German word

leiden

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈlaɪ̯dn̩/

Meaning

  • verbsuffer

Example

Er leidet an starken Kopfschmerzen.

He is suffering from severe headaches.

Illustration for leiden (suffer)

More examples

Viele ältere Menschen leiden an Einsamkeit.

Many older people suffer from loneliness.

Core concept

A person moves through daily life under a persistent burden that wears down body or mind.

Common phrases

  • leiden an Depressionen

    suffer from depression

  • leiden an Allergien

    suffer from allergies

  • leiden an Einsamkeit

    suffer from loneliness

Similar words

wehtun: To hurt, especially when referring to a particular part of the body.
schmerzen: To have persistent pain or uncomfortable sensations in a part of the body.
ertragen: To endure pain or hardship without giving in.
aushalten: To keep going despite intense discomfort or pain.

Definition in German

körperlichen oder seelischen Schmerz empfinden; an einer Krankheit oder Belastung leiden

Word origin

The verb is inherited from Old High German līdan and is historically related to German Leid, meaning suffering.

Usage tips

  • For an illness or physical symptom, leiden commonly takes an + dative, as in an starken Kopfschmerzen leiden.

Other meanings

  • be afflicted withverb
  • be troubled byverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Leidensufferingnoun
  • leidvollanguishedadjective

Word lists with this word