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be difficult

[bi ˈdɪfɪkəlt]
verb phrase
ser difícil
1. to present problems or obstacles; to be hard to do, understand, or deal with
This task will be difficult to complete by Friday.
Esta tarefa será difícil de completar até sexta-feira.
2. to be troublesome or demanding in behavior or nature
My teenager can be difficult sometimes.
Meu adolescente pode ser difícil às vezes.
3. to pose a challenge or require significant effort
It will be difficult to convince him to change his mind.
Será difícil convencê-lo a mudar de ideia.
NYC Slang
be a pain; be a hassle
Synonyms
be hardbe challengingbe troublesomebe demandingbe problematic
Antonyms
be easybe simplebe effortlessbe straightforward

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser difícil
Most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
ser complicado
Alternative, slightly more colloquial usage
São Paulo
ser difícil
Standard usage
Portugal
ser difícil
Standard European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

be a tough nut to crack
be no picnic
be an uphill battle
be like pulling teeth
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