difficult

/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɪfɪkəlt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəlt/ (ame, mw)

difficult — adjective

  • difficultpositive
  • more difficultcomparative
  • most difficultsuperlative

1. needing a lot of physical or mental work, skill, or concentration to complete, u

1.形容詞B1
釋義

needing a lot of physical or mental work, skill, or concentration to complete, understand, or deal with successfully — for example, a difficult exam that requires hours of study, or a difficult decision that has no perfect answer.

例句

Renata found the maths exam difficult because she had not done enough practice.

Learning to play the piano can be difficult, but Asher never gave up.

同義詞
  • hard

    more common in everyday speech; means the same but less formal

  • challenging

    positive connotation; suggests interesting difficulty worth overcoming

  • tough

    informal; often implies physical effort or endurance

反義詞
  • easy

    the direct opposite; requiring little effort

  • simple

    not complicated; easy to understand or do

文法句型

it + be + difficult + (for + noun) + to-infinitive

be + difficult + to-infinitive

difficult + noun

用法筆記

Frequently used in impersonal it-patterns: 'it is difficult (for someone) to do something'. The opposite of this sense is easy.

常見錯誤

❌This problem is too difficult to solve it.
✅This problem is too difficult to solve.
💡In 'too...to' patterns, the object of the infinitive is not repeated as a pronoun after the verb.
❌I am difficult to understand this grammar.
✅It is difficult for me to understand this grammar.
💡Use an impersonal 'it' structure; 'difficult' describes the situation, not the person.

2. describes a person who is not willing to cooperate, is easily annoyed, or makes

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a person who is not willing to cooperate, is easily annoyed, or makes interactions uncomfortable because of their attitude — for example, a customer who complains about everything, or a child who refuses to follow instructions.

例句

The new supervisor can be difficult to work with and often complains about small things.

be + difficult + to-infinitive (describing person's character)

Felix's three-year-old son becomes difficult when he is tired or hungry.

同義詞
  • awkward

    emphasises social discomfort or embarrassment caused by the person's behaviour

  • troublesome

    suggests the person causes repeated problems or worry

  • stubborn

    focuses specifically on unwillingness to change one's mind or actions

反義詞
  • easy-going

    relaxed and not easily upset; the opposite of a difficult personality

  • cooperative

    willing to help and work together with others

文法句型

be + difficult (to work/deal with)

be + being + difficult (temporary behaviour)

be + difficult + about/with + noun

用法筆記

Frequently used in the continuous form 'be being difficult' to describe temporary uncooperative behaviour rather than a fixed personality trait. Subject is always a person or a group of people, never an object or task.

常見錯誤

❌My boss is difficult with me to finish the report.
✅My boss is making it difficult for me to finish the report.
💡When describing an obstacle someone creates, use 'make it difficult for someone to [verb]', not 'difficult with someone to [verb]'.
❌The math problem is being difficult.
✅The math problem is difficult.
💡The continuous form 'be being difficult' is only used for people, not for tasks or objects.