Spanish Conversation · Level 82
60 words
Spanish word
dificultar
Pronunciation
IPA/difikulˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbmake difficult
Example
Su trabajo dificulta el progreso.
His work makes progress difficult.
More examples
La burocracia suele dificultar el acceso a los servicios.
Bureaucracy often hinders access to services.
Core concept
A locked gate blocking a doorway and forcing people to take a harder route.
Common phrases
dificultar la comunicación
hinder communication
dificultar el acceso
hinder access
dificultar el trabajo
hinder work
Similar words
complicar: Makes a situation more complex by introducing confusing details or extra steps.
impedir: Blocks an action or event so it cannot take place.
estorbar: Obstructs a person or process by physically or practically getting in the way.
frenar: Reduces the speed of progress, causing tasks to take longer.
Definition in Spanish
Provocar que una acción o situación requiera más esfuerzo, tiempo o recursos para realizarse.
Word origin
From Latin difficilis 'difficult', through Spanish difícil plus the verb-forming suffix -ar, giving a verb that means to make something difficult.
Usage tips
- A transitive verb that typically takes a direct object; the reflexive form dificultarse means 'to become difficult' and is used to describe situations that grow harder.
Other meanings
- hinderverb
- obstructverb
Related words
- dificultaddifficultynoun
- dificultosodifficultadjective
- dificultosamentewith difficultyadverb