sufrir

Sufrir is a Spanish verb meaning to endure pain, hardship, or an undesirable condition; to experience something negative that affects one’s wellbeing. It can refer to physical pain, emotional distress, or material harm, and it is used with direct objects as well as with phrases like “sufrir de” to indicate a condition. Examples include “sufrir una enfermedad” (to suffer from an illness), “sufrir daños” (to suffer damages), “sufrir pérdidas” (to suffer losses), and “sufrir de hambre” (to suffer hunger).

Etymology: The verb comes from Latin sufferre (to bear under, undergo), via Old Spanish, and is cognate with the English verb suffer.

Conjugation: Sufrir is a regular -ir verb. Present indicative: sufro, sufres, sufre, sufrimos, sufrís, sufren. Preterite: sufrí, sufriste, sufrió, sufrimos, sufristeis, sufrieron. Imperfect: sufría, sufrías, sufría, sufríamos, sufríais, sufrían. Subjunctive present: sufra, sufras, sufra, suframos, sufráis, sufran. Imperatives: sufre, sufra, sufrid, sufran. Participio: sufrido; gerund: sufriendo.

Usage notes: “Sufrir” emphasizes the experience and endurance of a condition; “padecer” is more formal or literario and can emphasize the affliction itself. It can take “de” to indicate a disease or cause (e.g., “sufrir de asma,” “sufrir de una enfermedad”). Common collocations include “sufrir daños,” “sufrir pérdidas,” “sufrir un accidente,” “sufrir de hambre,” “sufrir por alguien.” The noun form is “sufrimiento”; related adjectives include “insufrible” (unbearable) and the less common “sufrible” (bearable).