Question 1

How does the prefix re- work in redifícil? Is it common in Latin America?

Accepted Answer

The prefix re- acts as an intensifier, meaning "very" or "extremely." In many parts of Latin America (especially the Southern Cone, but also in Mexico and Colombia), attaching re- to an adjective is a very common, colloquial way to emphasize it in everyday speech. So redifícil is simply a more expressive way of saying muy difícil.

Question 2

Why is the infinitive Esquivar used for "Dodging" instead of a gerund like Esquivando?

Accepted Answer

In Spanish, when a verb acts as the noun subject of a sentence (as "dodging" does here), you must use the infinitive. The Spanish gerund (ending in -ando or -iendo) is strictly used for actions currently in progress, such as él está esquivando (he is dodging). It cannot act as a noun.

Question 3

Why does the sentence use es instead of está? Isn't dodging a specific, temporary event?

Accepted Answer

Even though dodging the attack happens in a specific moment, you are describing the inherent characteristic of that action. When evaluating or describing the nature of an action or idea (e.g., "doing X is difficult, easy, or important"), Spanish always uses ser, not estar.

Question 4

The word devastador translates to "devastating". Does the suffix -dor usually translate to "-ing"?

Accepted Answer

Not exactly. The suffix -dor (or -dora) is typically attached to a verb to indicate the agent performing that action, often translating to English words ending in "-er" or "-or" (like trabajador for "worker"). Here, devastador technically means "devastator" or "that which devastates," which just happens to translate most naturally into English as the adjective "devastating."

Esquivar su ataque devastador es redifícil.

Breakdown of Esquivar su ataque devastador es redifícil.

Questions & Answers about Esquivar su ataque devastador es redifícil.

Learn Esquivar su ataque devastador es redifícil and more in Spanish