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"Gentle" is an adjective which is often translated as "tierno", and "tough" is an adjective which is often translated as "duro". Learn more about the difference between "gentle" and "tough" below.
gentle(
jehn
-
tuhl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (tender)
a. tierno
Lyn's gentle smile helped her to make friends wherever she went.La tierna sonrisa de Lyn la ayudó a hacer amigos dondequiera que iba.
My little brother is very gentle with the lambs on our farm.Mi hermanito es muy tierno con los corderos en nuestra granja.
c. delicado
Joshua's gentle manner made him the children's favorite teacher.Las maneras delicadas de Joshua lo convirtieron en el profesor favorito de los niños.
d. manso
Our dog is so gentle that the only thing you need to be afraid of is his smothering you with kisses.Nuestro perro es tan manso que lo único que tienes que temer es que te ahogue de besos.
2. (mild)
a. suave
I use a gentle detergent so as not to irritate my skin.Uso un detergente suave para no irritar la piel.
b. discreto
She gave the students a gentle reminder to be on time.Les dio un recordatorio discreto a los estudiantes para que no llegaran tarde.
c. moderado
Daily gentle exercise is healthier than infrequent heavier exercise.Un ejercicio moderado diario es más saludable que un ejercicio más intenso e infrecuente.
3. (light)
a. ligero
Max gave his dog a gentle prod, and he jumped up into the car.Max le dio un ligero empujón a su perro que se metió de un salto en el carro.
b. suave
Sitting on the porch and sipping lemonade on a hot day and with a gentle breeze is like heaven.Sentarse en el porche en un día caluroso, con una suave brisa y bebiendo limonada es como estar en el cielo.
4. (old-fashioned) (noble)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
5. (to soften)
a. dulcificarse
The teacher's voice gentled as she tried to comfort the little boy.La voz de la maestra se dulcificó en su intento por consolar al niño.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
6. (to tame)
a. amansar
The cowboy stroked the nervous horse to gentle him.El vaquero acarició al nervioso caballo para amansarlo.
b. domesticar
We've been gentling a squirrel who now visits us daily for a little treat.Hemos estado domesticando a una ardilla que ahora nos visita a diario para que le demos algo.
tough(
tuhf
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (difficult)
a. fuerte
She's a tough lady. She won't let this discourage her.Es una mujer fuerte. No se dejará desanimar por esto.
3. (strict)
a. duro
The city council has decided to get tough with street gangs.El ayuntamiento ha decidido ponerse duro con las pandillas callejeras.
b. peligroso (neighborhood)
That's a tough part of town. I wouldn't live there.Es un barrio peligroso. Yo no viviría allí.
a. resistente
You need something tougher than flip-flops for hiking.Necesitas algo más resistente que unas chancletas para ir de caminata.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
7. (ruffian)
a. el matón (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
There was a gang of toughs outside the store, so I waited until they were gone.Había una pandilla de matones en la puerta de la tienda, así que esperé hasta que se marcharan.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. duro
You don't have to be a big strong man to act tough.No hace falta ser grandote y fuerte para hacerse el duro.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
