leiden
suffer
Wenn jemand Schmerzen hat oder sich sehr schlecht fühlt, zum Beispiel wegen einer Krankheit oder Traurigkeit.
Definition & meaning
leiden is a German verb meaning to suffer, to be in pain, or to be adversely affected by something.
- Physical or emotional suffering:
Sie leidet unter starken Schmerzen. — “She is suffering from severe pain.” - Being affected by a condition or circumstance:
Er leidet an einer chronischen Krankheit. — “He suffers from a chronic illness.” - To endure or tolerate something:
Das kann ich nicht leiden. — “I can’t stand that.”
This expression can also mean “I don’t like that/person,” especially in colloquial speech.
The related noun das Leiden means “suffering” or “affliction.”
Grammar & Word origin
leiden is an irregular strong verb:
- Infinitive: leiden
- Present: ich leide, du leidest, er/sie leidet
- Simple past: ich litt
- Past participle: gelitten
- Perfect: ich habe gelitten
Common constructions include:
- an etwas leiden — to suffer from a disease or condition
an Asthma leiden — to suffer from asthma - unter etwas leiden — to suffer because of something or someone
unter Stress leiden — to suffer from stress - etwas/jemanden nicht leiden können — not to be able to stand or like something/someone
Historically, leiden is related to das Leid , meaning “sorrow,” “distress,” or “suffering.” It originally had the sense of undergoing or experiencing something.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- erleiden — to suffer or undergo something, usually an unpleasant event or consequence; it is more specific and often more formal than leiden .
einen Verlust erleiden — to suffer a loss - Schmerzen haben — literally “to have pain”; this refers specifically to physical pain, whereas leiden is broader.
- dulden — to tolerate or put up with something; it emphasizes accepting something unpleasant rather than suffering because of it.
- aushalten — to endure or withstand something; it focuses on the ability to continue despite difficulty.
- geplagt sein — to be plagued or troubled by something; it is often more expressive than leiden .
Antonyms
The opposite depends on the meaning:
- genießen — to enjoy something; this contrasts with suffering or experiencing something negatively.
- sich wohlfühlen — to feel well or comfortable; this is the opposite of being physically or emotionally afflicted.
- gesund sein — to be healthy; this is an antonym when leiden refers to an illness.
- mögen — to like; this contrasts with the colloquial expression nicht leiden können [ ? ](vocabuo://word/leiden können).
Common phrases & collocations
- an einer Krankheit leiden — to suffer from an illness
- unter Stress leiden — to suffer from stress
- unter Schlafmangel leiden — to suffer from lack of sleep
- unter den Folgen leiden — to suffer from the consequences
- sehr darunter leiden — to suffer greatly because of it
- jemanden nicht leiden können [ ? ](vocabuo://word/leiden können) — not to be able to stand or like someone
- etwas nicht leiden können [ ? ](vocabuo://word/leiden können) — not to be able to stand or like something
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Examples
Ich leide an Migräne.verb
I suffer from migraines.
Er kann unter starken Kopfschmerzen leiden.verb
He can suffer from severe headaches.
Er leidet oft unter starken Kopfschmerzen.verb
He often suffers from severe headaches.
Er leidet an einer seltenen Krankheit.verb
He suffers from a rare disease.
Viele Menschen leiden oft an Allergien.verb
Many people often suffer from allergies.
Sie leiden an einer seltenen Krankheit.verb
They suffer from a rare disease.
Hast du jemals im Stillen darunter gelitten, nicht verstanden zu werden?verb
Have you ever silently suffered from not being understood?
Viele Menschen litten während des Krieges an Hunger.verb
Many people suffered from hunger during the war.
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