die Schwierigkeiten
Translation
difficulties, troubles, problems, hardships
Examples
Wir haben finanzielle Schwierigkeiten.
We have financial difficulties.
Er überwand alle Schwierigkeiten.
He overcame all difficulties.
Es gab Schwierigkeiten mit dem Motor.
There were difficulties with the engine.
Grammar Patterns
to have difficulties ((with sth.)) Wir haben finanzielle Schwierigkeiten.
difficulties with ((sth.)) Es gab Schwierigkeiten mit dem Motor.
Similar Words
Synonyms: die Probleme (problems), die Hindernisse (obstacles); Antonyms: die Leichtigkeit (ease), die Einfachheit (simplicity)
Etymology
From the adjective 'schwierig' (difficult), which comes from 'schwer' (heavy). The suffix '-keit' forms abstract nouns, like '-ness' in English.
Memory Tips
Think of a 'schwer' (heavy) situation that is hard to deal with. That's a 'Schwierigkeit'.