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be tough to do
表示做某事很困难。
The math problem is tough to solve.
这道数学题很难解。
坚固的；结实的
tougher — comparative of tough
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
坚固的；结实的
strong and resilient; sturdy
The math problem is tough to solve.
这道数学题很难解。
材料坚固且有弹性；结实。
Of a material, strong and resilient; sturdy.
食物难以切割或咀嚼。
Of food, difficult to cut or chew.
人或动物粗犷或身体强壮。
Of a person or animal, rugged or physically hardy.
人顽固或坚持不懈；能够顽固或坚持。
Of a person, stubborn or persistent; capable of stubbornness or persistence.
These hiking boots are made of tough leather that can handle rough trails.
这些登山靴由坚固的皮革制成，能应对崎岖的小路。
We need a tougher rope to hold the heavy tent in the strong wind.
我们需要一根更结实的绳子，在大风中固定沉重的帐篷。
The screen on this phone is tough enough to survive accidental drops.
这款手机的屏幕足够坚固，能承受意外摔落。
表示做某事很困难。
The math problem is tough to solve.
这道数学题很难解。
表示对某人严厉或不宽容。
The coach is tough on his players.
教练对他的队员要求很严格。
表示特性，如坚韧或坚固。
This is a tough material.
这是一种坚韧的材料。
表示困难或艰苦的时期。
We went through tough times.
我们经历了艰难时期。
Not this
This job is more tough than I thought.
Use this
This job is tougher than I thought.
形容词 tough 的比较级是 tougher，而不是 more tough。规则变化是加 -er。
Not this
He ran toughly to catch the bus.
Use this
He ran hard to catch the bus.
tough 是形容词，不能直接加 -ly 变成副词。表示 '努力地' 应该用副词 hard。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
硬汉
He plays a tough guy in the movie.
他在电影里演一个硬汉。
艰难的决定
Choosing a career was a tough decision.
选择职业是一个艰难的决定。
艰难时期
We need to stick together in tough times.
在艰难时期我们需要团结一致。
严厉的爱
Sometimes parents have to use tough love.
有时父母不得不使用严厉的爱。
激烈的竞争
The job market is facing tough competition.
就业市场面临激烈的竞争。
倒霉
Tough luck, you missed the bus.
倒霉，你没赶上公交车。
坚强的人；不易受伤害的人
She's a tough cookie who can handle any challenge.
她是个坚强的人，能应对任何挑战。
严厉的爱；为对方好而采取强硬措施
Sometimes parents need to use tough love to teach responsibility.
有时父母需要用严厉的爱来教导责任感。
倒霉的事；坏运气
Losing his wallet was a tough break, but he'll recover.
丢钱包真倒霉，但他会挺过去的。
当形势变得艰难时，强者会行动起来。
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
当形势变得艰难时，强者会行动起来。
Use tougher naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
想象一块坚韧的肉（tough meat），咬不动，记住 tough 意为‘坚韧的’。
通常为中性，在表示‘粗暴的’或‘咬不动的’时较口语化。
常见用法：tough to do sth. 或 tough for sb to do sth.
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.