用你的语言查看此页面

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

हिन्दी

A2 verb #6 最常用 15分钟阅读

suffer

前6

At the A1 level, 'suffer' is a word you might encounter when talking about basic health. You use it to say you have a common illness like a cold or a headache. The most important thing to learn is the phrase 'suffer from'. For example, 'I suffer from a cold.' It helps you tell a doctor or a friend that you are not feeling well. You might also see it in simple stories where a character is sad or in pain. At this level, you don't need to worry about the complex uses; just focus on physical pain and the 'from' preposition. It is a useful word for expressing basic needs and feelings related to health. You will often see it in simple sentences like 'He is suffering.' This helps you understand that someone is in trouble or needs help. Learning this word early helps you build a foundation for talking about more complex problems later on. It is a key part of the vocabulary for health and well-being. Remember, 'suffer' means you feel bad because of something like a sickness. It is a very common word in English, so it is good to know it even at the beginning of your learning journey.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'suffer' in more varied ways. You still use it for health, like 'She suffers from allergies,' but you also start to use it for simple situational problems. For example, you might say 'The plants suffer in the heat.' This shows you understand that things other than people can experience hardship. You also learn that 'suffer' can be used without 'from' when talking about specific events, like 'He suffered a broken arm.' This is a slightly more advanced way to describe an injury. You will also encounter the word in news stories about weather or small accidents. Understanding the difference between 'suffer from' (for long-term things) and 'suffer' (for one-time events) is a key goal at this level. You might also start to see 'suffer' used for emotional things, like being sad after a pet dies. It is a versatile word that helps you describe many different kinds of negative experiences. By the end of A2, you should feel comfortable using 'suffer' to talk about your health and the health of others, as well as simple problems in the world around you.

At the B1 level, your use of 'suffer' becomes more abstract and nuanced. You start to use it to describe the consequences of actions or the decline of quality. For example, 'The business suffered because of the bad economy.' This shows you can connect causes and effects using this word. You also use 'suffer' more frequently in emotional contexts, such as 'He suffered from a lack of confidence.' This level involves understanding more idioms and common phrases, like 'suffer in silence' or 'suffer the consequences.' You are now able to use 'suffer' in more formal writing, such as essays or reports, to describe social issues like poverty or inequality. You might also compare 'suffer' with synonyms like 'endure' or 'tolerate' to choose the best word for your meaning. At B1, you are expected to use the correct tenses, such as the present perfect ('He has suffered for a long time'), to describe ongoing situations. This level is about moving beyond simple physical pain to more complex human and social experiences. You are building a more sophisticated vocabulary that allows you to express empathy and analyze problems in a more detailed way.

At the B2 level, 'suffer' is used with a high degree of precision in both formal and informal contexts. You understand the subtle differences between 'suffer', 'undergo', and 'sustain'. For instance, you might use 'sustain an injury' in a formal report instead of 'suffer an injury'. You also use 'suffer' to describe complex societal and economic trends. For example, 'The education system has suffered from a lack of investment over the last decade.' This shows an ability to use the word in a sophisticated, analytical way. You are comfortable with various idiomatic expressions and can use them naturally in conversation. You also understand how 'suffer' can be used ironically or for emphasis in everyday speech. At this level, you can discuss the philosophical or ethical aspects of suffering, perhaps in a debate or a long essay. Your understanding of the word's etymology might also help you appreciate its use in literature and historical texts. B2 learners should be able to use 'suffer' to convey a wide range of meanings, from the deeply personal to the broadly systemic, with appropriate tone and register.

At the C1 level, you have a masterly command of 'suffer' and its many nuances. You can use it in highly formal academic or legal writing, where precision is paramount. For example, you might discuss how a legal case involves 'pain and suffering' or how a scientific experiment 'suffered from a lack of control variables.' You are also sensitive to the word's register and can choose it over synonyms to achieve a specific rhetorical effect. You might use 'suffer' to evoke a sense of tragedy or to highlight the gravity of a situation. Your vocabulary includes rare or literary uses of the word, and you can interpret complex metaphors involving suffering in poetry and prose. At this level, you can also discuss the word's history and how its meaning has shifted over time. You are able to use 'suffer' in a way that is both precise and evocative, showing a deep understanding of the English language's expressive potential. C1 learners use 'suffer' as a tool for nuanced communication, capable of handling the most complex and sensitive topics with ease and sophistication.

At the C2 level, your understanding of 'suffer' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use the word in all its forms and contexts, from the most casual slang to the most formal legal or philosophical discourse. You are aware of the word's deepest connotations and can use it to create subtle layers of meaning in your writing and speech. You might use 'suffer' in a way that references its Latin roots or its use in classical literature, such as 'suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.' You can also use it to describe highly abstract concepts, such as the 'suffering of an idea' or the 'suffering of a language.' Your use of the word is characterized by a high degree of creativity and precision. You can effortlessly switch between different registers and styles, always choosing the perfect form of 'suffer' for the occasion. At C2, 'suffer' is not just a word you know; it is a word you can play with, using it to express the full range of human experience with clarity, power, and grace.

开始练习例句笔记与提示

suffer 30秒了解

Suffer is a verb used to describe the experience of physical pain, emotional distress, or any kind of hardship or negative event.
It is commonly used with the preposition 'from' when talking about illnesses, such as 'suffering from a cold' or 'suffering from stress'.
The word can also describe a decline in quality or performance, like a business suffering a loss or a garden suffering in a drought.
It is a versatile word found in medical, news, literary, and everyday contexts to convey the seriousness of a problem or experience.

The verb suffer is a fundamental word in English used to describe the experience of something unpleasant, painful, or difficult. At its core, it signifies a state of undergoing distress, whether that distress is physical, emotional, or situational. For an A2 learner, understanding 'suffer' is essential because it allows you to communicate health issues, personal struggles, and the negative impacts of events. It is a word that carries weight, often used to express empathy or to report on the well-being of individuals and groups. When we say someone is suffering, we are acknowledging their pain and the hardship they are facing.

Physical Pain: This refers to bodily discomfort caused by illness or injury. For example, 'He is suffering from a broken leg.' It describes the ongoing sensation of pain that a person must endure while they are hurt or sick.

Many people suffer from headaches when they are stressed or tired.

Beyond physical pain, 'suffer' is frequently used to describe emotional or mental distress. This includes feelings of sadness, anxiety, or grief. When someone loses a loved one or goes through a difficult breakup, they are said to suffer emotionally. This usage highlights the internal struggle that isn't always visible to others but is deeply felt by the individual. In literature and daily conversation, this aspect of 'suffer' helps build a narrative of human resilience and the shared experience of hardship.

Emotional Distress: The internal experience of grief, sadness, or mental anguish. 'She suffered greatly after the loss of her cat,' indicates a deep emotional pain that lasts over time.

It is hard to watch a friend suffer through a difficult time in their life.

In a broader sense, 'suffer' can also describe the negative effects on things that are not human, such as an economy, a business, or the quality of a product. If a company does not have enough workers, its production will suffer. This means the production will become worse or less effective. This metaphorical use is very common in news reports and professional settings. It allows speakers to describe a decline in quality or performance caused by external factors or internal problems.

Decline in Quality: When something becomes less successful or of lower quality due to a problem. 'The garden suffered during the long, hot summer without rain.'

His school grades suffered because he spent too much time playing video games.

The word 'suffer' also appears in formal contexts, such as law and medicine. In legal terms, 'pain and suffering' is a phrase used to describe the physical and mental distress for which a person might seek compensation after an accident. In medicine, doctors use 'suffer' to categorize the symptoms and conditions patients report. Understanding these contexts helps you see that 'suffer' is not just a word for complaining; it is a precise term for identifying and addressing human and systemic problems.

The patient suffered a minor injury during the fall but is recovering well.

Finally, 'suffer' is used to describe enduring or tolerating something unpleasant. Although this is slightly more formal or old-fashioned, you might hear phrases like 'I cannot suffer fools,' meaning the person has no patience for people they consider foolish. However, for most A2 learners, the primary focus should be on the physical and emotional aspects of the word, as these are the most frequent in daily life. Whether it's a headache, a bad economy, or a sad heart, 'suffer' is the word that connects these experiences of hardship.

The community suffered a great deal after the storm destroyed many homes.

Using 'suffer' correctly involves understanding its grammatical patterns and the prepositions that often accompany it. The most common pattern for health issues is suffer from [condition]. This structure is used for diseases, chronic pain, or persistent problems. For example, 'She suffers from allergies every spring.' Here, the preposition 'from' links the person to the cause of their distress. It is important not to omit 'from' when talking about illnesses, as 'she suffers allergies' sounds incomplete or incorrect in standard English.

Suffer From: Used for illnesses, diseases, or long-term problems. 'Many elderly people suffer from arthritis.'

He suffers from a lack of confidence when speaking in public.

Another way to use 'suffer' is as a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object without a preposition. This is typically used for specific events like injuries, losses, or defeats. You might say, 'The team suffered a defeat,' or 'He suffered a broken arm.' In these cases, 'suffer' means to experience or undergo a specific negative event. This usage is very common in news reporting, sports commentary, and formal writing. It sounds more objective and factual than the 'suffer from' construction.

Suffer [Object]: Used for specific negative events like injuries or losses. 'The company suffered a huge financial loss last year.'

The city suffered extensive damage during the earthquake.

'Suffer' can also be used alone as an intransitive verb to describe a general state of pain or decline. For instance, 'The animals are suffering' implies they are in pain or distress without needing to specify exactly what from. Similarly, 'The quality of the food has suffered' means the food is no longer as good as it used to be. This usage is powerful because it focuses on the state of the subject rather than the cause of the problem. It is often used to evoke emotion or to point out a general decline in standards.

Intransitive Suffer: Used to describe a general state of distress or decline. 'If you don't water the plants, they will suffer.'

Without proper funding, the local library will suffer.

In terms of tenses, 'suffer' is a regular verb. Its past tense and past participle are 'suffered', and the present participle is 'suffering'. You will often see it in the present continuous tense to describe ongoing pain: 'He is suffering right now.' Or in the present perfect to describe a condition that started in the past and continues: 'She has suffered from back pain for years.' Mastering these tenses allows you to accurately describe the timing and duration of the hardship being experienced.

The victims have suffered enough; they need our help immediately.

Finally, consider the phrase 'suffer in silence'. This is a common idiom meaning to experience pain or trouble without complaining or telling anyone. It highlights a specific way of suffering—one that is private and stoic. Using such phrases can make your English sound more natural and idiomatic. Whether you are describing a physical ailment, a business loss, or a private struggle, choosing the right structure for 'suffer' ensures your message is clear and appropriately serious.

Don't suffer in silence; if you are confused, please ask for help.

The word 'suffer' is prevalent across many different domains of life, from the doctor's office to the evening news. In medical settings, it is the standard way to describe a patient's history or current symptoms. You will hear doctors ask, 'How long have you been suffering from these symptoms?' or read in a medical report that a patient 'suffers from chronic fatigue.' It provides a professional yet empathetic way to discuss health problems, focusing on the patient's experience of the illness.

Medical Context: Used by healthcare professionals to describe a patient's condition. 'He suffers from a rare genetic disorder.'

The report says many children in the region suffer from malnutrition.

In the news and media, 'suffer' is used to report on disasters, economic shifts, and social issues. When a natural disaster strikes, news anchors will report on the 'suffering' of the local population. In financial news, you might hear that 'the stock market suffered its worst day in months.' This usage helps to convey the severity and impact of events, making the news feel more immediate and significant. It connects abstract numbers or distant events to the real-world consequences they have on people and systems.

News & Media: Used to describe the impact of disasters or economic changes. 'The tourism industry has suffered due to the travel ban.'

Thousands of people suffered when the power grid failed during the storm.

Literature and film are also rich with the word 'suffer'. Authors use it to explore the human condition, depicting characters who suffer for love, for their beliefs, or due to their own mistakes. In movies, a protagonist might suffer a series of setbacks before finally achieving their goal. This narrative use of 'suffer' creates tension and emotional investment for the audience. It is a key word in storytelling because it defines the obstacles that characters must overcome, making their eventual success more meaningful.

Literature & Film: Used to describe the challenges and emotional pain of characters. 'The hero must suffer many trials before he can return home.'

In the novel, the main character suffers from a deep sense of loneliness.

In everyday conversation, 'suffer' is used to express sympathy or to complain about minor inconveniences. You might say to a friend, 'I'm sorry you're suffering with that cold,' or jokingly say, 'We all had to suffer through that long meeting.' While the latter is a less serious use, it still conveys the idea of enduring something unpleasant. This versatility makes 'suffer' a very useful word in daily interactions, allowing you to match the tone of your conversation to the situation, whether it's deeply serious or mildly annoying.

I had to suffer through a two-hour delay at the airport yesterday.

Finally, you will encounter 'suffer' in academic and professional discussions about quality and standards. If a researcher says, 'The accuracy of the data suffered due to poor equipment,' they are explaining a technical failure. In a business meeting, someone might note that 'customer service has suffered since the merger.' In these contexts, 'suffer' is a precise way to describe a decline in performance, helping professionals identify where improvements are needed. From personal pain to professional performance, 'suffer' is a word that describes the reality of things going wrong.

The overall quality of the product suffered when they switched to cheaper materials.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 'suffer' is using the wrong preposition or forgetting it entirely. As mentioned before, when talking about an illness or a chronic condition, you must use suffer from. Many students say 'He suffers a headache' when they should say 'He is suffering from a headache.' The transitive use (without 'from') is reserved for specific events like injuries or losses, not for ongoing medical conditions. Understanding this distinction is key to sounding like a natural speaker.

Mistake: Missing Preposition: Incorrect: 'She suffers depression.' Correct: 'She suffers from depression.' Use 'from' for conditions.

Don't say: 'He suffers the flu.' Say: 'He is suffering from the flu.'

Another common error is confusing 'suffer' with 'feel' or 'have'. While they are related, they are not always interchangeable. 'I have a headache' is a simple statement of fact, while 'I am suffering from a headache' emphasizes the pain and distress. Using 'suffer' for very minor things can sometimes sound too dramatic. For example, saying 'I am suffering from a small itch' might sound strange unless the itch is actually very bothersome. Choose 'suffer' when you want to emphasize the negative impact or the endurance required.

Mistake: Over-dramatization: Using 'suffer' for very trivial things. 'I suffered a broken pencil' is too dramatic; 'My pencil broke' is better.

It's better to say 'I have a cold' than 'I am suffering from a cold' unless it's a very bad one.

Learners also sometimes confuse the transitive and intransitive uses. Remember that when you use 'suffer' with an object like 'a loss' or 'a defeat', you do not need 'from'. Saying 'The team suffered from a defeat' is grammatically possible but means something different—it implies the defeat caused ongoing problems, rather than just being the event itself. Usually, you just want to say 'The team suffered a defeat.' Pay close attention to whether you are describing an event (no 'from') or a condition (use 'from').

Mistake: Transitive vs. Intransitive: Incorrect: 'The company suffered from a loss of money.' Correct: 'The company suffered a loss of money.' (When reporting the event).

The athlete suffered a knee injury during the final minutes of the game.

Finally, be careful with the word 'suffering' used as a noun. While 'suffer' is a verb, 'suffering' can be the act of suffering. Some learners use 'suffer' when they need the noun 'suffering'. For example, 'The suffer of the people was great' is incorrect; it should be 'The suffering of the people was great.' Keeping the parts of speech clear will help you build more complex and accurate sentences. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can use 'suffer' with confidence and precision in any situation.

The war caused immense suffering for millions of innocent civilians.

In summary, the most important things to remember are: use 'from' for conditions, don't use 'from' for specific events like injuries, avoid over-dramatizing minor issues, and distinguish between the verb 'suffer' and the noun 'suffering'. Mastering these points will significantly improve your English proficiency and help you communicate difficult topics more effectively.

If you suffer a setback, don't give up; use it as a learning experience.

While 'suffer' is a very common word, English offers many alternatives that can provide more specific meaning or a different tone. One of the closest synonyms is endure. To endure something means to suffer through it patiently or to remain firm under hardship. While 'suffer' focuses on the pain itself, 'endure' often highlights the strength or time required to get through it. For example, 'She endured years of hardship' suggests a certain level of resilience that 'suffer' might not emphasize as strongly.

Endure vs. Suffer: 'Endure' emphasizes the duration and the strength to survive. 'Suffer' focuses more on the experience of pain itself.

The marathon runners had to endure extreme heat during the race.

Another useful alternative is undergo. This word is often used in medical or formal contexts to describe experiencing a process, such as surgery or a transformation. While 'suffer' implies the experience is negative, 'undergo' is more neutral, though it is often used for difficult things. You might say, 'He underwent surgery,' which sounds more professional than 'He suffered through surgery.' It focuses on the event as a necessary process rather than just a painful experience.

Undergo vs. Suffer: 'Undergo' is more formal and neutral. It is used for processes like medical treatments or changes. 'Suffer' is more emotional and negative.

The building is undergoing major renovations this month.

If you want to describe a physical sensation of pain, words like ache, hurt, or throb can be more descriptive. 'My head aches' is more specific than 'I am suffering from a headache.' These words tell the listener exactly what kind of pain you are feeling. 'Hurt' is a very general word that can be used for both physical and emotional pain, similar to 'suffer', but it is less formal. 'I hurt my arm' is a simple way to describe an injury, while 'I suffered an arm injury' is more formal and serious.

Ache/Hurt vs. Suffer: 'Ache' and 'hurt' are more direct and less formal. They describe the physical sensation more specifically than 'suffer'.

My muscles ache after that long hike in the mountains.

In a professional or economic context, you might use decline or deteriorate instead of 'suffer'. If a company's profits are going down, you can say 'profits have declined.' If someone's health is getting worse, you can say 'their health is deteriorating.' These words are more precise in describing the direction and nature of the change. 'Suffer' is still a good choice when you want to emphasize the negative impact, but 'decline' and 'deteriorate' provide a clearer picture of what is happening.

The condition of the old house has deteriorated over the years.

Finally, consider the word tolerate. This means to allow or endure something that you do not like. While 'suffer' implies you are being hurt by something, 'tolerate' implies you are putting up with it. For example, 'I can't tolerate that loud noise' means you find it annoying and want it to stop. 'Suffer' is deeper and more serious than 'tolerate'. By learning these alternatives, you can express yourself more clearly and choose the word that perfectly fits the situation you are describing.

She had to tolerate her neighbor's loud music for hours.

How Formal Is It?

正式

中性

非正式

Child friendly

俚语

趣味小知识

The word 'suffer' is related to the word 'ferry' and 'transfer' because they all come from the same Latin root 'ferre' (to carry). So, when you suffer, you are literally 'carrying' a burden under you!

发音指南

UK /ˈsʌf.ə(r)/

US /ˈsʌf.ɚ/

The stress is on the first syllable: SUFF-er.

押韵词

buffer tougher rougher bluffer snuffer stuffer duffer puffer

常见错误

Pronouncing the 'u' like the 'oo' in 'food'.
Putting the stress on the second syllable.
Making the 'f' sound too soft.
Pronouncing the 'er' too strongly in British English.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'supper'.

难度评级

阅读 2/5

The word is common in many types of texts, from news to stories.

写作 3/5

Requires knowledge of prepositions like 'from' and 'through'.

口语 2/5

Easy to pronounce and very useful for describing health.

听力 2/5

Clearly pronounced and often used in medical and news contexts.

接下来学什么

前置知识

pain sick hurt bad feel

接下来学习

endure tolerate undergo hardship consequence

高级

deteriorate languish agonize sustain affliction

需要掌握的语法

Preposition 'from' for conditions

She suffers from migraines.

Transitive use for specific events

The city suffered damage.

Present continuous for current state

He is suffering right now.

Present perfect for ongoing conditions

They have suffered for years.

Noun form 'suffering'

The suffering was immense.

按水平分级的例句

I suffer from a cold.

I feel bad because I have a cold.

Use 'from' with health problems.

He is suffering today.

He is in pain or sad right now.

Present continuous for right now.

Do you suffer from headaches?

Do you often have pain in your head?

Question form with 'do'.

She suffers from a backache.

Her back hurts a lot.

Third person 's' on the verb.

The dog is suffering.

The dog is in pain.

Intransitive use (no object).

They suffer in the winter.

They have a hard time when it is cold.

Present simple for general truth.

I don't want you to suffer.

I want you to be okay.

Negative form with 'don't'.

The cat suffers from the heat.

The cat feels bad because it is hot.

Using 'from' for external causes.

She suffers from seasonal allergies.

She gets sick during certain times of the year.

Adjective 'seasonal' describes the condition.

He suffered a broken leg in the accident.

His leg broke during the crash.

Transitive use for a specific injury.

The plants will suffer if you don't water them.

The plants will get dry and die.

Future tense with 'will'.

Many people suffer from stress at work.

Work makes many people feel bad.

Abstract noun 'stress' after 'from'.

The team suffered a defeat last night.

The team lost the game.

Transitive use for a sports loss.

She has suffered from this pain for a week.

The pain started a week ago and is still here.

Present perfect for duration.

Don't suffer in silence; tell me what's wrong.

Don't keep your pain a secret.

Common idiom 'suffer in silence'.

The quality of the food suffered because the chef was away.

The food was not as good as usual.

Past tense 'suffered' for a decline in quality.

The economy suffered a major blow during the pandemic.

The economy was badly damaged.

Metaphorical use for an abstract system.

He suffers from a lack of motivation lately.

He doesn't feel like doing anything.

Using 'from' with a lack of something.

The victims of the flood are still suffering.

People who lost their homes are still in trouble.

Present continuous for an ongoing situation.

She suffered through the long, boring movie.

She endured the movie even though she hated it.

Using 'through' for a tedious experience.

If you lie, you will have to suffer the consequences.

You will face the bad results of your actions.

Common phrase 'suffer the consequences'.

The project suffered because of poor communication.

The project didn't go well because people didn't talk.

Causal link with 'because of'.

He has suffered many hardships in his life.

He has had many difficult times.

Plural noun 'hardships' as the object.

The reputation of the company suffered after the scandal.

People stopped trusting the company.

Subject is 'reputation'.

The patient suffered a relapse after appearing to recover.

The patient got sick again.

Medical term 'relapse' as the object.

The small town suffered greatly when the factory closed.

The town had a very hard time.

Adverb 'greatly' modifies the verb.

He is suffering from a crisis of conscience.

He is worried about whether he did the right thing.

Idiomatic expression for moral doubt.

The artistic quality of the film suffered from a low budget.

The film didn't look good because there wasn't enough money.

Using 'from' to indicate the cause of decline.

They suffered the indignity of being ignored by the committee.

They felt embarrassed because they were ignored.

Abstract noun 'indignity' as the object.

The region has suffered from persistent drought for years.

There has been no rain for a long time.

Present perfect with 'for years'.

He suffered a heart attack while jogging.

His heart suddenly had a serious problem.

Transitive use for a medical event.

The truth often suffers in times of war.

People don't tell the truth during a war.

Abstract subject 'the truth'.

The credibility of the witness suffered under cross-examination.

People stopped believing the witness.

Using 'under' to show the context of the decline.

He suffered a crushing defeat in the primary elections.

He lost the election very badly.

Adjective 'crushing' emphasizes the loss.

The environment continues to suffer from human negligence.

Nature is being damaged because people don't care.

Abstract noun 'negligence' as the cause.

She suffered the loss of her fortune with remarkable grace.

She lost all her money but stayed calm and polite.

Transitive use with a prepositional phrase.

The narrative suffers from a lack of character development.

The story isn't good because the characters don't change.

Literary criticism context.

He suffered a severe blow to his ego when he wasn't promoted.

He felt very bad about himself.

Metaphorical 'blow to his ego'.

The population suffered immensely under the oppressive regime.

The people had a very hard time because of the government.

Adverb 'immensely' for extreme suffering.

His health suffered as a result of his long working hours.

He got sick because he worked too much.

Phrase 'as a result of' for causality.

The poet explores the theme of suffering in his latest collection.

The poet writes about pain and hardship.

Noun 'suffering' as the object of a preposition.

He suffered the ignominy of a public scandal.

He was deeply embarrassed by a public problem.

Sophisticated noun 'ignominy'.

The integrity of the structure suffered due to poor engineering.

The building became unsafe because of bad design.

Abstract subject 'integrity'.

She suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

She endured many bad things that happened by chance.

Literary allusion to Shakespeare's Hamlet.

The philosophical debate suffered from a lack of clear definitions.

The debate wasn't good because terms weren't clear.

Abstract academic context.

He suffered a complete mental breakdown after the trial.

His mind could no longer cope with the stress.

Transitive use for a psychological event.

The language itself suffered during the period of colonization.

The language was damaged or changed for the worse.

Abstract subject 'the language itself'.

They suffered the consequences of their hubris for generations.

Their pride caused problems for their children and grandchildren.

Sophisticated noun 'hubris'.

常见搭配

suffer from

suffer a loss

suffer a defeat

suffer an injury

suffer in silence

suffer the consequences

suffer a setback

suffer greatly

suffer a heart attack

suffer from a lack of

常用短语

suffer through

suffer for

make someone suffer

suffer under

suffer with

suffer a change

suffer no fools

suffer the fate of

suffer a blow

suffer a decline

容易混淆的词

suffer vs feel

'Feel' is general; 'suffer' is specifically for negative or painful experiences.

suffer vs have

'Have' is a simple fact; 'suffer' emphasizes the distress caused by the condition.

suffer vs hurt

'Hurt' is more informal and direct; 'suffer' is often used for longer-term or more serious pain.

习语与表达

"suffer in silence"

To experience pain or trouble without telling anyone or complaining. It suggests a private and often brave struggle.

She suffered in silence for years before finally seeking help.

General

"suffer the consequences"

To face the negative results of one's own actions or decisions. It is a warning about responsibility.

If you don't study, you will have to suffer the consequences.

General

"suffer fools gladly"

To be patient with people who are considered annoying or not very smart. It is almost always used in the negative.

He was a brilliant man, but he did not suffer fools gladly.

Formal/Literary

"suffer a sea change"

To undergo a complete and profound transformation. This comes from Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'.

The industry has suffered a sea change due to new technology.

Literary

"suffer the slings and arrows"

To endure the various problems and difficulties that life brings. This is a reference to Hamlet.

As a politician, she had to suffer the slings and arrows of the media.

Literary

"suffer a heart of stone"

To be completely unfeeling or uncaring about the pain of others. It describes a lack of empathy.

Only someone with a heart of stone could watch that child suffer.

Literary/Emphatic

"suffer for one's art"

The idea that an artist must experience pain or poverty to create great work. It is a common cultural trope.

The young painter was happy to suffer for his art in a cold studio.

General/Cultural

"suffer the brunt of"

To experience the worst part of something bad, like an attack or a disaster. It focuses on the most intense impact.

The coastal towns suffered the brunt of the hurricane.

General/Formal

"suffer an embarrassment of riches"

To have so much of something good that it becomes a problem or is difficult to choose. It is a paradoxical idiom.

The team has so many talented players they suffer an embarrassment of riches.

General/Journalistic

"suffer a lapse"

To experience a temporary failure in something like memory, judgment, or behavior. It implies it is not permanent.

He suffered a lapse in judgment and made a poor decision.

Formal/General

容易混淆

suffer vs endure

Both mean to go through something bad.

'Endure' often implies patience or strength over a long period. 'Suffer' focuses more on the pain itself.

He endured the cold for hours. He is suffering from the cold.

suffer vs tolerate

Both involve dealing with something unpleasant.

'Tolerate' means to allow or put up with something annoying. 'Suffer' means to be hurt by it.

I can't tolerate his behavior. She is suffering because of his behavior.

suffer vs undergo

Both mean to experience something.

'Undergo' is more neutral and often used for processes or treatments. 'Suffer' is always negative.

He underwent surgery. He suffered from the disease.

suffer vs sustain

Both are used for injuries in formal contexts.

'Sustain' is very formal and often used in legal or medical reports. 'Suffer' is more common and emotional.

The victim sustained multiple injuries. The victim suffered greatly.

suffer vs experience

Both mean to go through an event.

'Experience' can be positive or negative. 'Suffer' is only for negative experiences.

I experienced a great day. I suffered a bad day.

句型

I suffer from [noun].

I suffer from a headache.

[Subject] suffered a [noun].

He suffered a broken leg.

[Subject] suffers from a lack of [noun].

The garden suffers from a lack of water.

[Subject] suffered through [noun].

We suffered through the long flight.

[Subject] will suffer the consequences of [noun].

He will suffer the consequences of his actions.

The quality of [noun] suffered because [clause].

The quality of the work suffered because he was tired.

[Subject] suffered the loss of [noun].

She suffered the loss of her home in the fire.

[Subject] suffered the [noun] of [noun].

He suffered the ignominy of defeat.

词族

名词

动词

形容词

如何使用

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written English.

常见错误

He suffers a cold. → He is suffering from a cold.
When talking about an illness, you must use the preposition 'from'.
The company suffered from a loss of $1 million. → The company suffered a loss of $1 million.
For specific events like financial losses, 'suffer' is used as a transitive verb without 'from'.
The suffer of the people was great. → The suffering of the people was great.
You must use the noun 'suffering' instead of the verb 'suffer' when it is the subject of the sentence.
I suffered a broken pencil. → My pencil broke.
Using 'suffer' for very minor, trivial things sounds too dramatic and unnatural.
She suffers of allergies. → She suffers from allergies.
The correct preposition to use with 'suffer' for conditions is 'from', not 'of'.

小贴士

Use 'from' for conditions

Always use 'suffer from' when talking about an illness, a disease, or a long-term problem like stress or allergies. This is the most common mistake for learners.

Suffer vs. Have

Use 'suffer' when you want to emphasize that the condition is painful or causing a lot of trouble. 'I have a cold' is a fact; 'I am suffering from a cold' shows you feel really bad.

Business English

In a professional setting, use 'suffer' to describe negative trends. Phrases like 'suffer a decline' or 'suffer a setback' are very common in reports and meetings.

Suffer in silence

This is a great phrase to use when someone is dealing with a problem alone. It shows you understand their situation is difficult and private.

Don't over-dramatize

Avoid using 'suffer' for very small things like a broken pencil or a tiny scratch. It can make you sound too dramatic. Use 'broke' or 'hurt' instead.

Suffer a heart attack

Note that for sudden medical events like a heart attack or a stroke, we use 'suffer' as a transitive verb without 'from'. 'He suffered a heart attack'.

Suffer through

Use 'through' for events that take time and are unpleasant. 'We suffered through the storm' or 'We suffered through the boring play'.

Suffering vs. Sufferer

A 'sufferer' is a person who has a condition (e.g., an allergy sufferer). 'Suffering' is the pain itself. Make sure you use the right noun for your sentence.

Use 'Endure' for strength

If you want to focus on how brave or strong someone is while they are in pain, 'endure' is often a better word than 'suffer'.

Serious tone

Remember that 'suffer' is a serious word. Use it when you want to convey that a situation is grave or that someone is in real distress.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of a 'sub' (under) 'ferry' (carrying) a heavy load. You are 'suffering' because you are 'bearing' that heavy load 'under' you.

视觉联想

Imagine someone carrying a very heavy backpack that says 'PAIN' on it. They are walking slowly and look tired. They are 'suffering' under the weight.

Word Web

pain illness hardship endure distress grief loss decline

挑战

Try to write three sentences using 'suffer': one about a health problem, one about a sports team losing, and one about a plant that needs water.

词源

The word 'suffer' comes from the Old French word 'souffrir', which was derived from the Latin word 'sufferre'. This Latin word is a combination of two parts: 'sub', meaning 'under', and 'ferre', meaning 'to bear' or 'to carry'. Therefore, the original literal meaning was 'to bear up under' or 'to carry from below'.

原始含义： To bear, endure, or carry a burden from underneath.

Indo-European (Latin -> Romance -> English)

文化背景

Be careful when using 'suffer' to describe people with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Some people prefer 'living with' a condition rather than 'suffering from' it, as 'suffer' can sound like they are victims.

In English-speaking countries, 'suffer' is often used in medical and charity contexts to evoke empathy and encourage donations.

Shakespeare's Hamlet: 'To suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.' The Bible: 'Suffer little children to come unto me.' (Here 'suffer' means 'allow'). The phrase 'The Suffering Artist' refers to the idea that pain creates better art.

在生活中练习

真实语境

Medical/Health

suffer from symptoms
suffer a heart attack
suffer from a disease
suffer chronic pain

Business/Economy

suffer a financial loss
suffer a decline in sales
suffer from lack of investment
suffer a setback

Sports/Competition

suffer a defeat
suffer an injury
suffer a blow to chances
suffer a loss

Emotional/Personal

suffer from loneliness
suffer in silence
suffer a broken heart
suffer through a breakup

General/Environmental

suffer in the heat
suffer from neglect
suffer damage
suffer the consequences

对话开场白

"Have you ever suffered from a really bad cold or the flu?"

"Do you think it's better to suffer in silence or talk about your problems?"

"What's the most boring movie you've ever had to suffer through?"

"Has your favorite sports team suffered any big losses recently?"

"Do you think people suffer more from stress today than in the past?"

日记主题

Describe a time when you suffered from a physical injury. How did you feel and how did you recover?

Write about a situation where you had to suffer through something very boring. What was it and why was it so bad?

Think about a time when a project or a hobby suffered because you didn't have enough time for it. What happened?

Do you agree with the idea that we must suffer to become stronger? Why or why not?

Write a story about a character who suffers a great loss but eventually finds happiness again.

常见问题

10 个问题

No, 'suffer' is followed by 'from' when talking about a disease or chronic condition. However, when talking about a specific event like an injury or a loss, you use it as a transitive verb without 'from'. For example, 'suffer a broken arm' or 'suffer a defeat'.

It is better to say 'I have a headache' or 'I am suffering from a headache'. 'I suffer a headache' sounds unnatural to native speakers because headaches are usually treated as conditions you 'have' or 'suffer from'.

'Suffer' is the verb (the action), while 'suffering' is the noun (the state of being in pain). For example: 'He suffers' (verb) vs 'His suffering was great' (noun). 'Suffering' can also be the present participle of the verb: 'He is suffering'.

It can be both. In medical and business contexts, it is quite formal. However, it is also used in everyday conversation to talk about health or to complain about boring things, where it is more neutral or even informal.

Yes, 'suffer' is often used metaphorically for non-human things. A business can 'suffer a loss', and a garden can 'suffer from a lack of water'. This means they are being negatively affected by something.

This is a common idiom meaning to experience pain or problems without telling anyone or complaining. It often implies that the person is being brave or doesn't want to bother others with their troubles.

Use 'suffer through' when you have to endure something that is long and very boring or unpleasant, like a bad movie, a long meeting, or a difficult class. For example: 'We suffered through the three-hour lecture'.

'Suffer' is a regular verb. Its past tense and past participle are both 'suffered'. The present participle is 'suffering' and the third-person singular is 'suffers'.

Yes, but this is a very old-fashioned or formal use. You might see it in the Bible ('Suffer little children to come unto me') or in the phrase 'suffer fools gladly'. In modern English, we almost always use 'allow' or 'let' instead.

Common adverbs include 'greatly', 'immensely', 'severely', 'silently', and 'terribly'. These are used to show how much someone is suffering. For example: 'The victims suffered terribly after the earthquake'.