Siendo Dificil vs Estando Dificil

Question

On a quiz, I interpreted the phrase "Don't be difficult. Take the medicine." as "No este dificil. Tome la medicina.". It was marked wrong and the correction was to use the "ser" form of "to be". Wouldn't it be the "estar" form as it is referring to a specific instance that doesn't necessarily imply an ongoing personality trait? Note: The formal usage was required.

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Answer 1

The expression "to be difficult" (Ser difícil) where you're talking about people is technically correct, but not used very much. It would be (formal form) "No sea difícil" even if it is not seen as ongoing characteristic.

When you tell someone "Don't be difficult" you are saying "be reasonable" or something of that sort.

A more idiomatic SPANISH way of saying it would be. "¡No sea/s latoso/a!"--- Or saying something affirmative as "Sea razonable."

Well answered! Thanks! - TioBlancoLoco, Jul 2, 2016

No hay de que. - Daniela2041, Jul 2, 2016