Inklingo

How to Say "to undergo" in Spanish

English → Spanish

atravesar

/ah-trah-veh-SAHR//a.tɾa.βeˈsaɾ/

verbC1
Use 'atravesar' when referring to a company, organization, or even a person going through a significant, often challenging, period or transformation.
A small figure emerging from the darkness of a low, narrow tunnel into bright daylight and green grass.

Examples

La ciudad atraviesa una profunda renovación urbana.

The city is undergoing a profound urban renovation.

La compañía atraviesa una crisis financiera sin precedentes.

The company is going through an unprecedented financial crisis.

Después de la cirugía, tuvo que atravesar un largo proceso de rehabilitación.

After the surgery, he had to undergo a long rehabilitation process.

experimentar

/ex-peh-ree-men-TAR//ekspeɾimenˈtaɾ/

verbB1
Choose 'experimentar' when describing a personal experience of changes, sensations, or emotions, often implying a direct, internal encounter.
A person standing on a mountain peak with their arms wide open, looking at a beautiful sunset.

Examples

El paciente experimentó una rápida mejoría tras el tratamiento.

The patient underwent a rapid improvement after the treatment.

Ella experimentó una gran alegría al recibir la noticia.

She experienced great joy upon receiving the news.

La ciudad ha experimentado muchos cambios este año.

The city has undergone many changes this year.

A Regular Verb

This verb follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs, meaning once you know the ending rules, you can conjugate it in any tense easily!

Experience vs. Experimentar

Mistake: “Using 'experiencia' as a verb.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'experiencia' is only a noun (the thing you have). To describe the action of having that experience, always use the verb 'experimentar'.

sufrir

/soo-FREER//suˈfɾiɾ/

verbB2
Use 'sufrir' when the process or change being undergone has negative consequences or involves hardship, loss, or damage.
A lump of soft, brown clay actively being molded and shaped into a smooth, finished vase by a pair of gentle hands, symbolizing undergoing a process.

Examples

El país sufrió una dura sequía el año pasado.

The country underwent a severe drought last year.

La empresa sufrió grandes pérdidas este trimestre.

The company sustained large losses this quarter.

El edificio sufrió daños graves a causa del terremoto.

The building underwent serious damage due to the earthquake.

Nuestra reputación sufrió un duro golpe.

Our reputation suffered a serious blow.

Non-Human Subjects

In this context, the subject performing 'sufrir' is often an inanimate object, like 'el puente' (the bridge) or 'la economía' (the economy).

Confusing 'soportar'

Mistake: “El puente sufrió el peso.”

Correction: El puente soportó el peso. ('Soportar' means to withstand or bear weight/pressure, while 'sufrir' means to be negatively affected by it.)

Distinguishing 'atravesar', 'experimentar', and 'sufrir'

Learners often confuse 'atravesar' and 'sufrir' when talking about difficulties. Remember, 'sufrir' explicitly implies negative consequences or hardship, while 'atravesar' can refer to challenging but also neutral or even positive transformations, especially for organizations.

Related Translations

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