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"Rough" is an adjective which is often translated as "áspero", and "tough" is an adjective which is often translated as "duro". Learn more about the difference between "rough" and "tough" below.
rough(
ruhf
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (not smooth)
b. accidentado (terrain)
The island of Lanzarote has a rough landscape.La isla de Lanzarote tiene un paisaje accidentado.
2. (weather)
a. tormentoso
We can't take the boat out in this rough weather.No podemos sacar el bote con este tiempo tormentoso.
3. (turbulent)
a. agitado
With rough seas and high winds, the small port had to be closed.Con el mar agitado y vientos huracanados, el pequeño puerto debió ser cerrado.
b. encrespado
I wouldn't dare surf here with such rough sea.No me atrevería a hacer surf aquí con un mar tan encrespado.
c. embravecido
The sea was rough, and no fishing boats went out to fish.El mar estaba embravecido, y ningún pesquero salió a faenar.
a. aproximado
Do you have a rough idea of the number of clients coming today?¿Tienes una idea aproximada del número de clientes que vendrán hoy?
5. (unpleasant)
6. (rude)
7. (unwell)
a. indispuesto
If you're feeling rough, why don't you lie down for a while?Si te sientes indispuesto, ¿por qué no te echas un rato?
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!).
