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.)) We have financial difficulties.
difficulties with ((sth.)) There were difficulties with the engine.
Similar Words
Synonyms: die Probleme (problems), die Hindernisse (obstacles); Antonyms: die Leichtigkeit (ease), die Einfachheit (simplicity)
Etymology
Derived from the adjective 'schwierig' (difficult), which originates from 'schwer' (heavy). The suffix '-keit' is used to form abstract nouns, similar to '-ness' in English.
Memory Tips
Imagine a 'schwer' (heavy) problem that is difficult to carry. That's a 'Schwierigkeit'.