Inklingo

How to Say "enduring" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sufrido

soo-FREE-doh/suˈfɾi.ðo/

AdjectiveB2General
Use 'sufrido' to describe a person who has a resilient, patient, and stoic nature, having overcome many hardships without complaint. It refers to a long-standing character trait.
A small figure calmly carries a very large backpack up a gentle hill, illustrating resilience and enduring a burden.

Examples

Mi abuela es una mujer muy sufrida; ha pasado por mucho sin quejarse.

My grandmother is a very enduring woman; she has been through a lot without complaining.

Este mueble viejo está muy sufrido, pero todavía sirve.

This old piece of furniture is very battered (has seen a lot of use), but it still works.

Gender Agreement

Like most adjectives, 'sufrido' must match the noun it describes in gender and number: 'un hombre sufrido' (male) vs. 'una mujer sufrida' (female).

sufriendo

soo-FREE-en-doh/suˈfɾjen.do/

Verb form (Gerund)B1General
Use 'sufriendo' to describe the ongoing action or state of experiencing pain, hardship, or loss at the present moment. It focuses on the immediate experience of suffering.
A small, simple, unhappy cartoon figure sitting alone on the ground. A tiny, dark rain cloud is floating directly above the figure's head, dropping a single tear-shaped raindrop, symbolizing current distress or suffering.

Examples

Ella está sufriendo por la pérdida de su mascota.

She is suffering due to the loss of her pet.

Llevamos tres años sufriendo las restricciones económicas.

We have been enduring the economic restrictions for three years.

Aprendió mucho, sufriendo cada error que cometía.

He learned a lot, suffering (or: by suffering) every mistake he made.

The '-iendo' Form

'Sufriendo' is the special verb form (called the gerund) that ends in '-iendo' because the original verb 'sufrir' ends in -ir. It is the Spanish equivalent of the English '-ing' form.

Forming the Progressive

You use 'sufriendo' with the verb 'estar' to show that the action of suffering is happening right now: 'Estamos sufriendo' (We are suffering).

Mixing up the 'Be' Verbs

Mistake: “Soy sufriendo.”

Correction: Estoy sufriendo. Remember to always use 'estar' (to be in a temporary state) with the '-iendo' form for ongoing actions.

Adjective vs. Gerund

The most common mistake is using the adjective 'sufrido' (enduring character) when you mean the present action of 'sufriendo' (currently suffering). Remember: 'sufrido' describes a person's long-term resilience, while 'sufriendo' describes an immediate, ongoing experience.

Related Translations

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