sufre
SOO-freh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Ella sufre mucho cuando hace frío.
A2She suffers a lot when it is cold.
El negocio sufre una gran pérdida este año.
B1The business is undergoing a great loss this year.
Usted sufre de insomnio, ¿verdad?
A2You suffer from insomnia, right?
¡Sufre las consecuencias de tus malas decisiones!
B2Suffer the consequences of your bad decisions!
💡 Grammar Points
Dual Role of 'Sufre'
'Sufre' is used to talk about what 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or 'you (formal)' does right now (Present Tense), OR it is used to give a direct, informal command to 'you (tú)'.
Meaning 'Undergo'
When talking about objects or situations, 'sufrir' often means 'to undergo' or 'to sustain,' especially when describing damage or changes (e.g., 'The house suffers damage').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing the Command
Mistake: "Saying '¡Tú sufres las consecuencias!' (Using the indicative form for a command)"
Correction: The informal command is simply '¡Sufre!' (using the third person singular form). The 'tú' form with the 's' is only for stating facts.
⭐ Usage Tips
The preposition 'de'
When talking about a specific ailment or condition, 'sufrir' usually connects with the preposition 'de': 'sufre de alergias' (he suffers from allergies).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: sufre
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'sufre' as a command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'sufre' only for emotional pain?
No. While it is often used for emotional distress ('sufre por amor'), it is also used for physical pain ('sufre de migrañas') and for non-living things experiencing damage or change ('la economía sufre').
How do I know if 'sufre' means 'he suffers' or 'you (tú) suffer!'?
You must look at the context. If the sentence is a statement starting with 'Él,' 'Ella,' 'Usted,' or a non-person subject, it's a statement. If it’s an exclamation or direct address, especially using 'tú' implied, it’s a command.