Was ist difficult? Verwendung auf Englisch

Okay, let's break down how to use the word "difficult" in English. It's a very common word, but it can have slightly different nuances depending on how you use it.

1. As an Adjective (Describing something challenging):

This is the most common use. "Difficult" describes something that requires effort, skill, or patience to do.

• Example: "This math problem is difficult." (It's hard to solve.)
• Example: "Learning to play the piano is difficult." (It takes time and practice.)
• Example: “The terrain was difficult to navigate.” (The path was challenging.)

2. As an Adjective (Describing a person – often with a negative connotation):

When used to describe a person, "difficult" usually implies they are challenging to deal with – potentially stubborn, demanding, or unpleasant. Be careful with this usage because it can be perceived as judgmental.

• Example: “He’s a difficult customer.” (He’s demanding and hard to please.) This is often used in a business context.
• Example: “She can be a difficult person to get along with.” (She's challenging to be friends with.)
• Important Note: There are often more constructive ways to describe someone who is challenging, like “demanding,” “opinionated,” or “challenging.”

3. As an Adverb (Describing how something is done):

Here, "difficultly" refers to the state of having trouble.

• Example: “He faced many difficulties during his journey.” (He experienced many problems.)
• Example: “She overcame great difficulties to achieve her goals.” (She dealt with significant challenges.)
• Example: "There's a difficultly with the shipment." (There's a problem with the shipment.)

4. Phrases using "Difficult":

• Difficult to say: Meaning it's hard to express something, often because it's sensitive or uncomfortable.
  • “It's difficult to say how I feel about it.”
• Difficult to do: Meaning requiring a lot of effort.
  • “It’s difficult to do without help.”
• Difficult problem: A complex or challenging problem.
• Difficult situation: A challenging or troublesome situation.

Tips for Using "Difficult" Effectively:

• Be specific: Instead of just saying something is "difficult," try to explain why it’s difficult. For example, “It’s difficult because the instructions are unclear.”
• Consider alternatives: Sometimes, words like “challenging,” “complex,” “complicated,” “arduous,” or “tough” can be better choices, especially when describing people.
• Context is key: The meaning of "difficult" changes based on the situation.

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

• What are you trying to say with the word "difficult"? (e.g., are you describing an object, a task, a person, or a situation?)