The phrase "duro de pelar" functions as an adjective in Spanish.
/ˈduɾo ðe peˈlaɾ/
"duro de pelar" literally translates to "hard to peel," but it is commonly used idiomatically in Spanish to refer to a person who is tough to deal with, whether in negotiation or in personal relationships. This phrase suggests the idea of someone who is resilient, stubborn, or difficult to influence.
The phrase is relatively well-known in Spanish idiomatic expressions and is frequently utilized in both oral and written contexts, particularly in informal conversation. It is often employed to describe someone's tenacity or difficulty in changing their views.
The new boss is a tough nut to crack; he always defends his ideas fiercely.
No pude negociar el contrato porque el cliente es muy duro de pelar.
I couldn't negotiate the contract because the client is very hard to deal with.
Mi amigo puede ser duro de pelar, pero siempre es leal.
The phrase "duro de pelar" appears within several idiomatic expressions and colloquial usages, emphasizing resistance or difficulty in various social contexts. Here are a few examples:
After many discussions, it seems that I finally managed to convince that tough nut to crack.
Esa parte del proyecto es dura de pelar, pero no podemos rendirnos.
That part of the project is tough to handle, but we cannot give up.
Entender su punto de vista es duro de pelar, así que mejor usemos un enfoque diferente.
Understanding his point of view is hard to crack, so we better use a different approach.
El equipo contrario es duro de pelar, pero tenemos confianza en nuestra estrategia.
"duro" is derived from Latin "durus," meaning hard or tough, while "de pelar" translates to "of peeling." The combination reflects the difficulty in removing layers or dealing with the complexities of a person’s character or perspective.
Synonyms: - Resistente (resilient) - Tenaz (tenacious) - Difícil (difficult)
Antonyms: - Blando (soft) - Fácil (easy) - Sumiso (submissive)