The phrase "hard to believe" is spelled using the English alphabet. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), it would be transcribed as /hɑrd tə bɪˈliːv/. The first sound, /h/, is the voiceless glottal fricative. The second sound, /ɑ/, is the open back unrounded vowel. The third sound, /r/, is an alveolar trill. The fourth sound, /d/, is a voiced dental stop. The fifth sound, /t/, is a voiceless dental stop. The sixth sound, /ə/, is the schwa sound. Finally, the last sound, /iːv/, is the diphthong /i/ followed by the voiced labiodental fricative /v/.
Hard to believe refers to something that is difficult to accept or grasp due to it being seemingly improbable, extraordinary, or unrealistic. It typically describes situations, events, claims, or statements that defy common sense, logic, or the expected norms of reality. When finding something hard to believe, one may harbor doubts, skepticism, or suspicion regarding its veracity or plausibility.
This phrase encompasses occasions where facts, stories, anecdotes, or situations are so astonishing or incredible that they challenge one's ability to trust or fully comprehend them. It suggests that the subject matter is highly unlikely, far-fetched, or incredulous to a point where it strains credulity. Often, beliefs or concepts that are hard to believe may provoke feelings of awe, astonishment, amazement, or skepticism.
Instances of hard to believe scenarios can vary widely, encompassing a broad spectrum of subjects such as extraordinary occurrences, supernatural phenomena, outlandish theories, remarkable achievements, or unfathomable coincidences. The extent to which something is hard to believe can vary from person to person, as individuals possess different levels of skepticism and willingness to accept extraordinary claims without sufficient evidence.
Thus, something deemed hard to believe is characterized by its ability to challenge one's typical understanding of reality, perplexing and leaving them with an inherent skepticism regarding its plausibility or authenticity.