dificultar

Dificultar is a verb used in both Spanish and Portuguese with the sense of making something more difficult, hindering, or impeding. It is transitive and commonly appears with a direct object, though it can also introduce subordinate clauses that express obstruction or hindrance.

Etymology and classification: The word derives from the Latin difficilis, meaning difficult, with a Spanish/Portuguese development that adds a verb-forming suffix. It is closely related to the adjectives difìcil/difícil and is part of the core lexicon of both languages for describing obstacles or impediments.

Usage in Portuguese: Dificultar is a regular -ar verb. Present indicative forms include eu dificulto, tu dificultas, ele/dela dificulta, nós dificultamos, vós dificultáis (rare in contemporary usage), eles dificultam. It can take a direct object, as in “A burocracia pode dificultar o acesso aos serviços.” It can also introduce a subordinate clause with que that requires the subjunctive, as in “Isso dificulta que ele participe.”

Usage in Spanish: Dificultar is a regular -ar verb. Present indicative forms include yo dificulta? No. Proper forms are yo dificulto, tú dificultas, él dificulta, nosotros dificultamos, vosotros dificultáis, ellos dificultan. Example: “La lluvia dificulta que lleguen a tiempo.” It can express hindrance in various tenses, and, like other verbs of hindrance, is often used with clauses preceded by que to require the subjunctive.

Nuance and synonyms: Dificultar emphasizes creating obstacles or making processes harder, whereas synonyms like complicar or impedir may shift nuance toward added complexity or outright prevention. The related noun is dificultad (difficulty).