Things haven't been easy Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈθɪŋz/ /ˈhævən/, /ˈhævənt/ /ˈbɪn/, /bən/, /bɪn/ /ˈizi

THINGZ HAV-uhnt BIN EE-zee

UK

θˈɪŋz/ /ˈhævənt/ /bˈiːn/ /ˈiːzi

THINGZ HAV-uhnt BEEN EE-zee

Definition

Used to express that life or a situation has been difficult or challenging recently.

Usage & Nuances

Informal, often used when discussing personal struggles or hardships. Can describe any area of life—work, family, money, health. Sometimes used as a gentle understatement for very tough times.

• Spanish: las cosas no han sido fáciles
• Portuguese (BR): as coisas não têm sido fáceis
• Portuguese (PT): as coisas não têm sido fáceis
• Chinese (Simplified): 事情一直不容易
• Chinese (Traditional): 事情一直不容易
• Hindi: हालात आसान नहीं रहे हैं
• Arabic: الأمور لم تكن سهلة
• Bengali: জীবন সহজ ছিল না - পরিস্থিতি সহজ ছিল না
• Russian: всё было непросто - не всё было легко
• Japanese: 簡単ではなかった - 順調ではなかった
• Vietnamese: mọi chuyện không hề dễ dàng
• Korean: 쉽지 않았다 - 순조롭지 않았다
• Turkish: işler kolay gitmedi - işler hiç kolay olmadı
• Urdu: حالات آسان نہیں رہے - چیزیں آسان نہیں رہیں
• Indonesian: keadaan tidak mudah - semuanya tidak berjalan mudah

Example Sentences

Things haven't been easy since I lost my job.

basic

After the accident, things haven't been easy for our family.

basic

Things haven't been easy lately, but I'm trying to stay positive.

basic

Honestly, things haven't been easy, but I don't want to give up.

natural

You know, things haven't been easy, but I'm getting through it.

natural

I'm not going to lie—things haven't been easy, but I'm hopeful for the future.

natural