Translation guide
How to express that someone experiences or is afflicted by something negative, such as an illness, condition, or hardship.
To say someone has or is afflicted by a disease, disorder, or chronic condition.
Used for serious or chronic illnesses. Often used in written or formal contexts.
He suffers from cancer.
Used for contracting an illness, often acute or infectious. Can be used in past tense to describe current suffering.
She is suffering from the flu.
Emphasizes the pain or distress caused by the illness. More emotional.
He has been suffering from back pain for years.
Literally 'to carry/hold', used for ongoing conditions or problems, including mental health issues.
She suffers from severe allergies.
To express suffering from psychological issues like depression, anxiety, or trauma.
To describe suffering from poverty, discrimination, consequences, etc.
General pattern for suffering from abstract hardships.
The country suffers from poverty.
Passive form of 悩む, often used for being plagued by persistent problems.
The area suffers from floods.
Used for suffering negative effects or damage.
He suffers from discrimination.
To say someone experiences negative effects from medication, treatment, or a condition.
The English phrase 'suffer from' is often not directly translated. Japanese prefers specific verbs or patterns depending on the type of suffering. Using a generic equivalent like 苦しむ for everything can sound unnatural.
患う (wazurau) is used for serious, often chronic illnesses, while 罹る (kakaru) is for contracting infectious diseases or acute conditions. 罹る is more common in everyday speech for colds, flu, etc.
He suffers from high blood pressure.
Many elderly people suffer from loneliness.
Many people suffer from anxiety disorders.