Schwieriges

Schwieriges is a German noun formed from the adjective schwierig. In standard usage it refers to the difficult aspect, matter, or challenge within a discussion, plan, or analysis. As a nominalized adjective, it is used with a definite article and declines like a neuter noun: das Schwierige (nominative/accusative), des Schwierigen (genitive), dem Schwierigen (dative). The plural form when talking about multiple difficult matters is usually expressed with andere nouns such as Schwierigkeiten or with die Schwierigen in contexts that emphasize people or parts rather than abstract matters.

Usage and nuance: Schwieriges serves to single out a particular difficulty in a situation. It tends to be more abstract than a concrete noun, and it appears in analytic, evaluative, or argumentative contexts. Examples include: “Das Schwierige an diesem Vorschlag ist die Finanzierung,” or “Wir müssen das Schwierige zuerst klären.” The term often coexists with other evaluative categories like Vorteil, Nachteil, or Risiko.

Relation to related terms: Schwierigkeit is the ordinary word for “difficulty” as a concrete noun. Schwieriges emphasizes the specific difficult aspect within a larger problem, whereas Schwierigkeit denotes the overall state of being difficult or the obstacles themselves. The common plural form for the general notion of difficulties is Schwierigkeiten, not Schwieriges.

See also: Schwierigkeit, schwierig, Nominalisierung, Grammatik.