Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'suffer'

English Word: suffer

Key Russian Translations:

• страдать [ˈstradatʲ] - [Formal, commonly used in literary and everyday contexts]
• мучиться [ˈmutʲitɕsʲa] - [Informal, emphasizes intense suffering or torment]
• претерпевать [prʲɪˈtʲɛrpʲɪvatʲ] - [Formal, used in more technical or historical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in Russian literature, media, and daily conversations, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "быть" or "иметь").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR standards; involves understanding verb conjugations and nuances, which can vary by translation—e.g., "страдать" is straightforward for intermediates, while "претерпевать" may require advanced knowledge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

страдать: [ˈstradatʲ] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'т' is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian verbs.)

мучиться: [ˈmutʲitɕsʲa] (Reflexive verb; note the soft 'ч' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

претерпевать: [prʲɪˈtʲɛrpʲɪvatʲ] (Stress on the third syllable; pay attention to the initial consonant cluster.)

Note on страдать: The verb has a soft ending in some forms, which affects pronunciation; practice with native speakers to master the palatalization.

Note on мучиться: This is a reflexive verb (ends in -ся), so the pronunciation includes a slight emphasis on the reflexive particle.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To experience physical or emotional pain

Translation(s) & Context:

• страдать - Used in contexts of enduring hardship, illness, or emotional distress (e.g., in personal stories or medical discussions).
• мучиться - Applied to more intense, ongoing suffering, often informal (e.g., in casual conversations about daily struggles).

Usage Examples:

• Он страдает от сильной головной боли уже несколько дней.

  He has been suffering from a severe headache for several days.

• Дети мучаются от холода зимой, если не одеты тепло.

  Children suffer from the cold in winter if they are not dressed warmly.

• Она страдает от потери близкого человека и не может сосредоточиться.

  She is suffering from the loss of a loved one and can't focus.

• Война заставляет людей мучиться годами после окончания.

  War makes people suffer for years after it ends.

To endure or tolerate something unpleasant

Translation(s) & Context:

• претерпевать - Used in formal or historical contexts, implying passive endurance (e.g., in philosophical or legal discussions).
• страдать - In broader contexts, like accepting inconvenience (e.g., in everyday life).

Usage Examples:

• Народ претерпевает экономические трудности из-за инфляции.

  The people are suffering through economic hardships due to inflation.

• Я страдаю от шума соседей, но терплю, чтобы не ссориться.

  I suffer from the neighbors' noise but endure it to avoid conflict.

• Спортсмены претерпевают интенсивные тренировки, чтобы добиться успеха.

  Athletes suffer through intense training to achieve success.

• Она страдает от скуки на этой работе, но остается из-за стабильности.

  She suffers from boredom at this job but stays for the stability.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations like "страдать" and "мучиться" are verbs, which follow regular conjugation patterns in Russian. "Претерпевать" is also a verb but can be less common. Below is a table for "страдать" as an example; similar patterns apply to others with slight variations.

For "мучиться" (reflexive), it adds "-ся" to each form, e.g., Present: мучаюсь, мучаешься. "Претерпевать" follows a similar pattern but is irregular in some aspects due to its prefix. These verbs do not change in gender or number in the infinitive form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • терпеть (to endure; similar to "страдать" but implies more patience).
  • испытывать (to experience; used for broader sensations, often less intense).
• Antonyms:
  • наслаждаться (to enjoy; directly opposite in emotional context).
  • радоваться (to rejoice; implies positive endurance or outcome).

Related Phrases:

• Страдать от голода (Suffer from hunger; used in contexts of deprivation or famine).
• Мучиться совестью (Torment of conscience; refers to moral or ethical suffering).
• Претерпевать поражения (Endure defeats; common in historical or sports narratives).

Usage Notes:

"Страдать" is the most direct equivalent to "suffer" in English and is versatile for both physical and emotional contexts, but it's more formal than "мучиться," which conveys a sense of agony and is better for informal speech. Choose "претерпевать" for situations involving prolonged or historical endurance, such as in literature. Be mindful of Russian's aspect system: "страдать" is imperfective, so pair it with perfective verbs like "пострадать" for completed actions. In formal writing, these verbs often appear in the past tense to describe experiences.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "страдать" with "мучиться": English learners might overuse "мучиться" in formal contexts. Incorrect: "Я мучаюсь в работе" (overly dramatic). Correct: "Я страдаю на работе" (more neutral). Explanation: "Мучиться" implies extreme torment, so reserve it for intense scenarios.

• Forgetting reflexive forms: For "мучиться," always include "-ся." Incorrect: "Я мучу" (grammatically wrong). Correct: "Я мучаюсь." Explanation: This is a reflexive verb, and omitting the particle changes the meaning entirely.

• Misapplying conjugations: Learners often mix up past tense genders. Incorrect: "Она страдал" (for feminine subject). Correct: "Она страдала." Explanation: Russian verbs agree with the subject's gender in the past tense.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "страдать" carry deep connotations from literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works often depict profound suffering as a path to redemption). This reflects a historical emphasis on endurance through hardship, influenced by events like wars and revolutions, making these terms more emotionally charged than their English counterparts.

Related Concepts:

• боль (pain)
• несчастье (misfortune)
• терпение (patience)