German word

schwierig

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃviːʁɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectivehard

Example

Die Aufgabe ist schwieriger als gedacht.

The task is harder than expected.

Illustration for schwierig (hard)

More examples

Das ist eine schwierige Frage für mich.

That is a difficult question for me.

Core concept

A task with hidden knots requires extra effort, time, and careful decisions before it can be completed.

Common phrases

  • eine schwierige Aufgabe

    a difficult task

  • eine schwierige Frage

    a difficult question

Similar words

schwer: Demanding considerable effort, strength, or concentration to complete.
kompliziert: Organized in a tangled way that makes understanding or handling it time-consuming.

Definition in German

Schwer zu bewältigen oder zu verstehen; verursacht Mühe, Zeitaufwand oder Unsicherheit bei der Lösung.

Word origin

Schwierig is an inherited German adjective recorded in Middle High German as swir(e)c, an older form associated with the modern adjective.

Usage tips

  • Schwierig commonly describes tasks, questions, or situations, while schwer also covers physical heaviness and serious intensity.

Other meanings

  • troublesomeadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Schwierigkeitdifficultynoun
  • Schwierigkeitsgraddegree of difficultynoun

Word lists with this word