Inklingo

How to Say "suffering" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sufrimiento

soo-free-mee-EN-toh/su.fɾiˈmjen.to/

nounB1
Use this word for general emotional or physical distress, pain, or hardship that is ongoing or has a lasting impact.
A small, simple human figure crouched down, visibly struggling under the weight of a single, large, heavy, dark gray rock resting on their back.

Examples

El sufrimiento por la pérdida de su mascota fue inmenso.

The suffering over the loss of his pet was immense.

Dicen que el sufrimiento nos hace más fuertes.

They say that hardship makes us stronger.

Hay que evitar el sufrimiento innecesario en la vida.

One must avoid unnecessary suffering in life.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-o', which is common for masculine nouns, remember to always use the masculine articles and adjectives: el sufrimiento, mucho sufrimiento.

Sufrimiento vs. Dolor

Mistake: “Using *sufrimiento* when referring strictly to a specific physical ache (e.g., 'Tengo sufrimiento en la rodilla').”

Correction: Use *dolor* for specific physical aches ('Tengo dolor en la rodilla'). *Sufrimiento* suggests a deeper, often prolonged emotional or existential distress, though it can include physical pain.

sufriendo

soo-FREE-en-doh/suˈfɾjen.do/

verb form (gerund)B1
Use this form when describing the action of suffering as it is happening right now, often with the verb 'estar'.
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.

pasión

nounC1literary/religious
This term refers to extreme agony or profound suffering, often in a religious or literary context, like the Passion of Christ.

Examples

Se leyó el relato de la Pasión durante la misa del Viernes Santo.

The account of the Passion was read during the Good Friday mass.

Noun vs. Gerund

The most common mistake is using the noun 'sufrimiento' when you mean the ongoing action, where the gerund 'sufriendo' (with 'estar') is needed. Remember, 'sufrimiento' is the state or feeling, while 'sufriendo' is the act of experiencing it now.

Related Translations

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