This is the 771st most frequent Hebrew word.
קשים
"קשׁים" means "difficulties" or "hardships" in English.
In this sentence, 'קשיים' (kshiyim) means 'difficulties' and refers to challenges faced.
הילדים נתקלו בקשיים במהלך לימודיהם.
The children encountered difficulties during their studies.
'קשים' (kshiyim) here is an adjective meaning 'difficult', describing the days.
הימים האחרונים היו קשים מאוד לכל המשפחה.
The last few days were very difficult for the whole family.
The feminine form of difficult, 'קשות' (kashot), is used here, showing variability depending on the noun's gender.