German word

schmerzlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃmɛɐ̯t͡slɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectivepainful

Example

Die Trennung war schmerzlich für sie.

The separation was painful for her.

Illustration for schmerzlich (painful)

More examples

Es war schmerzlich, die Fehler noch einmal besprechen zu müssen.

It was painful to have to discuss the mistakes again.

Core concept

A wound in the feelings that makes a loss, setback, or piece of news hard to bear.

Common phrases

  • als schmerzlich erleben

    experience as painful

  • es ist schmerzlich, etwas zu verlieren

    It is painful to lose something

Similar words

traurig: Feeling sad or lonely in an ordinary, general sense.
schmerzhaft: Causing physical pain through an injury, touch, or bodily condition.
wehmütig: Longing wistfully for the past or for someone who is gone.

Definition in German

Bezeichnet Nachrichten oder Situationen, die Bedauern und inneren Leidensdruck auslösen.

Word origin

The adjective schmerzlich is formed from Schmerz ('pain') with the inherited German adjective suffix -lich.

Usage tips

  • Schmerzlich is more formal and emotionally weighty than ordinary traurig, and it commonly describes losses, experiences, or news rather than physical injuries.

Other meanings

  • distressingadjective
  • heartbreakingadjective

Opposites

  • schmerzlospainlessadjective

Related words

  • schmerzhaftpainfuladjective
  • schmerzerfülltfull of painadjective

Word lists with this word