vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Tough" is an adjective which is often translated as "duro", and "difficult" is an adjective which is often translated as "difícil". Learn more about the difference between "tough" and "difficult" below.
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!).
difficult(
dih
-
fih
-
kuhlt
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. difícil
This math exercise is too difficult for me.Este problema de matemática es muy difícil para mí.
b. complicado
It's a difficult situation when neither party is wrong.Es una situación complicada cuando ninguno de los lados está mal.
a. difícil
The teacher is patient with difficult kids.La maestra tiene paciencia con niños difíciles.
