Suffer means to experience pain, distress, or hardship.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Experience pain or hardship.
- Can be physical or emotional.
- Used for difficult situations.
Overview
The word 'suffer' is a common verb used to describe the experience of pain, distress, or hardship. It signifies enduring something unpleasant or difficult, whether it's a physical injury, emotional pain, or challenging situations. At the A2 CEFR level, 'suffer' is introduced to help learners express basic feelings of discomfort and difficulty.
As a verb, 'suffer' can be used transitively (with a direct object) or intransitively (without a direct object). When used transitively, it means to be subjected to something negative. When used intransitively, it means to feel pain or distress. It is often followed by prepositions like 'from' to indicate the cause of the suffering.
You might hear or use 'suffer' in contexts related to health (e.g., 'He suffers from headaches'), personal hardship (e.g., 'They suffered during the war'), or even in less severe situations (e.g., 'My plants will suffer if I don't water them'). It's a versatile word for expressing negative experiences.
While 'suffer' means to experience pain or hardship, other words have related but distinct meanings. 'Hurt' often refers to physical pain or emotional sadness, but can be less intense than 'suffer'. 'Endure' means to continue to exist despite difficulties, focusing more on persistence than the feeling of pain. 'Undergo' means to experience something, often a process or treatment, which can be negative but isn't always associated with pain.
Usage Notes
'Suffer' is a common verb used to describe experiencing negative conditions. It can be used for both physical and emotional pain, as well as difficult circumstances. Be mindful of its intensity; it often implies a significant level of discomfort.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 'suffer' with less intense words like 'feel bad'. Ensure you are using 'suffer' when the experience is genuinely painful or difficult. Also, remember the common structure 'suffer from [cause]'.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone 'suffering' because they can't get enough 'sugar'. The sound 'suff-er' is like 'stuff-er', as in stuffing yourself with something you can't have, causing distress.
Word Origin
The word 'suffer' comes from the Latin word 'sufferre', meaning 'to bear, carry, endure, undergo'. It entered Old French and then Middle English, retaining its core meaning of experiencing something unpleasant.
Cultural Context
In many cultures, expressing suffering is a way to seek help or empathy. It's a fundamental human experience that connects people through shared vulnerability.
Examples
He suffers from terrible headaches.
everydayDia menderita sakit kepala yang parah.
The company had to suffer significant financial losses.
formalPerusahaan harus menanggung kerugian finansial yang signifikan.
I really suffer when I don't get enough sleep.
informalAku benar-benar menderita kalau kurang tidur.
The study examined how patients suffer from chronic diseases.
academicStudi tersebut mengkaji bagaimana pasien menderita penyakit kronis.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
suffer from
menderita karena
suffer in silence
menderita dalam diam
suffer a defeat
mengalami kekalahan
Often Confused With
'Hurt' often refers to a more immediate or specific pain, either physical or emotional. 'Suffer' implies a more prolonged or intense experience of pain, distress, or hardship.
'Endure' focuses on the ability to withstand or continue despite hardship, emphasizing persistence. 'Suffer' focuses more on the negative experience and pain caused by the hardship itself.
Grammar Patterns
Think of enduring difficulty
Remember 'suffer' when you need to express enduring pain, sadness, or very difficult times.
Avoid overuse for minor issues
While 'suffer' can be used for many difficulties, avoid using it for very small inconveniences to maintain its impact.
Empathy and shared experience
Using 'suffer' can show empathy towards someone else's difficult situation, acknowledging their pain.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
Many people <b>_______</b> from allergies during the spring.
'Suffer' means to experience discomfort or hardship, which fits the context of allergies.
Which sentence correctly uses the word 'suffer'?
Which sentence correctly uses 'suffer'?
This sentence correctly implies the car will experience negative consequences (deterioration) if not repaired.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence.
Arrange these words: 'from', 'allergies', 'he', 'suffers', 'bad'
This is the grammatically correct structure for indicating the cause of suffering.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsTo 'suffer from' something means that it is the cause of your pain or difficulty. For example, 'She suffers from allergies' means her allergies cause her discomfort.
Yes, 'suffer' can be used for animals experiencing pain or distress. For instance, 'The stray dog looked like it was suffering.'
Yes, 'suffer' generally implies a significant level of pain or difficulty. It's stronger than simply feeling 'unwell' or 'sad'.
Yes, you can 'suffer a loss', meaning you experience the pain and sadness that comes with losing something or someone important.
Summary
Suffer means to experience pain, distress, or hardship.
- Experience pain or hardship.
- Can be physical or emotional.
- Used for difficult situations.
Think of enduring difficulty
Remember 'suffer' when you need to express enduring pain, sadness, or very difficult times.
Avoid overuse for minor issues
While 'suffer' can be used for many difficulties, avoid using it for very small inconveniences to maintain its impact.
Empathy and shared experience
Using 'suffer' can show empathy towards someone else's difficult situation, acknowledging their pain.
Examples
4 of 4He suffers from terrible headaches.
Dia menderita sakit kepala yang parah.
The company had to suffer significant financial losses.
Perusahaan harus menanggung kerugian finansial yang signifikan.
I really suffer when I don't get enough sleep.
Aku benar-benar menderita kalau kurang tidur.
The study examined how patients suffer from chronic diseases.
Studi tersebut mengkaji bagaimana pasien menderita penyakit kronis.
See it in Videos
Learn it in Context
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
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