most accurately transliterates to 'ought to' in english. 'Debo ducharme' maps to 'I ought to shower'. - dykesje Feb 16, 2012

Answer 1

You don't even have to think about it..

Both in English and in Spanish one can "Study hard" so you didn't studied as "duro" as you should have

My grandma says "Estúdiale duro para que tengas el trabajo que quieras" ("Study hard so you can get any job you want")

Hope this helps you

Saludos Michoacanos!!!

• hahahaha.. I wrote "Didn't studied".. sorry!!!! *Didn't study - AlphaMichoac Feb 15, 2012

Answer 2

Debo = I must

Debería = I should

"I didn't work as hard as I should have (done)" = "No trabajé tan mucho tanto como debería hacer hecho"

But wait for confirmation from someone more knowledgeable.

• Everything you said is ok, except for the "tan mucho" part, that doesn't exist, try "tanto" (no estudié tanto ...) - AlphaMichoac Feb 15, 2012
• Aah! God, at times I could kick myself! Thanks! :-) - NickDan Feb 15, 2012
• No problem! see my comment? i just made my sister kick me... :D - AlphaMichoac Feb 15, 2012
• But does not "tanto como" exclude "duro" so that the sentence becomes in English "I did not work as I should have."? Where is the "duro" or 'hard' part? Estoy confudido. - xocoyote Feb 15, 2012
• @xocoyote: I'm just substituting "as much" for "as hard". In context they mean the same. - NickDan Feb 15, 2012
View 2 more commments >>

Answer 3

I think that duro can mean "hard" as in "hard work." I hear hispanoparlantes say Trabajo duro (= "I work hard" ) all the time. But the sentence really can be expanded to "I did not work as hard as I should have worked" or shortened to "I did not work as hard as I should."

So here is my beginner's attempt: No trabajé tan duro como debería haberlo.

But for "hard" we could also use mucho: No trabajé tanto mucho como debería haberlo.

"Arduously" could also substitute for "hard": No trabajé tan arduamente como debería haberlo.

"Diligently": No trabajé tan diligentemente como debería haberlo.

• Great!! but "mucho" isn't necessary after "tanto"... - AlphaMichoac Feb 15, 2012
• Okay. Voy a fijarla. - xocoyote Feb 15, 2012
• AlphaMichoacana: Tenemos que necesitar más hispanoparlantes fluentes como usted por (acerca?) aquí para corregir nuestra grámatica. - xocoyote Feb 15, 2012
• Recién me uní ayer, pero con gusto les ayudaré en lo que pueda... Para cualquier duda específica creo que existe aquí la opción de que me envíen un mensaje privado, no? - AlphaMichoac Feb 15, 2012
• Para mandar los mensajes privados a otros, abre el perfil de cualquier miembro, ver la frase "Mandar mensaje privado" al fondo, haga clic, tecle su mensaje. - xocoyote Feb 15, 2012