verb

erleiden

suffer

Etwas Negatives erfahren, das einem körperlich oder seelisch wehtut.

Definition & meaning

erleiden is a transitive verb that refers to the act of undergoing, suffering, or sustaining something unpleasant, painful, or negative. It is typically used in formal or elevated contexts to describe experiences such as losses, injuries, failures, or emotional distress.

Common usage examples include:

Sustaining an injury (e.g., a broken leg).
Suffering a defeat or a loss (e.g., in sports or business).
Enduring a stroke or a heart attack.

Grammar & Word origin

erleiden is a strong, irregular verb (leiden – litt – gelitten).

The word is composed of the prefix er- and the root verb leiden .

The prefix er- in this context indicates the successful completion or the result of a process, often implying a state that is brought upon someone involuntarily.
The root leiden relates to the experience of pain or hardship.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

durchmachen : to go through or experience something.
erdulden : to endure or bear something.
hinnehmen : to accept or put up with something (often negative).
ertragen : to tolerate or stand something.
erfahren : to experience something.

Antonyms:

genießen : to enjoy something.
erfolgreich sein : to be successful.
überstehen : to survive or overcome something (while erleiden focuses on the start of the suffering, überstehen focuses on the successful end of it).