When we talk about "miseria," we're often looking at a deep sense of hardship, whether that's poverty, suffering, or general wretchedness. It's not just a little bit bad; it implies a profound lack or deprivation, extending to emotional states like extreme unhappiness. Think of it as a condition where things are genuinely dire, and comfort or well-being are severely absent. It's a strong word for significant distress or discomfort.

발음 가이드

UK /mɪˈsɛrɪə/
US /mɪˈsɛriə/
mi-SE-ria (stress on the second syllable)
라임이 맞는 단어
historia victoria gloria
자주 하는 실수
  • Mispronouncing the 'i' as a long 'e' sound (like in 'meet'). It should be a short 'i' sound (like in 'bit').
  • Misplacing the stress. The stress is on the second syllable, 'se'.

알아야 할 문법

Nouns in Spanish have gender (masculine or feminine). 'Miseria' is a feminine noun, so it will typically be preceded by feminine articles like 'la' (the) or 'una' (a/an).

La miseria que sentía era abrumadora. (The misery I felt was overwhelming.)

To express 'great distress' or 'deep discomfort,' you can use adjectives with 'miseria.' Common adjectives include 'profunda' (deep), 'extrema' (extreme), or 'terrible' (terrible).

Vivía en una miseria profunda. (He lived in deep misery.)

'Miseria' can be used with verbs like 'sentir' (to feel), 'vivir en' (to live in), or 'caer en' (to fall into).

Nadie quiere sentir miseria. (Nobody wants to feel misery.)

When talking about the state of being poor, 'miseria' is often used. It implies a severe lack of resources.

Muchas personas viven en la miseria. (Many people live in poverty/misery.)

It can also refer to a small, inadequate amount of something, similar to 'pittance' or 'scarcity.'

Le pagaron una miseria por su trabajo. (They paid him a pittance for his work.)

수준별 예문

1

La miseria que sentía tras la pérdida de su empleo era palpable para cualquiera que hablara con él.

The misery he felt after losing his job was palpable to anyone who spoke with him.

Using 'que sentía' (that he felt) to introduce a subordinate clause modifying 'miseria'.

2

A pesar de vivir en la opulencia, la miseria de su espíritu era evidente en su constante insatisfacción.

Despite living in opulence, the misery of his spirit was evident in his constant dissatisfaction.

Here, 'miseria de su espíritu' refers to spiritual or emotional distress.

3

La miseria de las condiciones de vida en el campo empujó a muchas familias a emigrar a la ciudad.

The wretchedness of the living conditions in the countryside pushed many families to emigrate to the city.

In this context, 'miseria' describes the poor quality or lack of something.

4

Su miseria económica lo obligó a tomar decisiones desesperadas para alimentar a sus hijos.

His economic hardship forced him to make desperate decisions to feed his children.

'Miseria económica' directly refers to poverty or financial distress.

5

La guerra dejó a la población en una miseria indescriptible, sin hogar ni esperanzas.

The war left the population in an indescribable misery, without home or hope.

Using 'indescriptible' (indescribable) as an adjective to intensify 'miseria'.

6

Ver a los niños sufrir tal miseria le rompió el corazón.

Seeing the children suffer such misery broke her heart.

'Sufrir miseria' is a common collocation meaning to experience great hardship.

7

A pesar de todo el dinero que tenía, su miseria interna era obvia para quienes lo conocían de verdad.

Despite all the money he had, his internal misery was obvious to those who truly knew him.

'Miseria interna' refers to inner suffering or unhappiness.

8

No puedes ignorar la miseria de aquellos que viven en la calle; es una responsabilidad social de todos.

You cannot ignore the destitution of those who live on the street; it's everyone's social responsibility.

In this case, 'miseria' emphasizes the extreme poverty and lack of basic necessities.

자주 쓰는 조합

vivir en la miseria to live in squalor / poverty
pasar miseria to suffer hardship
sentir miseria to feel misery
pura miseria pure misery
caer en la miseria to fall into poverty
reducido a la miseria reduced to poverty
salir de la miseria to get out of poverty
compartir la miseria to share the misery
gran miseria great misery
miseria humana human misery

자주 쓰는 구문

La guerra causó mucha miseria en el país.

The war caused a lot of misery in the country. (misery, hardship)

No quiero que mis hijos pasen la misma miseria que yo.

I don't want my children to suffer the same hardship as me. (hardship, suffering)

Viven en la miseria, sin acceso a servicios básicos.

They live in squalor, without access to basic services. (squalor, extreme poverty)

Es una miseria lo que ganan por tanto trabajo.

It's a pittance what they earn for so much work. (pittance, very small amount)

Su corazón estaba lleno de miseria después de la pérdida.

Her heart was full of misery after the loss. (misery, sorrow)

La miseria económica afecta a muchas familias.

Economic hardship affects many families. (hardship, poverty)

Prefiero la verdad, aunque me cause miseria.

I prefer the truth, even if it causes me distress. (distress, discomfort)

Sacar a su familia de la miseria era su mayor deseo.

To get his family out of poverty was his greatest wish. (poverty, destitution)

La miseria de su situación era evidente.

The wretchedness of their situation was evident. (wretchedness, deplorable state)

Esta enfermedad puede llevar a la miseria si no se trata.

This illness can lead to great suffering if not treated. (suffering, distress)

자주 혼동되는 단어

miseria vs Misery (English)

While 'misery' can be used similarly, 'miseria' in Spanish often implies a much more severe and profound level of suffering, destitution, or hardship. Think 'abject poverty' or 'utter wretchedness' rather than just 'feeling sad'.

miseria vs Poverty (English)

'Pobreza' is the direct translation for poverty. 'Miseria' can be a consequence of extreme poverty but emphasizes the accompanying deep suffering and distress, not just the lack of resources.

miseria vs Anguish (English)

'Angustia' is a better fit for emotional or mental anguish. 'Miseria' can include emotional anguish but also refers to physical hardship and a state of extreme deprivation.

혼동하기 쉬운

miseria vs Miseria

Often confused with 'misery' in English, which can imply general unhappiness. 'Miseria' in Spanish has a stronger, more intense meaning, focusing on severe hardship, extreme poverty, or profound suffering.

While 'misery' can be a mild discomfort, 'miseria' describes a deep, often prolonged state of destitution, anguish, or severe deprivation.

Viven en la miseria absoluta, sin comida ni techo. (They live in absolute destitution, without food or shelter.)

miseria vs Pobreza

While related to 'miseria', 'pobreza' (poverty) is a more general term for lacking financial resources. 'Miseria' can be a consequence of 'pobreza' but also describes the emotional and physical suffering that accompanies it.

'Pobreza' is the state of having little money; 'miseria' is the suffering, hardship, and distress resulting from that state or other dire circumstances.

La pobreza en esa región es alarmante. (Poverty in that region is alarming.)

miseria vs Angustia

Both 'angustia' and 'miseria' can convey distress. However, 'angustia' is primarily about mental or emotional anxiety, fear, or anguish, while 'miseria' can encompass physical suffering and a broader state of destitution.

'Angustia' focuses on internal emotional distress, often linked to fear or worry. 'Miseria' refers to a more encompassing state of hardship, suffering, and sometimes extreme poverty.

Sentía una gran angustia por su futuro. (She felt great anguish about her future.)

miseria vs Desgracia

'Desgracia' can mean misfortune or disaster, which might lead to a state of 'miseria'. However, 'desgracia' is the event or condition itself, whereas 'miseria' is the suffering or hardship that results from it.

'Desgracia' is an unfortunate event or bad luck. 'Miseria' is the state of severe suffering or deprivation that can be caused by 'desgracia'.

Fue una desgracia perder todo en el incendio. (It was a misfortune to lose everything in the fire.)

miseria vs Sufrimiento

Both 'sufrimiento' (suffering) and 'miseria' involve pain or distress. 'Sufrimiento' is the general experience of enduring pain, discomfort, or hardship. 'Miseria' often describes a deeper, more pervasive, and often long-term state of severe suffering, often accompanied by destitution.

'Sufrimiento' is the act or experience of suffering. 'Miseria' is a state of extreme and profound suffering, often tied to destitution or extreme hardship.

El sufrimiento de los refugiados es inmenso. (The suffering of the refugees is immense.)

어휘 가족

명사

miserable miserable person, wretch
misericordia mercy, compassion

형용사

miserable miserable, wretched, poor
misericordioso merciful, compassionate

Think beyond money

When you hear miseria, don't just think about being poor financially. It's much broader. Think about a feeling of intense sadness or difficulty.

Situational distress

Miseria can describe a difficult situation that causes distress. For example, 'La miseria de la guerra' means 'The misery of war'.

Personal suffering

It can also describe a person's inner suffering. 'Sentía una gran miseria en su corazón' means 'He felt great misery in his heart'.

Associate with 'sadness'

A good way to remember miseria is to link it with intense sadness or a feeling of being utterly down. It's more profound than just 'sad'.

Not always extreme

While miseria implies 'great distress,' it's used in everyday language for significant discomfort, not just extreme tragedy. Think of it like 'hardship'.

Don't confuse with 'miserly'

Be careful not to confuse miseria with the English word miserly, which means stingy. They are not directly related in meaning.

Common phrases

You might hear 'vivir en la miseria' which means 'to live in poverty/misery' or 'causar miseria' meaning 'to cause misery/distress'.

Related to 'miserable'

Think of the English word miserable, which comes from the same Latin root. It expresses a similar feeling of unhappiness or discomfort.

Use in context

To truly understand miseria, pay attention to how it's used in sentences. Is it describing a general state, a specific event, or a personal feeling? For example: 'La miseria en el campo era evidente.' (The misery in the countryside was evident.)

Deeper connotation

Miseria often carries a connotation of deprivation, suffering, or hardship that is prolonged or widespread, not just a fleeting bad mood. It's about a profound lack of well-being.

셀프 테스트 48 질문

sentence order A1

아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: La casa está en la miseria.

This sentence means 'The house is in misery.' or 'The house is in a state of disrepair.'

sentence order A1

아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: Siento mucha miseria por él.

This sentence means 'I feel a lot of pity/distress for him.'

sentence order A1

아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: Vive en la miseria.

This sentence means 'He/She lives in misery.'

fill blank B2

Después de perder su trabajo y su casa, su vida se convirtió en una _________ constante.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: miseria

The context implies a state of distress after losing a job and home, making 'miseria' (misery/distress) the most appropriate fit.

fill blank B2

La _________ de la guerra dejó a muchas familias sin hogar ni alimento.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: miseria

Wars typically cause widespread suffering and hardship, so 'miseria' (misery/distress) is the correct choice to describe the outcome.

fill blank B2

A pesar de vivir en la _________, siempre encontró una razón para sonreír.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: miseria

The phrase 'a pesar de' (despite) indicates a contrast, meaning despite hardship, the person found happiness. 'Miseria' fits this contrast.

fill blank B2

No pudo soportar la _________ de la prisión por mucho tiempo.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: miseria

Prison is associated with discomfort and distress, so 'miseria' (distress/hardship) accurately describes the experience.

fill blank B2

La sequía prolongada llevó a la _________ a los agricultores de la región.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: miseria

A prolonged drought would cause hardship and distress for farmers, making 'miseria' (distress/misery) the appropriate word.

fill blank B2

Era una vida de _________, pero se esforzaron por superarla.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: miseria

The phrase 'se esforzaron por superarla' (they strived to overcome it) implies overcoming a difficult situation, so 'miseria' (misery/hardship) is the correct word.

sentence order B2

아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: La miseria en el mundo es algo que debemos combatir.

This sentence translates to: 'Misery in the world is something we must fight.' The word order in Spanish follows a similar structure to English for this type of declarative sentence.

sentence order B2

아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: Sentía una gran miseria después de perder su trabajo.

This sentence translates to: 'He/She felt great misery after losing his/her job.' The direct object 'una gran miseria' follows the verb 'sentía'.

sentence order B2

아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: A pesar de la miseria económica, mantuvieron la esperanza.

This sentence translates to: 'Despite the economic misery, they maintained hope.' The phrase 'A pesar de' means 'despite' and introduces the condition.

multiple choice C1

Choose the best synonym for 'miseria' in this context: 'La miseria de la guerra afectó a millones de personas.'

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: pobreza

'Miseria' often refers to extreme poverty, which is 'pobreza' in Spanish.

multiple choice C1

Which of the following situations would most likely cause 'miseria'?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: Perder el empleo y no tener hogar

Losing a job and being homeless would lead to a state of great distress and discomfort, which is 'miseria'.

multiple choice C1

If someone is living in 'miseria', what are they probably experiencing?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: Sufrimiento y penurias

'Miseria' implies suffering and hardship.

true false C1

The word 'miseria' always refers to financial hardship.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: 거짓

While 'miseria' often refers to poverty, it can also describe a state of great emotional or physical distress, not just financial.

true false C1

If a person is experiencing 'miseria', they are likely very content and happy.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: 거짓

'Miseria' describes a state of great distress or discomfort, the opposite of contentment and happiness.

true false C1

A country experiencing a severe drought could be said to be suffering from 'miseria'.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

A severe drought would cause widespread distress, hunger, and discomfort, which aligns with the meaning of 'miseria'.

fill blank C2

La ___ de su situación se reflejaba en sus ojos cansados y en su ropa gastada.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: miseria

The context of 'tired eyes and worn clothes' suggests a state of distress or discomfort, which 'miseria' best describes. 'Felicidad', 'alegría' (happiness, joy) and 'opulencia' (opulence) are antonyms.

fill blank C2

A pesar de la ___ económica que azotaba la región, la gente mantenía la esperanza.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: miseria

An economic state that is 'azotaba' (lashing/hitting) a region indicates hardship, making 'miseria' the most fitting choice. The other options describe positive economic conditions.

fill blank C2

El anciano vivía en una ___ absoluta, sin recursos ni compañía.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: miseria

'Without resources or company' strongly suggests a state of destitution or profound distress, which is 'miseria'. The other options imply comfort or wealth.

fill blank C2

Su rostro reflejaba la ___ interna que sentía después de la tragedia.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: miseria

Following a tragedy, one would typically feel great distress or discomfort, which is 'miseria'. 'Serenidad', 'paz', and 'calma' (serenity, peace, calm) are contradictory.

fill blank C2

La novela describe la ___ de los campesinos oprimidos por el sistema feudal.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: miseria

The phrase 'oppressed by the feudal system' implies suffering and hardship, making 'miseria' the appropriate term to describe the state of the peasants. The other options suggest positive conditions.

fill blank C2

A pesar de su fama y fortuna, sentía una profunda ___ en su alma.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: miseria

Even with fame and fortune, one can experience profound inner distress or discomfort. 'Miseria' fits this emotional state, contrasting with 'contento', 'alegría', and 'satisfacción' (contentment, joy, satisfaction).

multiple choice C2

Choose the best synonym for 'miseria' in the context of emotional suffering.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: Angustia

'Angustia' (anguish/distress) is the closest synonym for 'miseria' when referring to emotional suffering.

multiple choice C2

Which sentence uses 'miseria' correctly to describe extreme poverty?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: La miseria de su situación económica era evidente.

In this context, 'miseria' refers to extreme poverty, which aligns with 'situación económica'.

multiple choice C2

If someone is living in 'miseria', what is most likely their circumstance?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: They are experiencing extreme hardship and deprivation.

'Miseria' often implies a state of extreme hardship, poverty, and deprivation.

true false C2

The word 'miseria' can be used to describe both emotional and material distress.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

'Miseria' is versatile and can indeed refer to both emotional suffering (e.g., 'sentir miseria') and material hardship (e.g., 'vivir en la miseria').

true false C2

If someone says '¡Qué miseria!', they are expressing great joy or satisfaction.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: 거짓

When someone exclaims '¡Qué miseria!', they are typically expressing a strong feeling of disappointment, pity, or distress, not joy.

true false C2

A person experiencing 'miseria' is likely to be feeling content and comfortable.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: 거짓

On the contrary, 'miseria' describes a state of discomfort, distress, or hardship, meaning the person would not be content or comfortable.

listening C2

The economic distress of the postwar period.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: La miseria económica de la posguerra afectó a millones de familias.
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening C2

He felt a deep distress remembering his painful past.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: Sentía una miseria profunda al recordar su pasado doloroso.
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening C2

Despite the misery, people maintained hope.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: A pesar de la miseria, la gente mantenía la esperanza de un futuro mejor.
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking C2

Read this aloud:

La miseria humana es un tema recurrente en la literatura universal.

Focus: mi-se-ria, hu-ma-na, re-cu-rren-te, li-te-ra-tu-ra, u-ni-ver-sal

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking C2

Read this aloud:

No podemos ignorar la miseria que sufren muchas comunidades en el mundo.

Focus: ig-no-rar, mi-se-ria, su-fren, mu-chas, co-mu-ni-da-des

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking C2

Read this aloud:

La miseria puede ser tanto material como espiritual.

Focus: mi-se-ria, ma-te-rial, es-pi-ri-tual

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
sentence order C2

아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: La miseria de su alma se reflejaba en sus ojos.

This sentence describes inner suffering. 'La miseria' (the misery) is the subject, followed by 'de su alma' (of his/her soul). Then the verb 'se reflejaba' (was reflected) and 'en sus ojos' (in his/her eyes).

sentence order C2

아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: Vivían en una miseria extrema después de la guerra.

This sentence refers to a state of destitution. 'Vivían' (They lived) starts the sentence, followed by 'en una miseria extrema' (in extreme misery) and 'después de la guerra' (after the war).

sentence order C2

아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답: No puedo soportar la miseria de ver a mis hijos con hambre.

This sentence conveys a feeling of intense distress. 'No puedo soportar' (I cannot bear) is followed by 'la miseria' (the misery) and then 'de ver a mis hijos con hambre' (of seeing my children hungry).

/ 48 correct

Perfect score!

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