el duro

The Spanish word "duro" can function as both an adjective and a noun, with various meanings depending on the context.

Meaning as an Adjective

1. Hard / Firm / Solid: Refers to the physical hardness or firmness of an object.
   • Ejemplo: La piedra es muy dura. (The stone is very hard.)
2. Difficult / Tough: Refers to something challenging, harsh, or demanding.
   • Ejemplo: Este examen es muy duro. (This exam is very tough.)
3. Strict / Rigid: Describes a person's strictness or harshness in behavior or rules.
   • Ejemplo: El jefe es duro con los empleados. (The boss is tough with the employees.)

Meaning as a Noun

• Duro can mean an old Spanish coin, equivalent to five pesetas (before the euro).
  • Ejemplo: Él pagó cinco duros por el libro. (He paid five duros for the book.)

Word Structure

• duro is a simple word; it is an adjective or noun with no prefixes or suffixes in its base form.
• Feminine form: dura
• Plural forms: duros (masc.), duras (fem.)

Spanish Synonyms

• For "hard"/"firm": rígido, sólido, fuerte
• For "difficult": difícil, complicado, exigente
• For "strict": severo, estricto, rígido

Spanish Antonyms

• For "hard"/"firm": blando, suave, flexible
• For "difficult": fácil, simple
• For "strict": permisivo, flexible

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In summary, duro primarily describes hardness or difficulty, but it can also refer to an old currency in Spain.