noun
die Qual, -en
torment
starker seelischer oder körperlicher Schmerz, der lange anhält.
The German word "Qual" is a noun meaning torment, agony, or anguish.
- It stands alone (not a compound), and its root reflects intense suffering or severe pain, often both physical and mental.
Similar words:
- Schmerz – pain (physical sensation)
- Leid – suffering, distress (broader, can be emotional)
- Marter – torment or torture (more archaic or intense)
Differences:
- Qual usually emphasizes extreme, enduring agony.
- Schmerz refers more to direct physical pain.
- Leid conveys a broader sense of suffering, including emotional or existential hardship.
- Marter is stronger and more literary, often meaning deliberate torture.
In short, "Qual" connotes intense distress above just physical pain or general suffering.
Make “Qual” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Die lange Wartezeit war eine Qual für alle.noun
The long waiting time was a torment for everyone.
Nach dem Marathon erinnerten sie sich an alle Qualen, die sie überstanden hatten.noun
After the marathon they remembered all the torments they had endured.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad