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How to Say ‘Difficult’ in German

Schwierig

SHVEE-rikh

[SHVEE-rikh]

💬 Usage Tip: The -ig ending is usually said with a soft breathy sound, like the end of Scottish "loch" but lighter: (SHVEE-rikh). Same in lustig and richtig "right".

Phrase Breakdown

Schwierig

[SHVEE-rikh]

difficult

Adjective meaning hard to do or understand.

Example

Die Prüfung war schwierig.

The exam was difficult.

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