Explanation at your level:
Suffering is a word for when someone feels bad or has pain. If you are sick or sad for a long time, you are suffering. It is a sad word. You might see it in books or hear it on the news when people have hard lives.
When someone is in pain, we say they are suffering. It can be physical pain, like a broken leg, or mental pain, like feeling very sad. People often talk about suffering when they describe difficult times in history or in stories. It is a serious word that we use to show that someone is having a very hard time.
Suffering is a noun that describes the state of enduring pain or distress. Unlike a simple headache, suffering usually implies a longer or more intense experience. You might hear it in phrases like "alleviating suffering" in humanitarian work. It is important to know that this word is quite formal and should be used carefully in conversation.
The noun suffering captures the essence of enduring hardship. It is frequently used in academic or journalistic contexts to discuss social issues, such as poverty or conflict. Using this word adds a level of gravity to your writing. Be aware that it is not a casual term; it carries a heavy emotional weight that suggests significant distress or trauma.
In advanced English, suffering is often used to discuss the human condition or existential states. It transcends simple physical pain to encompass psychological anguish, grief, or the burden of difficult circumstances. Writers often use it to evoke empathy or to critique systemic failures. It is a versatile term in philosophical discourse, particularly when discussing ethics or the nature of existence.
At the mastery level, suffering is understood through its etymological roots of 'bearing' or 'carrying'. It is a profound term used in literature and theology to describe the transformative power of endurance. Whether discussing the 'suffering servant' archetype or the nuanced psychological states of literary characters, the term functions as a anchor for deep, emotional, and intellectual inquiry. It is a word that carries the weight of history and the depth of the human experience.
30秒でわかる単語
- Suffering is the state of enduring pain.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- Often used with the verb 'alleviate'.
- Carries a serious, emotional tone.
At its core, suffering is a heavy word. It describes the deep experience of pain, whether that pain is in your body or your mind. When we talk about suffering, we aren't just talking about a stubbed toe; we are usually referring to something more significant, like long-term illness, emotional heartbreak, or difficult life circumstances.
Think of it as the endurance of hardship. It is a state where a person feels distressed or uncomfortable for a period of time. It is a very human experience, and because it carries so much emotional weight, it is used often in literature, philosophy, and serious conversations about life.
The word suffering comes from the Middle English word suffren, which traces back to the Old French souffrir. If you go back even further, it roots into the Latin word sufferre, a combination of sub (meaning 'under') and ferre (meaning 'to bear' or 'to carry').
This etymology is fascinating because it literally means to bear something from underneath. It paints a picture of someone carrying a heavy weight on their shoulders. Over centuries, the word evolved from simply meaning 'to allow' or 'to tolerate' into the deeper, more painful meaning we use today to describe the human condition of enduring hardship.
You will find suffering used in both formal and neutral contexts. It is rarely used in casual, lighthearted conversation because of its serious nature. You might hear it in news reports, medical discussions, or deep philosophical debates.
Commonly, we use it with verbs like end, alleviate, or cause. You might say, "The medicine helped end his suffering" or "The war caused widespread suffering." It is a powerful noun that demands respect when you use it in a sentence.
- Suffering in silence: To endure pain without telling anyone. Example: "She was suffering in silence for years before she finally asked for help."
- End one's suffering: To bring someone relief from pain, often used in medical contexts. Example: "The doctor did what he could to end the patient's suffering."
- A world of suffering: A great amount of pain. Example: "The disaster brought a world of suffering to the local community."
- Long-suffering: Someone who has been patient despite a lot of trouble. Example: "He is a long-suffering husband who always stays calm."
- Suffering from: To be affected by an illness or problem. Example: "He is suffering from a bad cold today."
The word suffering is usually an uncountable noun. You don't usually say "a suffering" or "sufferings" unless you are talking about specific, distinct instances of pain in a very literary way. It is formed from the verb suffer plus the suffix -ing.
In terms of pronunciation, the IPA is /ˈsʌfərɪŋ/. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like buffering, covering, and hovering. Remember that the 'u' makes a short /ʌ/ sound, like in the word 'cup'.
Fun Fact
The word originally meant 'to allow' before it evolved to mean 'to endure pain'.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'u', clear 'f', soft 'ing'.
Similar to UK, slightly more rhotic 'r'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'u' like 'oo'
- Dropping the 'g' at the end
- Putting stress on the second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read but heavy in meaning.
Requires careful context.
Use with caution.
Frequently heard in news.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
Suffering is uncountable.
Verb+ing as Noun
Suffering is a gerund-noun.
Collocations
Suffering from...
Examples by Level
The dog is suffering.
The dog is in pain.
Present continuous verb form.
He is suffering.
He is in pain.
Simple subject-verb.
No more suffering.
Pain is over.
Noun phrase.
She feels suffering.
She feels pain.
Subject-verb-object.
Stop the suffering.
End the pain.
Imperative sentence.
It is suffering.
It is pain.
Basic identification.
They see suffering.
They see pain.
Simple observation.
I hate suffering.
I dislike pain.
Expressing an opinion.
The long war caused much suffering.
She is suffering from a bad flu.
Animals are suffering in the heat.
He ended his suffering by resting.
The book is about human suffering.
They watched the suffering of others.
Suffering is a part of life.
Help those who are suffering.
The charity aims to alleviate suffering in the region.
Years of drought led to widespread suffering among the farmers.
He tried to hide his suffering behind a smile.
The patient's suffering was finally brought to an end.
There is so much unnecessary suffering in the world.
She wrote a poem about her internal suffering.
The report highlights the suffering of refugees.
He has endured much suffering throughout his life.
The philosophical debate centered on the nature of human suffering.
Despite her immense suffering, she remained incredibly resilient.
The novel depicts the suffering of a family during the Great Depression.
We must address the root causes of this systemic suffering.
His long-suffering attitude was admired by his colleagues.
The article provides a harrowing account of the suffering in the war zone.
She found meaning in her suffering through her art.
The community came together to support those suffering from the disaster.
The existentialists often explored the inevitability of human suffering.
The protagonist's journey is one of profound spiritual suffering and redemption.
Critics praised the film for its unflinching portrayal of psychological suffering.
The policy failed to mitigate the suffering of the most vulnerable populations.
He spoke eloquently about the transformative potential of suffering.
The history of the region is a tapestry of conflict and suffering.
Her work challenges the reader to confront the reality of global suffering.
The artist sought to capture the silent suffering of the urban poor.
The theological inquiry delved into theodicy and the justification of suffering in a divine framework.
His magnum opus is a poignant meditation on the intersection of memory and suffering.
The historical narrative is punctuated by the collective suffering of the displaced masses.
She articulated the nuances of her suffering with a rare, poetic clarity.
The societal structures were built upon the silent, unacknowledged suffering of the underclass.
The philosopher argued that suffering is an intrinsic component of the human condition.
The tragic hero's descent is marked by a gradual accumulation of unbearable suffering.
The exhibit serves as a somber testament to the enduring legacy of wartime suffering.
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"suffer in silence"
to hide your pain from others
She suffered in silence for months.
neutral"long-suffering"
patiently enduring trouble
He is a long-suffering teacher.
neutral"end one's suffering"
to die or be relieved of pain
The treatment finally ended his suffering.
formal"a world of suffering"
a great deal of pain
They have been through a world of suffering.
neutral"suffer the consequences"
to deal with the bad results of an action
If you break the rules, you will suffer the consequences.
neutral"suffer fools gladly"
to be patient with stupid people
She does not suffer fools gladly.
formalEasily Confused
Both relate to pain.
Sorrow is emotional; suffering is broader.
He felt sorrow for his loss.
Synonyms.
Pain is often physical; suffering is the state of enduring it.
He felt pain in his leg.
Similar context.
Hardship refers to external conditions.
They lived in hardship.
Similar intensity.
Distress is often acute or sudden.
She was in distress.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is suffering from + Noun
He is suffering from a cold.
Verb + the suffering of + Noun
They witnessed the suffering of the people.
Adjective + suffering
The endless suffering was unbearable.
Suffering + Verb
Suffering makes us stronger.
Verb + to + alleviate + suffering
They work to alleviate suffering.
語族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
関連
How to Use It
7/10
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
Suffering is an abstract concept.
Grammatical category error.
Suffering implies deep pain.
Double 'f' is required.
Old usage vs modern usage.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a person carrying a heavy bag labeled 'Suffering'.
Native Usage
Use it to describe serious situations, not minor annoyances.
Cultural Insight
Often used in religious texts to describe spiritual growth.
Grammar Shortcut
Always pair with 'from' when talking about an illness.
Say It Right
Focus on the short 'u' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a countable noun.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin for 'carrying from underneath'.
Study Smart
Learn it alongside 'endure' and 'alleviate'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Suffer-ing: You are 'suffering' because you are 'under' (sub) a 'load' (ferre).
Visual Association
A person carrying a giant, heavy stone.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write three sentences using 'alleviate suffering'.
語源
Latin/Old French
Original meaning: To bear or carry from underneath
文化的な背景
Can be a sensitive topic; avoid using lightly.
Often used in religious and humanitarian contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Medical
- suffering from symptoms
- alleviate patient suffering
- chronic suffering
Humanitarian
- reduce human suffering
- relief of suffering
- widespread suffering
Literature
- portrayal of suffering
- theme of suffering
- the nature of suffering
Daily Life
- endless suffering
- silent suffering
- cause of suffering
Conversation Starters
"How do you think we can alleviate human suffering?"
"Is suffering an inevitable part of life?"
"Have you ever seen someone suffering in silence?"
"What is the difference between pain and suffering?"
"Can suffering lead to personal growth?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you saw someone suffering.
Reflect on the quote: 'Suffering is the teacher of life.'
Describe a character in a book who endured great suffering.
How do you cope when you are going through a difficult time?
よくある質問
8 問Yes, it describes a state of pain or hardship.
No, it is uncountable.
The verb is 'suffer'.
You can use it as a subject or object of a verb.
It is neutral to formal.
Not exactly; it implies a deeper, more prolonged state.
Yes, it is commonly used for animals in distress.
It means someone who is very patient.
自分をテスト
The boy is ___ from a cold.
Suffering from is the correct collocation.
Which word means the same as suffering?
Pain is a synonym for suffering.
Suffering is a countable noun.
It is generally uncountable.
Word
意味
Collocations match verbs to nouns.
A world of long suffering.
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Summary
Suffering is the deep, prolonged endurance of physical or mental pain.
- Suffering is the state of enduring pain.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- Often used with the verb 'alleviate'.
- Carries a serious, emotional tone.
Memory Palace
Imagine a person carrying a heavy bag labeled 'Suffering'.
Native Usage
Use it to describe serious situations, not minor annoyances.
Cultural Insight
Often used in religious texts to describe spiritual growth.
Grammar Shortcut
Always pair with 'from' when talking about an illness.
