New here? This is lesson 178 of a free 240-lesson English course.
That must be hard in English
Ana has a hard day at the studio. The meeting ran long, and she still has drawings to finish. She walks into the Blue Plate and drops onto a stool.
Dee already has the coffee pot. She does not ask for a long story. She just sees Ana's face.
By the end, you'll tell someone their day sounds hard, and you'll offer a little help.
That must be hard is a kind way to show you heard them.
By the end of this lesson
Respond when someone has had a hard day, and offer a little help.
- That must be hard.I think this is difficult for you.
- That's awful.That is very bad.
- You've had a rough day.Today has been tiring and difficult for you.
- Can I get you anything?Do you want something, like a drink or a seat?
- That sounds exhausting.That sounds like it took all your energy.
- I'm sorry it went that way.I feel bad that today was so difficult.
Scene — a long studio day
Late afternoon on Larch Street. Ana pushes into the Blue Plate and drops onto a stool. Her tote bag slides to the floor.
Dee is already pouring coffee. Murray sits on two stools at the end of the counter. He nudges a slice of pie a little closer. The jukebox by the door stays quiet.
Learn — that must be hard
Six short lines help you answer a hard day. You show you heard them, then you offer a little help.
You'll also say you're sorry the day went that way.
That must be hard.
I think this is difficult for you.
When to use it: Say this when someone tells you about a hard day.
Must here means you think it is true, not a rule.
Say it: The stress is on must, then hard.
That's awful.
That is very bad.
When to use it: Say this when the news is very bad.
Awful here means very bad, not strange.
You've had a rough day.
Today has been tiring and difficult for you.
When to use it: Say this when their day looks long and tiring.
You've is you have, said as one piece.
Can I get you anything?
Do you want something, like a drink or a seat?
When to use it: Offer a drink, a seat, or a little help.
This is a kind offer, not an order.
That sounds exhausting.
That sounds like it took all your energy.
When to use it: Say this after they tell you a long, tiring story.
Exhausting means it used all their energy.
Say it: The stress is on the second part.
I'm sorry it went that way.
I feel bad that today was so difficult.
When to use it: Say this when you feel bad about their day.
This is not you saying you made a mistake.
Story — the pie moves closer
Watch Ana after a long studio day. Dee and Murray do not fix the day. They just sit with it.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Late light on the counter. Ana's tote hits the floor.
DeeHave a seat, hon. How are you?please sit down, then she asks how Ana is
AnaI'm exhausted. I can't finish this. The meeting ran long.She is very tired, has too much work, and the meeting took too long.- Dee slides the cup over and waits.
- DeeThat must be hard.I think this is difficult for you.
- AnaMarcus wanted three more drawings today.Her boss asked for more work today.
- DeeYou've had a rough day.Today has been tiring and difficult for you.
MurrayWell, that sounds exhausting.That sounds like it took all your energy.- AnaIt was more tiring than I expected.I got more tired than I thought I would.
- DeeThat's awful, hon.That is very bad.
- AnaSo the lights still aren't done.The lighting work is not finished.
- Murray nudges the pie closer. His coffee is still full.
- DeeCan I get you anything?Do you want something, like a drink or a seat?
- AnaJust the coffee is fine.She only wants the coffee she already has.
- MurrayI'm sorry it went that way.I feel bad that today was so difficult.
- AnaThanks. The pie helps.She thanks them. The pie makes her feel a little better.
- The jukebox clicks once, then stays quiet.
Practice — hear it and say it
A short set of exercises waits here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay short, so the round moves fast.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
That must be hard.Drop the Simple English hereThat's awful.Drop the Simple English hereThat sounds exhausting.Drop the Simple English hereI'm sorry it went that way.Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
Your friend says, "Today was tiring and difficult." Say the line that names their day as tiring and difficult.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
That's awful.
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Build the line
Build the line
That sounds like it took all your energy.
.
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Dee says:
Pick the reply
Whew. I'm so thirsty. My water glass is empty.
She is very thirsty and has nothing to drink.
And you reply with:
Swap the word
Swap the word
A friend tells you their meeting ran four hours.
That must be ____.
What do you say?
What do you say?
A tired friend walks in. Show them they can sit.
True or false?
True or false?
This line means the work is already done.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
I got more tired than I thought I would.
It was ____ tiring than I expected.
Say it — say it back
Now you're at the counter after a long day. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- DeeThe lunch rush never let up.The busy lunch time did not stop.
- Ana (you)Show her you think this is difficult for her.
Show her you think this is difficult for her.
That must be hard.
I think this is difficult for you.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| That must be hard. | I think this is difficult for you. | |
| That's awful. | That is very bad. | |
| You've had a rough day. | Today has been tiring and difficult for you. | |
| Can I get you anything? | Do you want something, like a drink or a seat? | |
| That sounds exhausting. | That sounds like it took all your energy. | |
| I'm sorry it went that way. | I feel bad that today was so difficult. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these kind lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps these lines ready for a hard day.
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