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"Sufrir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to suffer", and "padecer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to suffer from". Learn more about the difference between "sufrir" and "padecer" below.
sufrir(
soo
-
freer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to suffer
No puede comer pastel porque sufre de diabetes.He can't eat cake because he suffers from diabetes.
Mejor corta comunicación con él, no quieres que sufra más.You'd better cut off communication with him, you don't want him to suffer anymore.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to endure)
a. to suffer
Nuestro ejército sufrió el ataque a medianoche.Our army suffered the attack at midnight.
b. to have
Sufrieron un accidente cuando volvían a casa.They had an accident when they were coming back home.
c. to undergo (surgery)
Sufrió una operación y ahora tiene que descansar.He underwent surgery and now he has to rest.
padecer(
pah
-
deh
-
sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (general)
a. to suffer from
Es una lástima que todavía haya gente que padezca hambre en este mundo.It is a shame that there are still people who suffer from hunger in this world.
a. to endure
Hace años que padece su mal comportamiento.She has been enduring his bad behavior for years.
b. to put up with
Tiene que padecer las críticas de su padre a diario.He has to put up with his father's criticism every day.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
