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difficoltoso

difficult

adjective dee-fee-kohl-TOH-zoh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Origin: From difficoltà (difficulty) + -oso.

Also means

arduous

Usage Note

Difficoltoso is stronger and more formal than the everyday difficile ('difficult'). It emphasizes that something involves considerable effort or hardship, and is more common in written or formal Italian. While difficile can mean intellectually hard, difficoltoso often implies practical obstacles or physical strain.

Examples

"Il percorso di montagna è difficoltoso ma bellissimo."

Natural Translation

The mountain path is arduous but very beautiful.

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