Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| sufrir | /suˈfɾiɾ/ |
| padecer | /padeˈθeɾ/ /padeˈseɾ/ |
| adolecer | /adoleˈθeɾ/ /adoleˈseɾ/ |
Spanish uses several verbs to express the concept of suffering, depending on the context of the pain or the nature of the hardship. Sufrir is the general-purpose term for feeling pain or undergoing hardship. To describe suffering from a specific illness or a chronic medical condition, padecer is the preferred choice. If you are describing someone or something that suffers from a deficiency, a lack or a specific flaw, use adolecer.
Which one should you use?
While sufrir is the general word for suffering, padecer is more specific to medical or formal contexts involving the endurance of an illness. Adolecer is distinct because it is used specifically when the suffering refers to a deficiency or a flaw.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may hear the phrase estar pasando por un mal momento to express that someone is suffering. In Argentina, the phrase estar pasándola mal is used to convey the same idea.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of sufrir is sufrimiento, which means 'suffering'.
How do you pronounce it?
/suˈfɾiɾ/
When do people say it?
Spanish speakers use various idioms to describe different types of emotional or mental suffering. To describe enduring something unpleasant, the colloquial phrase Tragarse un sapo is used, which literally means 'to swallow a toad'. To describe the suffering caused by overthinking or obsessing over something, the idiom Comerse la cabeza is used, which literally translates to 'to eat one's head'.
Did you know?
- The word padecer comes from the Latin patī, which is also the root of the English word 'passion', in the sense of enduring great suffering.
- While sufrir usually means 'to suffer', in certain contexts it can be used as a synonym for 'to undergo' or 'to experience' a change, such as sufrir una transformación, without implying pain.
- The verb adolecer is often misused by native speakers to mean 'suffering from a disease', though its correct dictionary use refers specifically to a lack or deficiency.
Examples in context
- Va a sufrir por esto.You will suffer because of that.This sentence shows the use of sufrir to indicate the consequence of an action.Tatoeba #1435677 by marcelostockle, translation #1435690 by Eldad
- ¿Por qué debo sufrir?Why must I suffer?This sentence demonstrates a question using sufrir to ask about the necessity of pain.Tatoeba #4372425 by pchamorro, translation #4062923 by AlanF_US
- Odio ver sufrir a los animales.I hate to see animals suffer.This sentence illustrates sufrir in the context of witnessing the suffering of others.Tatoeba #1101444 by Shishir, translation #682106 by Source_VOA
- Los pacientes sufrían de dolor crónicoThe patients suffered from chronic pain
- Ella padece de migrañas frecuentesShe suffers from frequent migraines
- Está pasando por un momento difícil, la está pasando muy malHe is going through a tough time, he's suffering a lot
- No te comas la cabeza por cosas sin importanciaDon't suffer or worry over trivial things
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María is talking to Daniel about his health.
- MaríaPareces cansado, ¿estás sufriendo algún dolor?You look tired, are you suffering from any pain?
- DanielSí, mi espalda empezó a sufrir ayer.Yes, my back started to suffer yesterday.
- MaríaLo siento mucho, Daniel. Deberías descansar.I am so sorry, Daniel. You should rest.
- DanielTienes razón, gracias por preguntar, María.You are right, thanks for asking, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “suffer” translations and entries sufrir, padecer, adolecer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adolecer, padecer, sufrir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
