dificultad
nounCEFR B2
What does “dificultad” mean in English?
difficulty, hardship
difficulty, hardship (a problem or challenging condition; con dificultad; dificultades económicas)
Example sentences
Las dificultades económicas que afrontan muchas familias han aumentado la demanda de ayudas sociales.
The financial hardships facing many families have increased demand for social assistance.
Muchos estudiantes tienen dificultades para concentrarse cuando estudian desde casa.
Many students have difficulty concentrating when studying from home.
Superar las dificultades del primer año es crucial para que los nuevos empleados se integren en la empresa.
Overcoming first-year difficulties is crucial for new employees to integrate into the company.
How to use it
La dificultad (noun, feminine) means 'difficulty' or 'hardship' — an abstract challenge or obstacle. Key collocations: dificultades económicas/sociales; con dificultad (with difficulty); superar dificultades; tener dificultad para + infinitive; dificultad de acceso. The plural dificultades is more common than the singular. Distinguish from obstáculo (physical or concrete barrier) and problema (a specific problem with a solution). Dificultad de aprendizaje (learning difficulty) is a fixed medical/educational compound.
Common mistake
Con dificultad (with difficulty) is an adverbial phrase — do not say *dificultosamente in most contexts. Dificultad de aprendizaje (learning difficulty) is a fixed compound — do not split it. 'Without difficulty' = sin dificultad or fácilmente. The plural las dificultades is by far more common than the singular in journalistic and academic Spanish.