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How to Say "to grieve" in Spanish

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doler

doh-LEHR/doˈleɾ/

verbB1
Use 'doler' when referring to something that causes emotional pain or sorrow, often implying a specific reason for the sadness.
A storybook illustration of a lone person sitting on a wooden bench, head lowered, exhibiting a sad expression with a single tear, representing grief or sorrow.

Examples

Le duele mucho que sus hijos no la visiten.

It pains her greatly that her children don't visit her.

Nos duele pensar en todo el tiempo perdido.

It grieves us to think about all the lost time.

Me duele que la gente no sea más amable.

It bothers me that people aren't kinder (literally: It pains me that people...).

Doler + Subjunctive

When 'doler' expresses regret or sadness about someone else's action or a situation, the verb that follows must be in the subjunctive mood (the special form for wishes and feelings): 'Me duele que vivas tan lejos.'

Mixing Physical and Emotional Contexts

Mistake: “Me duele la noticia (I hurt the news).”

Correction: Me entristece la noticia (The news saddens me). While 'doler' works, 'entristecer' or 'dar pena' are often smoother for general bad news.

sufrir

/soo-FREER//suˈfɾiɾ/

verbB1
Use 'sufrir' to describe the state of experiencing prolonged emotional or physical hardship and distress.
A small, simple child sitting on the ground with a tear rolling down their cheek, holding their knee, illustrating physical or emotional pain.

Examples

Mi abuelo sufrió mucho después de la operación.

My grandfather suffered a lot after the operation.

Ella sufre de insomnio crónico.

She suffers from chronic insomnia.

No quiero que sufras por mi culpa.

I don't want you to suffer because of me.

Sufrir vs. Padecer

Both mean 'to suffer,' but 'padecer' often suggests suffering from a specific, usually chronic, condition or disease, while 'sufrir' is more general.

Using 'de' for direct suffering

Mistake: “Sufro el dolor.”

Correction: Sufro de dolor. (The preposition 'de' is often used when talking about the source or condition being suffered.)

pesar

peh-SAHR/peˈsaɾ/

verbB1
Use 'pesar' to express a feeling of regret or a heavy heart, often for something that has happened or not happened in the past.
A small, unhappy cartoon character sitting on the ground next to a puddle of spilled milk, holding their head in their hands, depicting regret.

Examples

Me pesa no haber ido a la universidad.

I regret not having gone to university. (Literally: It weighs on me...)

A ella le pesa mucho la muerte de su abuela.

Her grandmother's death weighs heavily on her.

Aunque es una decisión difícil, no me pesa.

Although it is a difficult decision, I don't regret it.

Used like 'Gustar'

When expressing regret, 'pesar' often uses indirect object pronouns (me, te, le, nos, les) to show who feels the weight/burden, similar to how the verb 'gustar' works.

Mixing up the subject

Mistake: “Yo peso el error. (Incorrect use for regret)”

Correction: Me pesa el error. (The error is the thing weighing on 'me'.)

Confusing 'doler' and 'pesar' for regret

Learners often confuse 'doler' (to cause pain) and 'pesar' (to weigh heavily, to regret). While both can express sadness about a situation, 'pesar' specifically implies regret over a past inaction or event, whereas 'doler' focuses on the pain caused by the situation itself.

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