German Phrase
Es ist schwer, Kontakt aufzunehmen.
Meaning
The sentence means “It’s hard to get in touch.” It expresses that contacting someone (by phone, email, or in person) is difficult for the speaker.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to explain that reaching a person or establishing communication is challenging, whether in a professional setting, with a friend, or when talking about a bureaucratic process.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Esistschwer,Kontaktaufzunehmen.
Verb "sein" + Adjektiv
The construction "es ist + adjective" is used to describe a situation or state, similar to "it is + adjective" in English.
Adjektiv "schwer"
"schwer" means "hard/difficult" and can be used predicatively after "sein".
Infinitiv mit zu
When an adjective like "schwer" is followed by an infinitive, the infinitive is introduced with "zu" (e.g., "schwer, etwas zu tun").
Trennbares Verb "aufnehmen"
"aufnehmen" is a separable verb; in the infinitive with "zu" the prefix stays attached ("aufzunehmen").
Komma vor Infinitivgruppe
A comma is required before the infinitive group when it is expanded by a preceding adjective or noun.
🗨In Conversation
Es ist schwer, Kontakt aufzunehmen.
It’s hard to get in touch.
Ja, ich habe auch Probleme, ihn zu erreichen.
Yes, I’m also having trouble reaching him.
✕Common Mistakes
Es ist schwer zu Kontakt aufnehmen.
The infinitive must be introduced with "zu" after the adjective, and the separable verb stays together ("aufzunehmen").
Es ist schwer, Kontakt zu nehmen.
"Aufnehmen" is a separable verb; you cannot split it as "Kontakt zu nehmen" in this construction.
Es ist schwer Kontakt aufzunehmen.
A comma is required before the infinitive group when it follows an adjective like "schwer".
↔Alternatives
Es fällt mir schwer, Kontakt aufzunehmen.
I find it hard to get in touch.
Ich habe Schwierigkeiten, Kontakt aufzunehmen.
I have difficulties getting in touch.
Der Kontakt ist schwer herzustellen.
Establishing contact is difficult.
Cultural Tip
In German, using "schwer" or "schwierig" to describe a communication problem is common and sounds neutral. For a more informal tone you might say "Es ist nicht leicht, ihn zu erreichen". Germans appreciate clarity, so stating the difficulty directly is perfectly acceptable in both business and casual conversations.